RGA Fridays

Monoprinting using a mangle as a press is a fun way to make dynamic images. Each print will be unique as the image created is a one off. The ink is rolled thinly all over an acrylic sheet and wiped until the image is created, known as subtractive method.

Alternatively, the image can be created by adding the ink with a brush or roller, then modified by wiping, this is known as the additive method.

Firstly, using mono colour and natural land and seascape for reference to familiarise with the techniques. Then moving to colour and some layering to show another variation of this method.

What to bring:

• Table covering (e.g. newspaper).
• Apron or old shirt.
• Sketch pad.
• Pencils for planning.

The following will be provided:

• Ink.
• Printing paper.
• Disposable gloves.
• Wipes.

There will be an additional charge of £3 on the day for paper and other materials provided by the tutor.

No doubt you have tried line and wash before, but we are going to use a relaxing and forgiving scribbled line to enjoy the creative freedom it gives us. Please choose any animal or bird you wish to draw. This technique is also great for human portraits. It’s up to you if you wish to add watercolour or washes of ink to your work.

Learning points:

• Injecting fun and character into line work.
• Giving a role to both line work and watercolour.

What to bring:

• Reference image of your choice – please print it out and bring. Working off your phone is not as easy.
• A few sheets of copier paper to practice your scribble on.
• NOT (cold pressed) paper if you wish to add watercolour, otherwise heavy cartridge paper
• Pencil and eraser.
• Waterproof black fineliner pens 0.3-0.5mm. You may wish to have a variety of widths if you wish to vary the line weight eg 0.2, 0.5, 0.8mm.
• Watercolour paints and supplies if you wish to add colour to your work (you can leave it monochrome) e.g. round watercolour brush size 8 and 16 (with a good point), small flat brush for lifting, water pots, spray bottle, palette, kitchen towel.
• Table covering (e.g. newspaper).

During this workshop we will paint a series of four small studies of sweets in different stages of being unwrapped. We will use watercolours and either pen or pencil to add line work and details, plus a white pen for highlights. I suggest we work in a small concertina format, but if you prefer to work on four small sheets or paper or one larger piece of paper that’s fine.

What to bring:

• Watercolour paints – pans or tubes.
• Mixing palette or plate.
• Watercolour brushes – small round brushes are ideal, as the paintings will be quite small.
• Watercolour paper if required (see below).
• Water jar.
• Kitchen towel.
• Waterproof fine black pen.
• Pencil and eraser.
• Newspaper/table covering.

The following will be provided:

• Watercolour paper trimmed and folded into a four page concertina, one per person.
• Wrapped sweets to paint (and eat!). If you have your own favourite wrapped sweets please feel free to bring those.
• White POSCA paint pen for highlights. If you have your own please bring it.
• Coloured pencils.
• Coloured paper and fabric for backdrops.
• A hairdryer.

There will be an additional charge of £1 on the day for paper and other materials provided by the tutor.

You will be given a short poem to illustrate to explore the art of visual storytelling. Using your imagination and your creativity you will make a series of images and experiment with placing them on the page to tell the story. Some reference images relevant to the poem will be provided.

What to bring:

• Pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener.
• Paper cutting scissors or scalpel if preferred.
• Watercolours or gouache, a palette, brushes, water pot/s.
• Apron/overall
• Table covering [e.g. newspaper]
• Paper for collage if you have any that you would like to use.

A selection of paper, coloured pencils, soft and oil pastels will be provided. As will glue sticks and a selection of stencils and some collage papers

There will be an additional charge of £5 on the day for paper and other materials provided by the tutor.

We will be using flat brushes, a smooth board, water-mixable oils and only three colours to explore the potential of a limited palette. This approach not only helps you improve your painting by forcing you to think about colour and how you mix it, it also creates a harmony in your work with paintings feeling balanced and harmonious, with all the colours naturally relating to one another. Hopefully, you will be inspired by your results to try this limited palette approach in your own work.

You will be working from life. Your subject will be an apple (interesting subject when cut in half) or other piece of fruit or vegetable that inspires you. Your painting will fill the smooth gesso board provided.

What to bring:

• A red skinned apple or other fruit or vegetable.
• A few flat synthetic brushes (eg 0, 2, 4), not bristle brushes.
• A palette knife.
• A paper palette and a box to take your work home in.
• A roll of paper towel.
• A jar for water.
• Table covering (e.g. newspaper).

The following will be provided:

• 8″ x 8″ smooth gesso board.
• Water-mixable oils.

There will be an additional charge of £5 on the day for materials provided by the tutor.