Art

facilitated by Janet Ayers

5 week on demand course

Mindful Creativity : forget your troubles while learning a new skill

Art course for complete beginners and those who are a bit rusty.

During the five weeks you’ll have opportunities to draw, make collage, create your images from looking at the world around you. Use whatever materials you have to hand: pens, paper, scrap paper and news papers, that old box of paints and pastels that have been sitting in the draw for years. Get to grips with line, tone, structure and composition. Plus you’ll have lots of fun!

5 Week Course

free Sample

What to expect

Week 1) Theme: View from my window LINE Main piece

Using your window as a ‘frame’ draw what you see from your window PREPARATION: Pens and pencils to draw with. Art paper, Art pad or A4 printing paper. Surface or board to lean on

Week 2) Theme: My favourite things FORM Main piece

Draw favourite things describing their form, e.g. cylinder, square, sphere PREPARATION You will need to collect together items for a still life and position them on a table in front of you Draw or paint them still using line e.g. pen, pencil, brush. Art paper, Art pad or A4 printing paper. Surface or board to lean on

Week 3) Theme: My favourite things part 2 TONE AND COLOUR Main Piece

Continue with subject and introduce hot and cold colours PREPARATION: You will need a strong light source/lamp for this week. Charcoal and/or colour pastels, paints. Art pad or paper and board

Week 4) Theme: My favourite artwork COMPOSTION – COLLAGE Main piece

Re-create your favourite painting in collage (paper, fabric, clothes!) PREPARATION: You will need to print out the image that has been sent to you Collect collage material before the session: newspapers, magazine, scrap paper, menus, envelopes, packaging, fabric and/or clothes. Glue and scissors. You don’t have to cut the fabric if you are creating a large piece on the floor.

Week 5) Theme: Self-portrait OBSERVATION

LINE, FORM, TONE Draw, paint or collage a self-portrait in the style of an artist PREPARATION You will need to source and print out a portrait by and artist to copy their style Use a mirror, a photo on a tablet or a printed photo of yourself. This needs to be a decent size Choose if you want to draw, paint or collage the final piece

Janet Ayers

Janet Ayers studied Art, Photography, Art History and Theatre Studies at school. After her Foundation course at West London College she went onto Portsmouth Art College where she gained an BA(hons) in Illustration. After graduation she began a career in Arts Administration and Publishing. When she moved back to Portsmouth in 2002 that's when her community music career took off and the art stuff was put on hold. Printmaking was a way back in for Janet to re-awaken her passion for art, attending courses at the Badger Press, Red Hot Press and Omega Printmakers. She has exhibited with the Society of Woodengravers (as a student entry) and also with Omega Printmakers. Many of you may know Janet for her Community Choir and singing for wellbeing work, circle dance groups and as a performer. Portsmouth University has recognised her contribution to the local creative music community by awarding her an honorary degree (rescheduled for May 2021) . Since lockdown she's been able to carry on some of her singing work online, but not all. So as one door closes for a while, Janet is taking this opportunity to get back into drawing, painting and creating and would like you to join in too. www.janetayers.org

Learn - Practice - Have Fun

Art course for complete beginners and those who are a bit rusty.

No experience needed

This art course is for anyone who thinks they can’t draw; wants to draw but doesn’t know where to start; and for those who have not drawn in years.

Purchase the course £33

5 week course

I love Janet’s style. There is no feeling of pressure but lots of inspiration. Knowing the theme of what we were doing every week in advance meant that you could spend a little time thinking about what you might do, which was itself pleasurable. Being able to see how Janet herself works means you absorb techniques as you go. Brilliant. Thank you.

an exciting and happy time following the different ways to make Art I am having an exciting and happy time following the different ways to make Art in a none examined atmosphere. A game just for the pleasure of keeping head above water in these peculiar times. A super leader. I actually showed my family on whatsap the things I am doing. Unusual because I hide everything in case it's awful. Don't mind if it is right now. Have trouble with the technical side though. I get help fortunately. Thank you

Hugely enjoying. Clear, well-thought-out classes. Makes art approachable and worthwhile. Friendly atmosphere and collaborative feel. Thank you.