ABBOTSBURY STUDIO
Painting, colour and drawing Studio Courses and Holiday Courses / Weekly Workshop Groups and Classes ......... in Abbotsbury, at the heart of the beautiful West Dorset coast
A resource for artists...fun for amateurs ......skills for students....... revelations for beginners
Shared energies of diverse artists and students invigorate both dynamic work and traditional work with a variety of styles. The main aim is that every individual should enjoy studio, tuition and facilities, for each, to develop an independent process of painting and drawing.
Studio courses are mostly 2 day weekends - Friday & Saturday. Some students and artists wanting to extend their stay by two days may choose to start their visit by also attending the classes on Wednesday and Thursday.
Welcoming artists/students or newcomers, of all ages & stages to focus enthusiasm, concentration and energy, to make significant progress or refresh their individual working processes, even on a short course.
Artists/students are invited to work in the medium of their choice, whether a familiar medium or a new medium.The studio has very good facilities (including an easel, 'A1' board, exam table and tall stool - for each person), so you need only bring drawing materials, paints & brushes. J M will be happy to offer suggestions or advice on materials and can usually fill any gaps in people's kit.
The Gallery at Abbotsbury Studio exhibits the work of artists and students.Twentieth century drawing and painting have been carried from figuration through to abstraction without distortion or reduction by such artists as Mondrian, Soutine, Giacometti, Bomberg, Auerbach and de Kooning. They introduce, through imaginative projection, geometry and gesture, the transmutation of forms and figures into a field of flux. Combining detached analysis and emotionally charged gestural energy, true to the flatness of the canvas, while spatial relationships are held in utmost respect. Among other artists, they show us how we can effect negotiations with transitional states and enjoy the interchangeability of physical form with pure energy.
In the realm of ideas we live in a delightful condition of upheaval and revolution, of transition and opportunity. It looks to many as if the rule book has been thrown away and chaos reigns. However the principles and disciplines involved in the dynamics of drawing, the colours and material of painting are like laws of physics - behind the mechanism, working alchemical magic.
Studio Courses
or for our regular Weekly Workshop Classes, click here
Please book, and pay in advance when booking.
(for booking details, see the box in the right column)Painting & Drawing Workshops... Friday - Saturday
Location - Abbotsbury Studio
X Abbotsbury Studio
Rodden Row, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JLtel: 01305-871867
email:
web: www.abbotsburystudio.co.uk
Abbotsbury Studio, a former hall, is centrally situated in Abbotsbury village - spacious, with a high ceiling, large windows and good lighting. The village itself is unique and in a glorious and various landscape at the heart of Dorset's 'World Heritage Site' coast.
Each day starts at 10am and ends at 4.30pm. Bring your own lunch.
Compatable stages in developing a watercolour.
Sketch - underpainting - tonal balance - lights.
May 14th-15th Two days. 10am - 4.30 pm
£40
Abstract composition and managed chaos in Landscape Painting
In the studio and in the landscape.
June 25th-26th Two days. 10 am - 4.30 pm
£40
Landscape Transformations
In Abbotsbury's glorious landscapes or else in the studio, depending on the preferences of the participants or the weather........... Please phone to book up for this course since it is so early in the autumn term.
September 17th-18th two days 10.00 am - 4.30 pm
£40
We will be concerned with compositional dynamics, Cezanne - Bomberg. Observation to abstraction. Managed chaos, painterly qualities, thick and thin, layers and liquidities.
Basic painting in oil, acrylic, or water colour. A series of stages from beginning to completion.
For occasional painters and beginners, or any artist who needs to be reminded of a useful series of stages from beginning to completion.
October 8th-9th two days 10.00 am - 4.30 pm
£40
Sketch, Underpainting, Tonal balance, Lights. Using observation of still life, or working from old or modern masterpieces, or abstraction and imagination. We will deal with tone and colour as well as the manipulation of materials.
Modes of Perception, a practical drawing course.
A practical drawing course concerned with understanding and applying a variety of traditions, techniques and approaches to drawing. Classical drawing, innovations of 20th century masters of drawing and various sketch processes.
November 12th-13th Two days. 10 am - 4.30 pm
£40
Different ways and means of observation & analysis in the practice of drawing lead to different types of picture making. Studying and setting up practical exercises to study and use the innovations and techniques of key 20th century artists: Giacometti, Coldstream, Uglow, Bomberg & Auerbach.
