Teaching Schedule

 
The Nature of Drawing

5 day workshop
July 4 @ 5:00 pm – July 9 @ 2:00 pm, 2021
Coombe Farm StudiosDittishamDevon TQ6 0JA UK

“Our objective for the week will be to draw with curiosity, without inhibition; and ultimately with conviction.  We will aim to work quickly with exercises that encourage you to play with mediums; while we exploring drawing process’s, discuss formal perspective, and the perceptual skills needed to achieve all of the above.”
— Laurie Steen

This course is suitible for anyone developing a drawing practice, from those that are at a starting point to experienced artists wanting to push their practice.

Drawing is a material practice By working to find the most naturally suited drawing medium for you and by fully exploring drawing mediums that you can connect to, you will be better able to explore context and scale in your work. By using the power of play, we will focus on finding and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability, through the discussion, testing and play of a variety of drawing mediums and surfaces using both wet and dry drawing techniques.  

Drawing is intuitive and immediate. It is where we all begin as artists. We will look at our awareness of drawing through the senses by learning perceptual drawing skills; including Edges, Space, Relationships, Light, & Shadow and the subject as a whole.  Looking at how you can push the boundaries of your own practice. 

Drawing is not only a human practice but a physical practice.  By looking to the landscape we will discuss how to respond to natural subjects, forms and compositions in the landscape as we come across them.  Much of our inspiration will come from our natural environment and hopefully we will be able to walk and work outside! 

Drawing can easily translate the way in which we experience our world.  By working through a series of excises you will further be able to work through your intent, goals, discovery, concepts, development and ultimately the implementation of your work. 

You can never fail with drawing.

All participants are urged to bring a few pieces of work as well as any favourite drawing implements, mediums and tools for discussion, contemplation and work, as there will be informal individual critiques throughout the course.

I look forward to working with each of you.   

Materials for this course

There’ is an essential kit list for this course which is included in the course price and which has been selected and organised by Laurie to be given to you on arrival.

Please also bring with you any and all drawing mediums that you enjoy using and:

– A3 (min size) ring pad of multimedia paper that can support pencil, charcoal and ink.  essential!

– A4 or A5 sketchbook, suitable for walking and sketching essential!

– Any large papers or drawing surfaces of interest

– Sundries including scissors, fixative, and rags or paper towel 

– Something from your studio that sparks joy, wonder or curiosity

– Something that fits in the palm of your hand.

 
 
Drawing Reboot and Refresh Weekend

3 day workshop
November 4 @ 5:00 pm – November 7 @ 2:00 pm, 2021
Coombe Farm StudiosDittishamDevon TQ6 0JA UK

This short weekend intensive course aims to inspire and reboot your drawing practice.  We will also focus on helping to pushing the boundaries of your chosen mediums whilst helping to solve any drawing challenges you may have.

“I would love for these few days to be a platform for ideas to germinate and grow while using the Winter Landscape as our subject and catalyst to explore what truly moves each of us to make work.  All aspects of your drawing practice can be discussed, from materials and processes to presentation and perspective.”
— Laurie Steen

The aim will be to work quickly exploring a variety of line and mark making media while focusing on the natural series of changes that come with pushing the boundaries of our own drawing methods, while honing and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability.  During the weekend you will also talk about different ways of working, to compare a variety of different styles of drawing, whilst working around a roaring studio fire and there will be informal critiques throughout.

All participants are urged to bring some previous work and any drawing mediums for experimentation as well as books for discussion.  We all prefer specific methods and tools in the way in which we work and sometimes it is just figuring out how to use them!  So before coming perhaps ask yourself what is the one tool that feeds your creativity and is essential to your creative process.  This course will focus specifically on drawing but can be used in to push your drawing ability within other artistic practices.  There will be a wireless printer we will use while composing with the camera.  

The course will also include a short visual presentation and discussion of Laurie’s work.  The course is suitable for all levels of drawing ability but not recommended if you haven’t drawn before – if that’s the case then Laurie’s longer, five day courses, are better suited for you!

MATERIALS LIST FOR THIS COURSE

Specialist papers and drawing materials are required for this course, which have been carefully chosen by Laurie. They will be given to you on arrival and the cost of the them has been included in the course price. As above however please do also bring any drawing materials you would like for experimentation during the weekend.

 
Time to Play  &
Ignite your Intuition

5 day workshop
February 23 @ 5:00 pm – February 28 @ 2:00 pm, 2019
Coombe Farm StudiosDittishamDevon TQ6 0JA UK

Our objective for the week will be to draw with conviction; without inhibition and to push the boundaries of our own drawing practice; ultimately leaving the course with an idea of how to begin. 

