dennis parker autumn 2023 art classes ​ Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Middx HA5 4EA 9.30 – 11.30 am 10 weekly classes For all levels from beginners to advanced with a mind open to exploring the wonder of the creative process For those painting for pleasure as well as those working towards GCSE, A-level, degree or beyond! A choice of working in any media including pencil, charcoal, pen and wash, watercolour, pastel, acrylic, oil, mixed media, print making etc (students are encouraged to explore all media eventually, especially acrylic, to maximise the scope of their creativity) A chance to have fun exploring all styles of interpretation from realism to abstraction, with demonstrations in all techniques Opportunity to develop and gain guidance on your portfolio for art college, degree and postgraduate courses For all classes, themes are suggested – not obligatory – so if you have other concepts you would prefer to explore you can do so instead, with Dennis’s help and guidance in navigating the creative process. Having explored essential techniques and styles students are encouraged to create inspiring and original work from their own references, such as observational drawings and photographs, rather than from magazine or internet images. ​ ​ MONDAY Monday 25 September -- 11 December excluding 23, 30 October Harvest Fruit & Vegetables Drawing / Watercolour / Acrylic / Oil An opportunity to develop your observational drawing and painting skills while exploring pictorial composition ​ ​ TUESDAY Tuesday 19 September – 5 December excluding 24, 31 October Autumn Woodland Studies Acrylic / Pastel An ideal class for beginners with no previous painting experience. We start with controlled colour mixing via three primary colours, then progress to a variety of exciting colour applications and techniques to develop confidence and produce expressive and atmospheric studies ​ ​ WEDNESDAY Wednesday 20 September – 6 December excluding 25 October, 1 November Close-up: Butterflies Pencil / Pastel / Pen & Wash / Mixed Media An opportunity to explore drawing and painting these elusive colourful and iridescent visitors from your own photos ​ ​ THURSDAY Thursday 21 September – 7 December excluding 26 October, 2 November Atmospheric Autumn Landscapes Acrylic /Mixed Media An ideal class for beginners with no previous painting experience. We start with controlled colour mixing via three primary colours, then progress to a variety of exciting colour applications and techniques to develop confidence and produce expressive and atmospheric studies ​ ​ FRIDAY Friday 22 September – 8 December excluding 27 October, 3 November Silky Milky Waterfalls Drawing / Watercolour / Acrylic / Mixed Media Explore the movement, turbulence and shifting patterns of cascading water. Consider adjusting slowing shutter speed when shooting these to create the desired silky milky effect Current students have priority until 30 June 2023 ______________________________________________________________________________________ dennis shaping air - photoshoots with photographic model / ballerina Within a small group, a unique opportunity to have a private photoshoot with an experienced photographic model/ballerina with the added dimension of professional photographic lighting. Artists wishing to explore the aesthetic of classical life poses, the fluidity of dance/movement and more unusual physically demanding short term photographic poses will be guided through the alchemy of photo composition using light, angle and shadow. Studio lighting, in tandem with filters and reflectors, enables us to explore ‘in-camera:’ framing a shot, perspective, subtleties and nuances of colour playing on the human form, plus the impact of angle and degree of light and shadow (chiaroscuro). Essential knowledge of your own camera, whether it is compact, bridge or DSLR, includes how to access: shutter priority, aperture priority, ISO and exposure compensation, to maximise the potential of the shoot.