Join us as we embark on a creative exploration of Great Massingham and its Biodiversity Project whilst being guided through a series of drawing approaches designed to stimulate observation and help us tune into our natural surroundings. During the 3 ½ hour session, Chris will introduce ways of drawing birds, insects, flora and landscape as we work to create our own artist’s book, which by the end of the session will be transformed into a personal narrative documenting the nature of Great Massingham.
Basic materials and paper will be provided. In addition, participants are encouraged to bring any drawing materials they like using, such as watercolour, as there will be an emphasis on working in mixed media.
‘Drawing in the Wild’ is suitable for adults aged 16 and over, including beginner to experienced artists, as well as nature lovers interested in drawing as a means to engage with the environment and see the natural world in a new way.
The start point and hub for the workshop is the Village Hall in Great Massingham where there is parking and toilet facilities. Great Massingham is a beautiful village with several attractive ponds and extensive open greens. The workshop will involve a short walk to the Biodiversity Project on Weasenham Road, taking in some of the other semi-natural habitats along the way. The village has a popular public house, The Dabbling Duck, and there is a small tearoom which offers light lunches behind the well stocked village stores. During the afternoon following the workshop there is an Art Trail on nearby Massingham Heath where you can meet and talk with around a dozen other SWLA artists about their work in the field. The workshop is offered as part of the SWLA Massingham Heath Project. For more information about the Project and the Art Trail please visit www.swla.co.uk.
Chris Wallbank SWLA is a Drawing Year alumnus and tutor with the Royal Drawing School and the King’s Foundation Building Craft Programme. He draws and paints in order to observe the natural world and the experience of landscape. His interest in the role visual art can play in presenting themes of ecology in a new light are central to his work and he regularly collaborates as an artist on conservation projects, such as the long term monitoring of Guillemots on Skomer Island and the preservation of Black Kites in New Delhi. His work has been exhibited widely, including exhibitions at City Art Centre Edinburgh, The Wellcome Collection, Christie’s London and Mandell’s Gallery, Norwich.