We will take a new look at the basic skills of drawing through discovering our perceptual drawing skills; our senses. By using the power of play and by letting drawing mediums guide our creativity; we will focus on finding and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability, 

Through discussion, testing and experimenting with a variety of drawing mediums and surfaces; using both wet and dry drawing techniques, you  will ultimately be better able to explore context and scale in your work. 

Drawing Weekend (Full)

3 day workshop
October 31 @ 5:00pm – November 3 @ 2:00pm, 2019
Coombe Farm StudiosDittishamDevon TQ6 0JA United Kingdom

Time to focus.
There are only a few places left for my 3 day Drawing course at Coombe this November. This short intense course will focus on the natural series of changes that come with pushing the boundaries of our own drawing methods.

Using the winter landscape as well as each of our own unique drawing processes as our catalyst; we will work to explore a variety of line and mark marking and to have at the end a clearer idea about the way in which we work and how to draw that which inspires.

This leads us to discuss and work through how each of us become inspired and how we translate our inspirations from life as well as many multidisciplinary art forms into our own working processes.  Our aim is to not only push our own artistic boundaries but to also inspire and challenge each other,  and to have at the end a clear idea about the way in which we work and how to access that which inspires.   With much focus on honing and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability.

I would love for these few days to be a platform for ideas to germinate and grow.  How do we best use that which inspires us and what is it that truly moves each of us to make work.  We will also talk about different ways of working, and compare a variety of different styles of drawing, whilst working around a roaring studio fire.  There will be an informal critique at the beginning and end of the course.

For more information visit http://www.coombefarmstudios.com/courses/


The Art of Attention –
Yoga, Ceramics and Drawing Residential Course. 
5-day workshop
March 31 @ 5:00 pm – April 5 @ 2:00 pm, 2019.
Coombe Farm Studios, DittishamDevon TQ6 0JA United Kingdom

I absolutely loved being a part of this course last year and it was so successful Coombe is running it again. ‘ – the Art of Attention – combines three of our loves: pottery, drawing and yoga. This special week will make space for the three practices, which in turn will guide and inform one another. Led by tutors who are experts in their fields, Laurel Keeley (Ceramics), Laurie Steen RWA (Drawing) and Lauren Hill (Yoga) have a wealth of experience. They’ve also had a long relationship with Coombe, where they have run separate courses, developing a passion for each other’s work, and a desire to spend more time doing it. So it came to pass, after lots of conversations, that we decided to design a course working together, and sharing with others.

Each day will begin with a pre-breakfast yoga practice to awaken and illuminate. After breakfast the morning will be spent exploring drawing mediums and mark-making. Using the power of play, the drawing workshops will focus on finding and nurturing each persons own unique line and intuition. After a delicious wholesome lunch, the exploration in clay will begin, grounding into the elemental material (making forms either on the wheel or by hand) working your drawing experiments into the clay with slips and a variety of techniques, each working to your own project. The day will close before dinner with a second yoga practice of stillness, space, and spring rhythms.

Each tutor will lead their practice, and join as the participant in the others. All levels (in yoga or art) oh so very welcome.

Ignite your Intuition

5 day workshop
May 19 5:00pm – May 24 2:00pm, 2019
Coombe Farm StudiosDittishamDevon TQ6 0JA United Kingdom

Let your drawing medium guide your creativity…our objective for the week will be to draw without inhibition;  with conviction, and to push the boundaries of our own practice; leaving the course with an idea of how to begin.   By using the power of play, we will focus on finding and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability. Through discussion, testing and play, with a variety of drawing mediums (ink, charcoal, graphite..) and surfaces, and using both wet and dry drawing techniques, we will experiment.  By working to find the most naturally suited drawing medium for you, and by fully exploring drawing mediums that inspire each of us, you will be better able to explore context and scale in your work.

