WEA courses

A new way of seeing human beings and their environment; the end of the middle ages and the birth of modern Europe, the discovery of the ‘New World’; fresh insights into faith and the upheaval that created; and a new way of doing art. This study day investigates Renaissance art in Southern and Northern Europe and traces the birth and development of the Reformation. The art of Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael and van Eyck and the thought of Luther and Calvin together with the reforms of Henry VIII all feature in this extensively illustrated study day.

Ranging from the satirical, even salacious, scenes of William Hogarth, through the often shocking socio-political criticism of Georg Grosz's work during the Weimar Republic, to the state-controlled art of Soviet Socialist Realism, this course explores the power of art to criticize and/or celebrate the social and political developments of their times No previous experience is necessary  - just a lively, open-minded interest in art! Topics to be covered will include the works of William Hogarth, Gustave Courbet, Jean-Francois Millet, Georg Grosz and Otto Dix; the works of the American Ashcan School (c1890-1914) and Soviet Socialist Realism (1930-); and the social, cultural and political context in which these works were produced.

This is a practical art course for those new to creating artwork and people with some experience. The course will introduce you to basic painting and drawing techniques. During the sessions your tutor will help you develop your skills in sketching, painting and using mixed media such as collage. You will also look at the work of famous painters from the past and contemporary artists. Students will learn about artists’ ideas and be encouraged to discuss and talk about their own personal artwork and inspiration for it. Some resources will be available but please do bring sketch pad and pencil, and any watercolours, and brushes.

Each week we focus on a classic work of fiction, reading and discussing key passages. The texts include short novels which can be read in one week, and longer novels which we’ll study over two weeks. The course is organised chronologically and spans over130 years, from the late 19th century to modern times. We begin with Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey and end with Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. We’ll share and debate interpretations, sharpen our critical and appreciative faculties, understand what fiction can tell us about the society and culture that produced it, and, hopefully, be inspired to read other works by the writers featured on the course.

Ranging from the satirical, even salacious, scenes of William Hogarth, through the often shocking socio-political criticism of Georg Grosz's work during the Weimar Republic, to the state-controlled art of Soviet Socialist Realism, this course explores the power of art to criticize and/or celebrate the social and political developments of their times. No previous experience is necessary  - just a lively, open-minded interest in art! On this seven week course, topics to be covered will include the work of William Hogarth, Gustave Courbet, Jean-Francois Millet, Georg Grosz and Otto Dix; and also the works of the American Ashcan School (c1890-1914) and Soviet Socialist Realism (1930-); and the social, cultural and political context in which these works were produced.

This course will help you understand watercolour techniques interrelated with drawing skills, and in connection with inspiring examples in art history. It will help you learn classical techniques in a subtle way, by relating them to examples by various masters of drawing and watercolour (such as Dürer, Turner or Cezanne) and contemporary artists (such as David Hockney or Anselm Kiefer). If you would like to have a fresh view of watercolour painting and drawing, and learn how to achieve expressivity by carefully combining techniques such as glazing, graded wash or cross-hatching, this course will offer you an overview and will inspire personal artworks of great subtlety and sensitivity It will also encourage you to create your own original artworks based on the techniques learned and it will bring a fresh perspective on known techniques and styles, if you have already practised them in your own paintings. You will need to bring your own materials, paints and paper along for this course. The tutor will let you know what to bring

This course will present an overview of painting and drawing in connection with inspiring examples in art history. It will help you learn classical techniques, and contemporary artists (such as David Hockney, Gerhard Richter or Anselm Kiefer). If you would like to have a fresh view of painting and drawing and learn how to achieve expressivity by carefully combining techniques, this course will offer you an overview and will inspire personal artworks of great subtlety and sensitivity. A variety of media will be explored, from acrylics to watercolour or pastels and more. You will need to bring your own art materials.

In five short weeks we will look at and talk about the outpouring of talent which happened over a few years, one talent encouraging another. Venice was the most powerful city state in Italy. It was the richest city and the premier port because its position dictated its links to the vast trading wealth of the East. The power this wealth gave them and their privileged access to trade goods also led to an extremely stable political system which lasted for 1,000 years and it was known as “La Serenissima”.

The changing social, cultural and political scenes in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries afforded new opportunities and a chance for women artists to emerge from the shadows of their male counterparts. This course will consider the impact of British women artists in the twentieth century, from the early part of the century when artists such as Vanessa Bell and Winifred Nicholson began to make their mark, to post- war artists such as Bridget Riley and Pauline Boty, and will include some of the key women artists of the twentieth century.

Join us to explore the work of James McNeil Whistler, from his more conventional portraiture to his experimental 'nocturnes' which have a totally contrasting approach & result causing consternation amongst a contemporary late 19th century audience. This course will consider the artist's work within the wider artistic chronological and stylistic context. This course is for learners who have an interest in this period of Art and have engaged in some previous studies of Art. The course material will cover different aspects of Whistler's work analysing examples in detail and consider them within the context of the development of the genre of portraiture as well as the way other aspects of his work opened up possibilities for innovation by influencing other artists.