THE CORNERSTONE

CORNERSTONE “Something of great importance that everything else depends on”

As part of the SCHOOLHOUSE ACADEMY, our accredited course ‘THE CORNERSTONE’ will take you on a journey over 10 months through the FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING AND PAINTING.

With Course Director Bairbre Duggan and artist tutors Sinead Lawless, Dave West & Alan Clarke

SEPTEMBER 2024 NOW FULLY BOOKED
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE CORNERSTONE 2025/26

ABOUT THIS COURSE

With a series of 10 in-studio modules (1 per month from Sept to June, see more info below), online theory and art appreciation classes (1 live online evening class per month from Oct - June) with continuous critique and feedback this course is perfect for anyone who is looking for an injection of something extra in their art practice, or who are ready to take their art that step further.

Perhaps you are a practicing or aspiring artist keen to improve your knowledge of the fundamentals of art. Maybe you missed out on some key skills the first time round and want to immerse yourself back in to improve your overall art practise. Or you have dipped your toe in the water and are eager for much more. Then, this programme is for you!

This course will be delivered by 5 key tutors throughout the 10 months; Bairbre Duggan, Alan Clarke, Dave West & Sinead Lawless.

By providing tuition in direct observation our aim is to stimulate our students to make confident choices towards finding their own individual vision.

This accredited programme will have a class size of max. 12 people.

What will you learn?

During 10 in-studio weekend modules (1 per month from Sept to June, see more info below), 9 online art appreciation classes, ongoing foundations of drawing and painting.

Key concepts that will be explained, discussed and practised throughout this course will be;

-        Tone and Value
-        Composition
-        Colour and Colour Theory
-        Form and Perspective

These concepts will be explored through different subjects and a range of materials with dedicated experienced tutors.

Study subjects will include:

-        Still Life
-        The Human Form
-        Studying the Masters and Cast Drawing
-        Landscape and Interior.

Materials will include drawing materials like charcoal, chalk and graphite as well as oil paint, ink and other water based media.

There will be regular opportunities for personal critique and feedback. This will provide continuity for each student so that they can chart their own progress and see their own development.

Online theory modules will cover theory related to the practical study topics covered each weekend, for example anatomy and perspective, and also refer to artists throughout art history to understand how their work can inform our own in the 21st century.

Alongside the monthly modules, students will be advised to build a personal sketchbook of work as well as attend life drawing sessions as art exercise. Schoolhouse for Art will offer one place per month in their online or in-studio life drawing session to the students of the Schoolhouse Academy.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CORNERSTONE?
Check this video out with Bairbre Duggan & Lana Byrne

Application:

ANSWER JUST A FEW SHORT QUESTIONS AND SEND SOME EXAMPLES OF YOUR RECENT WORK

APPLY HERE

contact our office on (01)2869594 if you HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

This is a certified and accredited course through CPD Standards.

course fee: €2,750*

*payment options available
€750 non-refundable deposit to secure place & 5 monthly instalments thereafter of €400
T’s & C’s apply

Course Structure:

PRACTICAL COMPONENT - TEN in-studio MODULES
ONE WEEKEND PER MONTH 10AM-4PM saturday & sunday

MODULE 1 - 4 Drawing Focus

MODULE 5 - 7 Painting Focus

MODULE 8 - 10 Making a Picture

THEORETICAL COMPONENT – NINE ONLINE SESSIONS
(one evening per month, approx 1.5 hours)

These sessions are designed to complement the in-studio modules and present information and theory that will be explored in the practical modules.
Each session will hosted live online by Bairbre and your other tutors and will take place prior to the weekend modules

plus

* Ongoing support and feedback with scheduled time for specific one-to-one mentorship
* One space per month for online life drawing (in-studio spaces offered when available)
* Support of ongoing development of a personal sketchbook

Materials required

Required list of materials will be provided

Meet THE TUTORS

BAIBRE DUGGAN

Based in Amsterdam, Bairbre is a figurative painter and art historian. She trained at IADT, TCD and at the Wackers Academie in Amsterdam where she now teaches. Her approach to painting combines both direct and indirect techniques and she is interested in making paintings that follow in the traditions of painting, but also reflect the modern world. Alongside technical skills, in her teaching she focuses on helping the student to see the strength in their own work, identify what they need to focus on, and find a personal direction in their work.

Bairbre paints predominantly still lives and portraits.   She exhibits regularly and her work is in public and private collections. She has exhibited at the RHA Annual , the Dutch Zomerexpo  and has been twice shortlisted for the Dutch Portrait Prize and the Royal Talens Painting Award. 

SINEAD LAWLESS

Sinead is a Cork native and studied animation in DLIADT. After over a decade of working in animation, illustration and graphic design, Sinead chose to change her focus to painting and re-kindled her first love, art, right here at the Schoolhouse.

Sinead went on to win RTÉ's televised competition 'Painting the Nation' in 2016. In 2018 she was awarded the Provost Fund for The Visual and Performing Arts by Trinity College Dublin. Sinead's work is in private collections around the world and her winning piece from 'Painting the Nation' was acquired by the OPW. Sinead featured on the WakeUp with Headspace and came second (twice) on Sky Arts, Portrait Artist of the Week, also winning the accolade of 'sitters pick'. She most recently exhibited with ArtNetDLR and the RHA.

Sinead works predominantly in oils. She paints with emotion and an expressive colourful style. She is passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge.

"Drawing and painting are ways for me to play, observe and merge the inner and outer worlds and I am fascinated by the human psyche. For me the best vehicle for exploring emotion is portraiture and particularly small abstract moments..."

Sinead is a professional member of Visual Artists Ireland and Dublin Art Society www.sineadlawless.com

DAVE WEST

Dave West was born and raised in South Wales and is now settled in Balbriggan, North County Dublin. He studied at the Carmarthenshire College of Art & Design and recently completed a degree in Art History with the Open University. He has had numerous solo exhibitions. He has exhibited widely in Group Shows including the Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Ulster Academy and Eígse, and in the UK with the Royal West of England Academy, Royal Society of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Marine Artists, The New English Art Club, The Royal Society of British Artists, and the UK Pastel Society, at which he won the 2013 Schminke Award. In 2017 he won the Mayoral Gold Award at the 'Art In The Open' Plein Air painting festival.

Alan Clarke

Alan Clarke is a sculptor and illustrator. He was born into a family of artists, and first became a commercial illustrator, before gradually evolving into fine art and then into sculpture. From the outset his work focused on the human form, in it's endless variety and complexity. Sculpting from life in clay, his work is energetic but sensitive. He combines a knowledge of materials and anatomy with an in-depth understanding of drawing, design, and three dimensional form. He has worked and taught in studios in Ireland, Italy, England, Spain, Canada and Russia. His award winning work has been exhibited all over the world, and a large collection is held in the national collection by the National Library in Ireland. He is the only Irish member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors. He gives regular sculpture workshops, and is a drawing tutor at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.