Painting process - picture making
in oil or acrylic, painting; abstract values and colour traditions.
December 3rd-4th two days 10.00 am - 4.30 pm
£40
A repetoire of rules, tricks and innovations are a useful basis on which to build and experiment. As well as ideas and procedures for and resolving unfinished pictures. Manipulating the medium, "painterly qualities", liquidities, thick and thin.
Abbotsbury Landscape Summer School 2010..............JULY.... Monday 12th - Saturday 17th
Location - Abbotsbury Studio
X Abbotsbury Studio
Rodden Row, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JLtel: 01305-871867
email:
web: www.abbotsburystudio.co.uk
Abbotsbury Studio, a former hall, is centrally situated in Abbotsbury village - spacious, with a high ceiling, large windows and good lighting. The village itself is unique and in a glorious and various landscape at the heart of Dorset's 'World Heritage Site' coast.
Monday to Saturday: 10 am - 4.30 pm (or later) Six days painting in Abbotsbury's glorious landscapes.Some days we will start the day with a talk on landscape painting illustrated with computer projected images; focusing on practical issues and useful painters as well as significant landscape and the history of landscape art. The studio is available for working or eating or if anyone needs to retreat from either too wet or too hot weather.
Two day pose Life Painting and Drawing
Location - Abbotsbury Studio
X Abbotsbury Studio
Rodden Row, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JLtel: 01305-871867
email:
web: www.abbotsburystudio.co.uk
Abbotsbury Studio, a former hall, is centrally situated in Abbotsbury village - spacious, with a high ceiling, large windows and good lighting. The village itself is unique and in a glorious and various landscape at the heart of Dorset's 'World Heritage Site' coast.
September 23 - 24 ... October 21 - 22 ... November 18 - 19 ... December 16 - 17.
ACTIVE ART JANUARY 2011............ Life Classes at Bridport Arts Centre
Location - Bridport Arts Centre
10 days: Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th January; and Tuesday 11th to Saturday 15th January. Click on timetable, below...
Two daytime sessions: 10am - 12.30pm... + ...1.30pm - 4pm...... @ £6 a session. or £4 students, £5 members. Untutored Life Classes for two weeks Tuesday - Saturday. Individuals are invited to do their own thing in their chosen medium. Timetable of models to come.
Each January for two weeks all comers, artists, students and beginners are invited to work with the life model in the large gallery/studio. The challenge of Life Drawing and Painting, the character, beauty and agility of the models evokes energy and enthusiasm in vital gestures and dynamic compositions from artists and students; creating the conditions for freedom of expression, refining of skills and human insights.
Weekly Workshop Classes
or for our Studio Courses, click here
You can pay on the day for any class -
£20 for a full day or £12 for a half day
(Full time & 'A' level students: £12 full day, £7 half day)
Newcomers please phone first, otherwise drop in and pay on the day!
(there are limited numbers however, so booking is advisable - for booking details, see the box in the right column)Autumn 2010. Thursday Evening Life Classes at Bridport Arts Centre
£8 a session... ......"A"level & full time students £5.
13 weeks - September 9th to December 16th
Location - Bridport Arts Centre
Every Thursday evening, 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm. Drop in and pay on the day. No need to book, however phone enquiries are welcome............(No class 25 November).
Autumn Term 2010 Painting and Drawing
Wednesdays & Thursdays. All welcome....Artists, students, beginners
14 weeks - September 8th to December 17th
Location - Abbotsbury Studio
X Abbotsbury Studio
Rodden Row, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JLtel: 01305-871867
email:
web: www.abbotsburystudio.co.uk
Abbotsbury Studio, a former hall, is centrally situated in Abbotsbury village - spacious, with a high ceiling, large windows and good lighting. The village itself is unique and in a glorious and various landscape at the heart of Dorset's 'World Heritage Site' coast.
