Start Date
3 May, 2025
There will be 6 weekly meetings on Saturday 10.30am - 4.30pm, starting from 3 May.
Overview
If you are interested in exploring new artistic ways to express inner feelings as an alternative to literal depictions of the external visual world, then this exciting 6-week practical art course is for you.
We begin by exploring the work of the 20th century German Expressionists (and later developments in Abstract Expressionism) in the first session with art historian Dr Judith Walsh who will identify some of the key techniques, styles, subjects and philosophies used by these radical artists.
The following 5 sessions are practice based sessions led by the highly experienced and established artist and tutor Tony O’ Connell. Some of the sessions will take place outside in sympathy with the ‘en plein air’ experiences of the German Expressionists. Each of these practical sessions emulate some of the processes utilised by the German Expressionists such as dramatic and unusual use of colour and experimentation with bold volumetric shapes, geometric ornamentation, decorative patterning, and flattened planes. You will become confident in employing these techniques to express your feelings and perspectives on subjects personal to you.
Whether you are new to painting in this way or have some previous experience, this course offers the opportunity to develop your imagination, intuition and spontaneity.
Now prior experience required - this course allows and encourages you to explore and experiment at your own pace. All welcome!
Syllabus
Week 1: 3 May.
An Introduction to German Expressionism: History and Theory with Dr Judith Walsh. On campus.
This Study Day supports your practical skills through a close examination of the development, techniques and history of German and European Expressionism. We also make some analysis of later American Abstract Expressionism. An understanding of the form and philosophy of Expressionism might well inspire you to use unusual colour combinations and new techniques. The subjects and themes include:
- Beginnings of Expressionism: Edvard Munch (Norway) and Gustav Klimt (Austria)
- German Expressionism: The two main groups were Die Brücke (images of modern society city dwellers, prostitutes, and dancers in the city's streets and nightclubs.) and Der Blaue Reiter (emphasised abstraction, symbolism and expressive mark-making)
- French Expressionism. Practices employed included vivid use of colour and distortion of form and influences of Cubism, Fauvism, and Symbolism.
- Later developments: American Abstract Expressionism and European Tachisme
Week 2: 10 May
Practical explorations from Expressionism: An introduction to drawing from the model (Tony O'Connell). On campus.
Please bring your sketchbook and paper, canvas board or canvas, and suitable drawing materials such as charcoal, soft pencils, basic acrylic paints, brushes and a small water tub or bottle. We will produce a range of quick drawing and two longer ones and have time at the end to feedback on our learning. You should wear old clothes that don’t matter too much. We will be considering, distortion suggesting mood, non-local expressive colour, colour temperature and expressive brush marks
Week 3: 17 May
Practical explorations from Expressionism: An introduction to painting in the landscape – facing the elements at Ness Gardens (Mr Tony O'Connell)
We will meet at Ness Gardens Café. Please bring your sketchbook, paper, canvas board or canvas, and suitable drawing materials such as charcoal, soft pencils, basic acrylic paints, and brushes and a small water tub or bottle. We will produce a range of quick drawings and several longer ones and have time at the end to feedback on our learning. You should dress for the weather and wear old clothes that don’t matter too much. We will consider shadows, angles of view and mood based distortion and colour. You will be working outdoors so you may want to bring a small fold out stool or cushion inside a plastic carrier bag or similar. We may also take influence here from the work of artists like Gabriele Munter and Ernst Kirchner
Week 4: 24 May
Practical explorations from Expressionism: An introduction to drawing and painting Gothic structure at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (Mr Tony O'Connell)
We will meet at the the Anglican Cathedral café
Please bring your sketchbook, paper, canvas board or canvas, and suitable drawing materials such as charcoal, oil pastels, soft pencils, basic acrylic paints, brushes and a small water tub or bottle. We will produce a range of quick drawings and several longer ones and have time at the end to feedback on our learning. You should again dress for the weather and wear old clothes that don’t matter too much. You will be working indoors and outdoors so you may want to bring a small fold out stool or cushion inside a plastic carrier bag or similar. During the indoor part of the day we will consider the shadows and Gothic shapes in internal architecture (taking some influence from the influence of Expressionism on early Horror films such as Nosferatu). During the outdoor part of the day we will return to paint and fierce colour when considering the shapes of massive buttresses and trees.
Week 5: 31 May
Practical explorations from Expressionism: Introduction to relief print making from previous drawings (Mr Tony O'Connell) On Campus
We will meet at our base room to consider how drawing and other works on paper can be translated into printmaking – This is a very process heavy session so again wear studio clothes and please bring any drawing from the earlier sessions you would like to translate into print. In the previous course we concentrated on intaglio dry point but this time we will focus on relief print influenced by some of the harsher angles and shadows of Expressionist woodcut
Week 6: 7 June
Practical explorations rom Expressionism: Review and completion (Mr Tony O'Connell) on Campus.
We will meet at our base room and spend the day finishing up any painting and drawing we have previously begun or, if you choose taking the ideas on to explore American Abstract Expressionism. This final session is artist led rather than tutor led so involves setting a clear target for individual development. After lunch we will review our learning and discus how we might take what we have learned forward into a developing practice after the course.
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Dr Judith Walsh & Tony O'Connell
Tony O'Connell is an exhibiting artist who has taught adults since 2000, both as a freelance tutor with Liverpool Independent Art School and (for twenty years) as part of a Foundation Art and Design team. His own practice as a fine-artist ranges across sculpture, printmaking, painting and performance/film and is predominantly issue led. In this he enjoys working alone or collaborating with other artists and is part of the Not Just Collective art group.
Dr Judith Walsh is a lecturer in modern and contemporary art. Her PhD examined aesthetic, cultural and societal themes and trends of the post war period including the ‘battle’ between figurative and abstract art. Currently working for the University of Liverpool she has also taught extensively for Tate Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University. She is particularly interested in the collaborative nature of artistic practice and the philosophy of aesthetics and contemporary art in a globalized world.
Courses fees: Full fee £280/Concession £140
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