Experimental illustration, textures and printmaking with Veronica Rowlands

Join guest artist, Veronica Rowlands in this multi-disciplinary illustration course which explores a diverse range of processes including experimental drawing, printmaking, collage and mark-making.

What to expect

This 8-week course encourages participants to consider different possibilities and points of view when creating their own illustrations. Participants will learn a new skill each week and then will go on to create their own illustration project using the skills and processes learned with the support of Veronica.

Week-by-week breakdown

Week 1
Experimental watercolour painting/mark-making

In session 1, participants will be introduced to watercolour painting and how watercolours can be used to create different textures and patterned backgrounds including;

• Wet painting
• Dry painting
• Creating texture using salt
• Mark-making using tinfoil

At the end of the session they will apply the wet painting methods to a piece of cotton (ready to stitch onto for week 2).

Materials:
1. Watercolour paints
2. Paintbrushes
3. Water pots
4. Table salt
5. Tinfoil
6. Thick watercolour/cartridge paper
7. A patch of canvas cotton/calico
8. Coloured inks

Week 2
Embroidery stitches

For the first part of the session, participants will be introduced to a range of hand embroidery stitches and will start to create a stitched-line illustration using their painted cotton from week 1.

Materials:
1. Painted cotton (created in week 1)
2. Embroidery skeins
3. Sewing needles
4. Embroidery hoops

Week 3 (taking place on Tuesday 9 November)
Embroidery art continued

Materials:
1. Painted cotton (created in week 1)
2. Embroidery skeins
3. Sewing needles
4. Embroidery hoops

Week 4
Introduction to lino-cutting and viewpoint

For session 4, participants will be introduced to using viewpoints in their illustrations: they will place an object around the room and draw it from different positions (creating a mini storyboard).

In the second part of the session participants will be introduced to lino cutting: they will create a mini print test using lino and blade, followed by creating a series of fast-paced experimental drawings (including continuous line, opposite hand and blindfolded) and will go on to design an art work/character on paper (to be cut in week 3).

Materials:
1. Linolium patches
2. Linocutting blades/tools
3. Printing inks
4. Smooth/printing paper
5. Ink rollers
6. Pencils

Week 5
Lino-cutting artwork

In this session participants will carve their character/illustration from lino and create a series of prints onto papers created in week 1.

Materials:
1. Linolium patches
2. Linocutting blades/tools
3. Printing inks
4. Smooth/printing paper
5. Ink rollers
6. Pencils
7. Papers from week 1

Week 6
Screen-printing

For this session participants will learn about positive and negative space, create resist stencils and make a series of experimental prints.

Materials:
1. Silk-screens
2. Acrylic paints or printing ink
3. Squigees
4. Thick, smooth paper
5. Thin card
5. Pencils
6. Old newspaper/tablecloth to protect table

Week 7
Continue with own project

Week 8
Continue with own project

Ticket & course breakdown

This event is run as an 8 week course with the option to drop in if you can’t commit to the full course. To book onto the course, please select the course date you’d like to attend:

1st 8 week course: Wednesday 1 September – 20 October (select 1 Sept when booking)

2nd 8 week course: Wednesday 27 October – 15 December (select 27 Oct when booking) (Note, the 3rd class will take place on Tuesday 9 November).

If you have any question about booking, please get in touch – 020 3039 3333

About Veronica Rowlands

Veronica is an East London based illustration and socially engaged artist. She completed her first degree in Surface Pattern Design from the University of Wales in 2009 with 1st Class Honours, followed by a Master’s Degree in Illustration from Kingston University.

Alongside her personal practice, Veronica has taught art and delivered workshops and outreach projects for a wide range of community groups for the past eight years, she currently works as artist-in-residence at a local school and has delivered a multitude of workshops for people of all ages, and she has recently been awarded a grant by Arts Council England to deliver a socially engaged project and series of illustrations which explore narcissism.

Veronica is extremely passionate about her subject, passing on skills and helping develop the creative thinking and ideas of participants. Her background in textiles and illustration means that she’s highly versatile in her use of process and loves to plan and deliver diverse sessions which cover a multitude of processes.

Veronica takes inspiration from vintage children’s books, her favourites are: Richard Scarry’s Biggest Workbook Ever”, “Babar the Elephant” by Jean De Brunhoff and “The Wonderful Egg” by Dahlov Ipcar, the colour schemes and innocence of the illustrations fill her with joy and escapism from adult life! her favourite Artists are Gustav Klimt and L.S. Lowry.

Testimonials from previous projects

“Each Part of the project involved different skills, the tutor was very experienced in planning and delivery.” – Member of teaching staff at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre

“Blown away with classes, excellent course.” – Support staff member at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre

“Thank you, Veronica, for everything you’ve done , I now love art because of you and I really used to hate it!” – Andrew, 9, St Josephs Catholic Primary School

“Thank you, Veronica, for teaching us all that wonderful Art! you are the best art teacher we could hope for.” – Arjan, 9, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School