Pay by the day, on the day. £20 all day, £12 half day............................. Concessions for full time students £12 all day, £7 half day........................................ (No classes 24th & 25th November)
Wednesdays Painting Group. 10am - 1pm & 1.45pm - 4.30pm
All welcome....Artists, students, beginners. Drop in and pay on the day.14 Wednesdays
Sep 8th, Sep 15th, Sep 22nd, Sep 29th, Oct 6th, Oct 13th, Oct 20th, Oct 27th, Nov 3rd, Nov 10th, Nov 17th, Dec 1st, Dec 8th, Dec 15th
Drop in, and pay on the day. A general painting class for all comers with challenges for artists, students & beginners. Emphasizing each individual's practical work. Personal projects - abstract or figurative. Colour and tonal studies, compositional dynamics, landscape and still life. Interesting objects, pots, jars, fruit and flowers always in the studio... (No Class 24 & 25 November).
Thursdays Life Class (Daytimes).......................10am - 1pm & 1.45pm - 4.30pm
Drop in, and pay on the day. All welcome Artists, Students, Beginners.14 Thursdays
Sep 9th, Sep 16th, Sep 23rd, Sep 30th, Oct 7th, Oct 14th, Oct 21st, Oct 28th, Nov 4th, Nov 11th, Nov 18th, Dec 2nd, Dec 9th, Dec 16th
We start the day with short poses for one hour; usually these short poses are for about 10 minutes each, followed by perhaps six 2 minute poses. All these short poses in the first session are more likely to have some twists and stretches. After a coffee break we set up one long pose to last for the rest of the day. Although the long pose is necessarily less demanding on the model we are always careful to make sure it is inspiring from all points of view...(No class - 24 & 25 November).
The tutor
John Meaker
is a prolific artist continuously drawing and working in several different painting mediums with figures, abstract dynamics and landscape.
He has 25 years experience as teacher & mentor facilitating progress and change to the work of students & artists of all ages and stages, from beginners to accomplished artists. "I see the tutor’s role as that of nurturing and developing in each individual an independent process of work capable of evolution and open to ideas. So I use a range of traditional and/or modernist techniques and processes to serve my own insight into the requirements of student or artist. I like to think I am a catalyst for experiment and innovation encouraging the group to try out and discuss new ideas. Accomplished artists will want a dialogue with a trainer rather than a teacher whereas students and beginners will need a teacher for skills and techniques. Each individual has their own vision and their own way of making marks – combine the individual nature with appropriate guidance hence outcomes should be surprising and not be preconceived".
J.M. studied at Goldsmiths College and The Royal Academy Schools and in his own work reconciles their contradictory traditions:
- on one side: awareness of modernity of form, comparative to the history of Art, while enjoying the art of ideas and abstraction, the dynamics of composition and gesture;
- on the other side: drawing skills,observational disciplines, including, proportion, construction and spatial analysis, concern with natural form, colour and especially tone and light, traditional figurative painting, colour traditions, theories and techniques.
Amongst some uniquely sensitive artists including Peter Greenham and Norman Blamey, J. M. was fortunate to have tutors themselves taught by a series of mainly British artists, Sickert, Tonks, Bomberg, Giacometti, Coldstream, Uglow and K. Vaughan, who in their teaching, theory and their own practices of work, represent a range of related modes of perception which develop the living and dynamic strands of late 20th century innovation and expression in drawing and painting.
For more than 25 years J M has tutored residential courses in painting and drawing at Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire; this year he will be there at the residential Summer School for three weeks. www.arca.uk.net/missendenabbey J M is also tutoring courses at West Dean College, near Chichester in West Sussex, Autumn 2009, Spring and Summer School in 2010. www.westdean.org.uk
Workshops at Abbotsbury Studio are at home to a wide variety of forms and styles of painting and drawing, classical & modern, all dynamic.
Click here to see images of students' & artists' work made at Abbotsbury Studio.
Click here to see images of John Meaker's work.
Booking information
To take part in one or more of the courses, please click here to print out the form, fill it in and then send, enclosing a cheque for the total course fee(s) to:
John Meaker
White Hall Farm
Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6JG.
Enquiries welcome.
Once booking has been confirmed, fees cannot be transferred or refunded. It is advisable to insure against losses of fees due to illness or other mishap.
For local accommodation we can advise, or see the Abbotsbury Village website.
Contact details
JM - 01935-872461
mobile - 07816-850107
studio - 01305-871867
email:
Abbotsbury Studio
Rodden Row
Abbotsbury
Dorset
DT3 4JL
tel: 01305-871867 mobile: 07816-850107 email:
web design & search engine optimisation © andrew green associates
text © John Meaker