For more information visit http://www.coombefarmstudios.com/courses/

 

2018
Nature and Landscape

RWA Drawing School, Clifton, Bristol
1-day workshop
Monday 19 March 10.30am – 4.30pm | £55
(Course now full.  For a similar course the RWA will be running another 1 day similar to this onJuly 6, 2018)

Develop perceptual drawing skills when sketching landscape and nature. Through exercises and experimental mark-making, participants will learn to scale drawings within the landscape. Part of the class will take place offsite at Brandon Hill, with studio time before and after to work up and layer drawings. Bring a sketchbook suited to a range of media, and
any favourite drawing implements. Various media will be available to explore in the studio. There is a short walk to the location.  
http://www.rwa.org.uk/whats-on/nature-and-landscape-–-making-beautiful-our-everyday

The Art of Attention – Yoga Ceramics and Drawing Residential Course
5-day workshop
April 22 @ 5:00 pm – April 27 @ 2:00 pm
Coombe Farm StudiosDittisham,  Devon TQ6 0JA United Kingdom

We are pleased to be launching a new course at Coombe – the Art of Attention – combining three of our loves: pottery, drawing and yoga. This special week will make space for the three practices, which in turn will guide and inform one another. Led by tutors who are experts in their fields, Laurel Keeley (Ceramics), Laurie Steen RWA (Drawing) and Lauren Hill (Yoga) have a wealth of experience. They’ve also had a long relationship with Coombe, where they have run separate courses, developing a passion for each other’s work, and a desire to spend more time doing it. So it came to pass, after lots of conversations, that we decided to design a course working together, and sharing with others.

For more information visit http://www.coombefarmstudios.com/courses/

                                   

Ignite your Intuition
5-day workshop
May 20 @ 5:00 pmMay 25 @ 2:00 pm, 2018
Coombe Farm StudiosDittisham,  Devon TQ6 0JA United Kingdom

Let your drawing medium guide your creativity…our objective for the week will be to draw without inhibition;  with conviction, and to push the boundaries of our own practice; leaving the course with an idea of how to begin.   By using the power of play, we will focus on finding and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability. Through discussion, testing and play, with a variety of drawing mediums (ink, charcoal, graphite..) and surfaces, and using both wet and dry drawing techniques, we will experiment.  By working to find the most naturally suited drawing medium for you, and by fully exploring drawing mediums that inspire each of us, you will be better able to explore context and scale in your work.

For more information visit http://www.coombefarmstudios.com/courses/


Drawing and Intuition

3 day workshop
Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th June, 2018
Lund Studios Itd, Alne Road, Easingwold, United Kingdom, YO61 3PA
(Please Note: this course has one place left)

Throughout this 3 day course we will be testing a variety of monochromatic mediums and surfaces, exploring the way in which we draw by further developing our drawing skills.  We will also be letting our drawing mediums guide our creativity, allowing us to focus on our drawing processes and drawing language which is unique to each of us.  This could mean owning a specific ability with tone, line or surface, or perhaps the perfect medium or drawing tool that works for you. Our aim is to loosen up and draw without inhibition…

For more information visit http://www.lundstudios.co.uk

Nature and Landscape
RWA Drawing School, Clifton, Bristol
1-day workshop
Friday, 6 July 10.30am – 4.30pm | £55
(Details of this event to be confirmed)
http://www.rwa.org.uk/drawing-school  for details soon

Drawing Weekend
3 day workshop
November 8 @ 5:00 pm – November 11 @ 2:00 pm, 2018
Coombe Farm StudiosDittisham,  Devon TQ6 0JA United Kingdom

This short intense course with will use the Winter Landscape as our subject and the catalyst to explore a variety of monochromatic mediums.  The course will also focus on how we find and translate inspirations in the shapes and landscape around us.  We will aim to work quickly exploring a variety of line and mark making media while focusing on the natural series of changes that come with pushing the boundaries of our own drawing methods.

Thus leading us to discuss and work through how each of us become inspired and how we translate our inspirations from life as well as many multidisciplinary art forms into our own working processes.  Our aim is to not only push our own artistic boundaries but to also inspire and challenge each other,  and to have at the end a clear idea about the way in which we work and how to access that which inspires.   With much focus on honing and nurturing each persons own unique line and mark making ability.

I would love for these few days to be a platform for ideas to germinate and grow.  How do we best use that which inspires us and what is it that truly moves each of us to make work.  We will also talk about different ways of working, and compare a variety of different styles of drawing, whilst working around a roaring studio fire.  There will be an informal critique at the beginning and end of the course.

For more information visit http://www.coombefarmstudios.com/courses/

Each day will begin with a pre-breakfast yoga practice to awaken and illuminate. After breakfast the morning will be spent exploring drawing mediums and mark-making. Using the power of play, the drawing workshops will focus on finding and nurturing each persons own unique line and intuition. After a delicious wholesome lunch, the exploration in clay will begin, grounding into the elemental material (making forms either on the wheel or by hand) working your drawing experiments into the clay with slips and a variety of techniques, each working to your own project. The day will close before dinner with a second yoga practice of stillness, space, and spring rhythms.