Approaches to Abstraction
Approaches to Abstraction
Discover a personal, responsive approach to the act of creating
This 8 week scheduled course is for artists confident with their chosen media and would like to reflect on where they are and how abstract they want their work to be.
About this course
Are you confident with your chosen media but want to develop a more abstract approach? Maybe you want to know how to develop and gather resources for your ideas. On this unique and transformative course you will discover a framework to create meaningful work.
This course was developed from many years experience, as both an artist and as an educator. I was increasingly aware that whilst there are many ‘how-to’ courses out there, not many courses deal with ‘What? and ‘Why?” In 2024 this course will be a scheduled course run over 8 weeks, is designed to help artists find their subject matter, explore it fully and create work as a response to it.
There is a lot of tutor support. You will have the opportunity to interact and share work and ideas with me and other students on the specialist course platform (not Facebook).
What media? The course is not media specific; past students have been painters, printmakers and photographers. It’s aimed at either artists who want to be more abstract than they currently are, or those who work abstractly but want their work to be about more than just the process.
The course is not time specific, so wherever you are in the world you can take it! The course content is a mix of video and text and as you get lifetime access you can revisit it as often as you like. We will meet up during the course on Zoom to answer any questions, these will be recorded for those who cannot attend. In addition I am available every day of the scheduled time to answer questions, and comment on group discussions.
The course is the natural next progression from either my Confident Composition or Urban Explorations courses.
Course cost: £400
Course dates: 3 June – 28 July 2024
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NEW! CREATIVE THEMES
I will soon release a new self paced course called CREATIVE THEMES. This short course will teach you how to find an idea and dig deep to uncover a wealth of meaningful starting points. This is the perfect course to take before taking Approaches to Abstraction.
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* Please note: taking this course does not guarantee you a place on Approaches to Abstraction, places are limited on my scheduled courses.
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“In the past I’ve just done work that I found intuitive and easy but I really wanted more this time. It’s not a quick process but a very enjoyable journey into my inner self, a transformative experience” Anne
Examples of students’ work
Testimonials
Why did I create this course?
I had taught Fine Art and Art History at college level for over 20 years, on leaving the profession I went on to take my MA in Fine Art which was very challenging but highly rewarding.
I felt most online courses focussed mostly on process, applying paint etc and missed out, or even discouraged, any development of intention and subject matter. My own final pieces are abstract, but are firmly based on reality, research and reflection. On the course I encourage students to decide on an intention/idea and dig deep into all aspects of it before embarking on creating. The range of intentions is huge and can be external: based on what one sees, a sense of place, or more internal: dealing with memory etc.
Who is this course aimed at?
This course is for experienced artists who are drawn to abstract elements, who wish to move into abstraction as a genre or who are already creating abstract work but feel there must be more to being an artist than just process. Artists working in any media are welcome to join us, I will be teaching concepts and approaches that are relevant to all media. It is ideal for students who want to develop a ‘line of enquiry’ by exploring their subject matter and finding abstract elements. Whilst not a prerequisite this course is a natural progression from my Confident Composition and Urban Explorations courses . This course is only offered once a year and enrolment is limited to ensure the very best experience for the participating artists.
How is the course structured?
During the course we will cover four areas of creativity… IDEAS: looking at how other artists approach the genre, defining where you are now, exploring possible personal projects. COLLECT: gathering imagery, thoughts, memories… filling our ‘creative fridge’! Approaches to mark making as a way to reveal your unique self. CONSIDER: developing what we have gathered, and exploring approaches to simplification, colour, composition, and texture CREATE: moving into creating outcomes allowing room for intuition through ‘call and respond’. Reflecting on your progress and deciding when its finished!
What this course is not!
This course is not about providing a you with a formula for making abstract style paintings. Abstraction is an approach, an attitude…not a style. You can find out more about this by reading my blog post here.
It is not a ‘paint-along’ workshop, I will not be teaching you how to paint, I do that on my PUSHING PAINT and URBAN EXPLORATIONS courses and there will be more painting courses coming soon. The expectation is you are already comfortable with your media. If you are unsure if it is what you need please email me.
Why choose me to teach you?
As a highly qualified and experienced tutor I can teach, teach well and I love it! Being a full time professional artist means I face the same struggles too. These are strategies I have built over 40 years and now I want to share them with you.
I hope this will be one of many workshops you take with me, all we be exciting, thought provoking and packed with information. Known for my endless curiosity and hope that “What if….?” becomes your mantra too!
Find out more about me here.
Course FAQs
This is a Level 3 course which is very popular but quite intensive, as such I only run this once a year. The course runs for six weeks.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND AT A SPECIFIC TIME?
No, the only timed element is the four Q&A zoom meetings, and they are recorded if you cannot attend. The rest is prerecorded video and text. New content is available each week and I am on the course platform everyday to answer questions and join in discussions.
WHAT MEDIUM WILL WE WORK IN?
This is a Level 3 course that deals with creative concepts, and not a specific media so you can use any media you like! I will be demonstrating a few approaches using acrylics as that is quicker….
IS THERE TUTOR INTERACTION?
Yes, on the main course I am available to answer practical questions and I check in daily to comment on ideas and discussions, but I don’t specifically critique your work. Each activity has a forum where you can share your work with other students taking the workshop (not Facebook).
IS THERE AN ONLINE COMMUNITY?
Yes, all course participants have the option of sharing work they create within each module of the course. There you can share your work and ideas if you wish to do so and see work by other students.
Can I pay in any currency?Of course! The payment is set in GDP as I am in the UK but when you pay it will convert to your own currency
CAN I PAY IN MY CURRENCY?
Of course! The payment is set in GDP as I am in the UK but when you pay it will convert to your own currency
HOW DO I ACCESS THE COURSE?
You will be asked to register on the teaching platform Ruzuku. That is where the course lives.
HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT TO SPEND?
Expect to put aside 3-4 hours a week to watch the videos and complete the tasks (add an extra hour if you have a Personal Portfolio). Although I am only available during the scheduled 6 weeks ALL the content, come with lifetime access.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT?
The classes are delivered in video format via the online platform Ruzuku. There is also additional written content in the form of downloadable PDF’s
WHAT INTERNET CONNECTION WILL I NEED?
To get the most out of the class you need to have a high speed internet connection and newer computer or mobile device that is equipped to stream video off of the internet.
WHAT LEVEL ARE THE CLASSES?
The classes on this course are Level 3 and are suitable for artists who have established skills in any media. From 2023 priority will be given to those who have taken Confident Composition or Urban Explorations as both give a firm grounding for this course If you are unsure then please email me at sally@sallyhirst.co.uk.
DO I NEED ALL OF THE SUPPLIES?
No, I encourage you to work with what you have and adapt the classes to suit your needs. I am all for mixing things up and experimenting with materials! There is a supply list available in advance for each course.
DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?
With my scheduled courses if you feel they are not right for you I will refund you within a week of your booking/the course starting, (less an admin fee) or a full credit towards another class. I encourage you to fully read through the class details and contact me if you have any questions prior to signing up. If once you have started you feel it not for you then please email me to discuss at sally@sallyhirst.co.uk.
You can find my full Terms & Conditions here.