Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture in West Midlands

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Urban Sketching in the Jewellery Quarter Workshop
Arts & CultureWorkshops & Classes

Urban Sketching in the Jewellery Quarter Workshop

Urban Sketching in the Jewellery Quarter with Ed Isaacs PRBSA. Urban sketching is a great way of getting to know your town – its architecture and townscape. It is also an immensely satisfying way of developing your drawing skills either individually, or as part of the wider urban sketching community. This one-day workshop will help you discover Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter and its unique mix of 19th century industry, shops, bars, and housing. We will spend time outdoors sketching and Ed will look at issues such as tackling perspective, understanding architecture, and developing your personal drawing style. We will look at many of the buildings that feature in Ed’s book about the Jewellery Quarter and he will talk about their history and the history of the area in general. The course will involve walking will not be suitable for people who have very limited mobility Age group and abilities to be taught 18 years and above Ideal for beginners and experienced artists Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught Developing confidence with sketching from direct observation Understanding building forms and perspective Course outline for the day Morning activity Short presentation on perspective Sketching on site in the Jewellery Quarter Return to Gallery to share work and receive feedback Afternoon activity Return to sketching on site in neighbouring streets looking at architectural details and drawing natural forms and foliage Return to Gallery to share work...

Wed 19 Aug12:00RBSA Gallery
Cut and Fold - Exploring Paper Workshop
Arts & CultureWorkshops & Classes

Cut and Fold - Exploring Paper Workshop

Cut and Fold – Exploring Paper Workshop with Clare Pentlow ARBSA. A day exploring paper art and the many different possibilities it holds through cutting and folding. Initially we’ll be looking at geometric folding from simple pop ups to more complex designs. Later in the afternoon it’ll be paper cutting and gaining confidence with the scalpel whilst creating your own unique artwork. Throughout the day you’ll gain an insight into how Clare creates her own paper cut art and how, with a little practice and patience, similar work can be achieved. Clare will also show how other paper artists work and how paper has been used to create art across the world. Age group and abilities to be taught 18 years and above Ideal for beginners and experienced artists Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught Geometric folding Confidence with a scalpel Paper sculpture through cutting and folding How to create your own designs Course outline for the day Morning activity Geometric folding Learn some of the basic shapes and language in origami and how to interpret different designs Enjoy creating your own designs Looking at origami artists/paper engineers to further explore Afternoon activity Learn how Clare creates her own unique paper art Simple cutting techniques to gain confidence in using a scalpel Different ways to sculpt paper and combing cutting and folding What you need to bring with you: You may wish to bring your own scalpel with you What we will provide: All materials...

Thu 20 Aug12:00RBSA Gallery
Ghalamzani Metal Engraving Workshop
Arts & CultureWorkshops & Classes

Ghalamzani Metal Engraving Workshop

Ghalamzani Metal Engraving Workshop with Hadi Ghahramanpouri. Participants will be able to get a taste of Ghalamzani metal engraving and will create a sample piece within the session. By using thin aluminium/copper sheets (0.1mm), the engraving can easily be done with a chisel. Ghalamzani metal engraving often uses processes such as moulding with bitumen, continuous hammering, or controlled heating. However, in this taster workshop, a simplified approach enables participants to complete their own piece during the workshop and take it home at the end, while still gaining an introduction to the techniques and appreciation of the craft. This course aims to introduce participants to the fundamental techniques of traditional metal engraving, with a focus on working with aluminium/copper. Participants will gain both practical skills and an understanding of the craft’s discipline. Age group and abilities to be taught 18 years and above Ideal for beginners and experienced artists Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught Understand how to prepare metal sheets and transfer simple patterns Learn the correct way to hold and use a hammer and chisel for engraving Practise basic engraving techniques on metal, developing confidence with tools Experience the time, patience, and precision required in this art form Appreciate the challenges and rewards of traditional metal engraving as a craft Course outline for the day Morning activity Introduction to the history and artistry of...

