Experienced tutor and Arborealist Fiona McIntyre ARE will guide you in a comprehensive course learning the art of drawing trees from installations of tree forms, roots and foliage in the studio, followed by drawing living trees in Cirencester Park.

You will learn observational drawing skills using graphite and charcoal, then evolve your work over 12 weeks to use colour expressively and intuitively in a variety of exciting water-soluble media of pencils, inks, acrylic and watercolour paint. Materials will be provided.

The course provides the foundation of composition, form, colour and the character of different tree species. Students will learn the anatomy of a tree; its basic structure, twisting branches growing towards the light, its powerful root systems and the patterns and texture of bark. You will learn how to be more perceptive in your depiction of different shades of green and how to describe leaves, foliage, moss, lichen and bracket fungus. The curriculum will include references to relevant artists and a brief introduction to natural materials as used by the artist in her own work.

Meet your tutor

Fiona McIntyre was born in Kenya and brought up in Ireland and England. She is an experienced artist, tutor and speaker focusing on art/ecology/landscape and trees. As a tutor she believes passionately in the importance of drawing and understanding principles of colour and intuitive expression.

After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA Hons in Drawing and Painting she moved to Sweden for seven years to learn the language and practice at studios in Malmo, and studied printmaking at Grafiskskolan Forum under the influential Surrealist artist Bertil Lundberg. Her education culminated in an MA at Winchester School of Art studios in Barcelona.

Tutor: Fiona McIntyre
Date & Time: Thursdays, 10am - 1pm
Venue: Brush Studio, New Brewery Arts
PRICE: £340.00 (£0.00 VAT)

12-weeks

First Class: Thursday 9th January
No Class: Thursday 20th February
Last Class: Thursday 3rd April

Please note that this workshop is for those aged 18 and over.

You are welcome to bring a lidded bottle of water with you but we kindly ask that you do not bring food into the studio.

Refreshments are available at our on-site café Blend until 4pm.

For more information:
Visit our FAQ page

Who is this course for?

Although trees can be challenging all levels of ability are welcome as we will cover the basics and then become more experimental. A certain level of fitness is necessary as we will be walking into the park to draw with some basic equipment.

What you will need:

• You will be supplied with brushes but if you wish to bring your own then please supply size 6, 8 and 10

• Please bring an apron or wear clothes you are happy to paint in.

• You may go outside for your class, please wear appropriate footwear and bring a chair. You will be informed ahead of the class if you will be outside.

Please take home all work home by the end of your course.