Colour through watercolour and acrylic
Weekend-long practical course
25 May 2019 10.30am - 5.30pm26 May 2019 10.30am - 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Terms and conditions
This intensive weekend course explores methods and techniques of watercolour and acrylic paints and the power of colour.
How we perceive colour is a highly emotive and personal aspect of painting. Subtle shifts in the transparency, lustre or viscosity of the paint which can result in significantly different visual experiences.
In painting, what we experience and respond to as viewers in a matter of moments has often been carefully crafted over a considerable time by the artist. Painters learn how to handle tools and materials in order to use colour in an expressive way.
Through experimenting with watercolour and acrylic paints participants will gain insight into the role and nature of colour. Working spontaneously as well as by using learning strategies, participants are introduced to inventive watercolour and acrylic techniques and confident paint handling. Throughout this course participants explore what colour is and what can be done with it using watercolour and acrylic.
Such explorations in colour can produce thought-provoking results, exciting as works of art in their own right, but can also inform your future decision making with colour painting. Each session is carefully structured and timed to enable participants to reflect and respond in more personal ways to their own use of colour.
As well as providing opportunity to paint, participants will be introduced to key historical developments in the use of colour by artists from around the world. They will have special access to the RA's wonderful archive collection and discover further insights into the use of colour by looking at original works of art and experiments in colour.
In this intense weekend course, systematic and expressive approaches to the use of colour are explored as well as the importance of surface, colour theory and the potential of colour layering.
Day one will explore:
- Colour theory: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary colour, earths, tints and tones
- The use of colour in the past and across cultures
- The layering of colour and how to decide which colours complement each other
Day two will explore
- Experimental techniques with acrylic paint
- Abstract painting
- How to modify ambitious and take risks when using colours
- Scale and contrast
- Key works of art, seen from a fresh perspective
About the course
This weekend-long course will explore methods, tools and techniques of watercolour and acrylic painting. Participants will explore the versatility of both medium through the practical application of techniques introduced by artist and teacher, Emyr Williams.
Participants will be encouraged to explore the various possibilities that colour presents.
There will be opportunity for informal discussion and one-to-one feedback with the tutor throughout the weekend.
Participants are advised to bring something to carry their work home in, as there are no storage facilities available.
This course is suitable for all levels of experience, including beginners.
This course is for you if:
• You are a beginner with an interest in working with colour
• You have some prior knowledge of painting and would like to extend your skills in watercolour and acrylic painting
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to abstract painting
• You would like the opportunity to develop your skills and ideas in a small group in the historic setting of the Royal Academy’s historic Life Room
Minimum age 18
The number of participants is strictly limited to enable detailed feedback from the course tutor.
£480
Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 May 2019
10.30am-5.30pm on both days
Includes:
• An introduction to watercolour and acrylics with reference to works from the RA Collection
• Exclusive access to the RA Schools' historic Life Room
• All practical materials and equipment
• Refreshments provided on both days
• A drinks reception at the end of the first day
• A certificate of participation upon course completion
About the tutor
Emyr Williams
Emyr Williams is an abstract painter who has exhibited in the UK, Europe and North America. His work has won awards and is held in many public, corporate and private collections worldwide. He has led classes and lectured in schools, colleges and universities in the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia, including many courses and classes at the Royal Academy. Emyr also writes about art. He was a regular contributor to Abstract Critical and has written for the RA Magazine. He currently writes for Abcrit, contributes a regular feature for the specialist art website Instantloveland.com and has a new book titled Abstract Painting and Abstraction, published in 2017 by Crowood Press.
About the space
The Life Room
The Royal Academy’s historic Life Room sits at the heart of the RA Schools. Usually closed to the public, this unique and significant space was designed in the 1860s, when the galleries and art school first moved to Burlington Gardens.
The semi-circular seating arrangement, based on an ancient design, traces its British history back to Hogarth’s Academy in St Martin’s Lane, c.1730. Directional light is used to enhance the delineation of the model’s musculature and aid life drawing, which has been practised in this room by generations of Royal Academy artists and students.
Our courses and classes programme
Our programme of short courses and classes offers the opportunity to explore a range of subjects, led by expert tutors and practising artists.
Give this course as a gift
All of our courses can be purchased as a gift for a friend or family member – giving the gift of education and a remarkable experience. To arrange a personalised Gift Voucher, please contact Anna Pojer, Academic Programmes Manager, by calling 020 7300 5684 or email anna.pojer@royalacademy.org.uk