Fri 21 Aug12:00RBSA Gallery
Drawing Small Portraits on Paper Workshop
Arts & CultureWorkshops & Classes

Drawing Small Portraits on Paper Workshop

Drawing Small Portraits on Paper Workshop with Bing Shi RBSA. Improve your understanding of the values and focal points used in portrait drawing. This workshop will show you how to produce small scale portrait drawings in a time efficient manner, which is great preparation for developing larger scale works. Age group and abilities to be taught 18 years and above Ideal for beginners and experienced artists Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught To understand the key values and focal points used in portrait drawing To summarise and abstract the key values and choose key focal features of the human face Learn how to select an appropriate reference photo for drawing from Learn how to use a range of different pencils with varying degrees of hardness/softness Course outline for the day Morning activity Introduction including health and safety Lecture form the tutor and demonstration of how small-scale drawings work Lecture and demonstration of values and focal points used and observed in portrait drawing Help with selecting the right photo for drawing from Application of the above with given photos with the guidance/help of the tutor Afternoon activity One-to-one feedback and clinic of the morning’s drawings Application of the morning’s skills on self-chosen photos/portrait images One-to-one feedback and clinic of the afternoon’s drawings What you need to bring with you: Pencils, including HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B Rubbers Drawing paper, no smaller than A5 Mobile...

Sat 22 Aug12:00RBSA Gallery
Lino Reduction Printmaking Workshop
Arts & CultureWorkshops & Classes

Lino Reduction Printmaking Workshop

Lino Reduction Printmaking Workshop with Jenny Mason-Gunning ARBSA. Participants will learn lino reduction plate making and printing, exploring multi-layer colour techniques using safe, professional methods suitable for home or studio practice. Learners will develop the ability to carve multiple layers from a single lino block, understanding how to plan and sequence colours, register each layer accurately, ink and roll consistently, and print both by hand and using a press. They will gain confidence in controlling colour, detail, and alignment across several print stages. Age group and abilities to be taught 18 years and above Ideal for beginners and experienced artists Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught Gain a clear understanding of the full reduction printing process, from design and block preparation through to multi-layer printing Explore tools, carving techniques, safe handling, ink mixing, rolling methods, and professional registration systems Learn to use registration pins and tabs, and how to maintain accurate alignment throughout the reduction process Produce a small edition Leave with the knowledge and confidence to continue lino reduction at home, using either hand printing or a press Course outline for the day Morning activity Short introduction and talk on reduction linocut, tools, ink, papers, and registration Demonstration of designing and carving the fist layer of the lino block Participants will begin carving their own lino block and...

Tue 25 Aug12:00RBSA Gallery
Leaded Panel Stained-Glass Workshop
Arts & CultureWorkshops & Classes

Leaded Panel Stained-Glass Workshop

Leaded Panel Stained-Glass Workshop with Vix Brown. Participants will create a stained-glass panel using traditional leading techniques. The finished panel will be approximately 12cm x 34cm in dimension. THIS WORKSHOP IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE WHO IS PREGNANT, TRYING TO GET PREGNANT, OR BREASTFEEDING. Age group and abilities to be taught 18 years and above Ideal for beginners and experienced artists Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught Participants will be guided through creating their very own stained-glass heart panel Participants will cut glass, assemble with lead and solder, then cement to form the finished piece Course outline for the day The day will include the following activities Select a design from the selection brought by the tutor Choose glass from selection brought by the tutor Cut and refine Build panel Solder Add hanging wire Cement Pick, clean, and polish The tutor will demonstrate each stage and will be on hand to help each participant as much or as little as required. What you need to bring with you: An apron/overall Participants MUST wear solid soled, closed toed shoes ‘Work clothes’ are advised as the process is very messy What we will provide: Gloves and masks will be provided, participants may bring their own if preferred All specialist material will be provided Methods of assessing outcomes Feedback from tutor Group discussion Completion of evaluation form Booking information To book please use the ticketing system below.

Wed 26 Aug12:00RBSA Gallery

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