ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Landscape/architecture of rural Ireland, acrylic/collage

April 24th & 25th -2 day workshop

Based around vernacular architecture of rural Ireland this course we will look at ways of moving away from a direct representation towards abstraction, without ever actually arriving in pure abstraction. We will learn some unusual drawing techniques along with ways of collaging to distract and detract from the obvious; helping us to create paintings with more depth and sophistication.

The first morning will be spent sketching outdoors.

Working in acrylic on board or canvas we'll use corrugated cardboard, takeaway coffee cups, newsprint, bubble wrap, maps and a plethora of other everyday materials that will initiate fresh ideas taking our work off on unsuspected tangents.

Still Life (studio based)

April 26th & 27th -2 day workshop

In this course “Contemporary still lifes - up close and personal” we will focus on still life and enquire what makes a still life contemporary. Looking especially at simple everyday objects as starting points we will also delve into “found” and “accidental” still lifes.

Working in acrylic/mixed media on board or canvas we'll use collage and simple print techniques and materials to initiate fresh ideas. The emphasis will be on exploratory and experimental work rather than finished pieces.

recommended Materials

Substrates:

Plywood Panels (MDF or Plywood, I use 4mm Poplar plywood panels, Birch faced WISO plywood is also good) prepared with Gesso.
5 x Good quality cartridge paper approx 200grams & preferably A2 size (minimum size A3)

Paints: Acrylic paints (good quality, I use liquitex and Golden). Bring a variety of your favourite colours to use throughout the weekend.

Brushes: I prefer flat brushes with nylon bristles (2cm up to 10cm wide) Available in Evans

Other implements/utensils:

Black crayon-water mixable (CaranD'ache Neocolor II, or similar) Available in Evans
Palette knife and/or plastic shapers (old credit cards work well)
Craft knife and scissors
Ink (I use acrylic ink from liquitex)

Modelling paste: available at most good art supply stores

Reference material: Photos and sketches (some reference material will also be available from the tutor)

Collage material: corrugated cardboard, takeaway coffee cups, newsprint, bubble wrap, maps and other everyday materials

Meet PETE

Pete Monaghan is a 2G Irish contemporary artist and tutor. He works from studios in Aberystwyth, Wales and southern Germany and tutors in various venues in the UK and Austria.

His main inspiration is the vernacular architecture of the Celtic Fringes and the special energy of these places.

Pete sketches plain air and then refines and reworks images in the studio. He is concerned with creating work that is full of energy and tension.

He enjoys collaging everyday objects into his paintings, there are often pieces of coffee cups, maps and corrugated cardboard to be discovered. Portions of each painting are retained as drawn elements to reflect the fragility and temporality of the structures. 

Pete shows work with galleries in the UK and Ireland.