Drawing and Painting the Constable Way

We will look at his practices in a presentation on arrival, followed by some ideas for gathering visual information in different ways in a sketchbook or drawing board.  There will be options to work from scenes in the field centre as well as from images provided or that you bring along, so you can carry on whatever the weather.  Some of my work from my artists residency at Flatford will be available to encourage you to personalise your influence from Constable and develop your own work.  There will be a trip on Sunday to a Constable exhibition to see the real thing.  Then return to explore composition principles as Constable did.  You will then have options to continue gathering observations or develop final compositions.  Constable used, pencil, watercolours and oils, you can choose whichever range you prefer, just pencil and watercolour, or opt for acrylics instead of oils.

Steve Joyce

Steve has been practicing his art and teaching art in a variety of further education colleges and other contexts for over 25 years.  He studied Fine Art at Norwich School of Art and attained a BA (Hons), then later MA in Contemporary Art & Professional Practice at Colchester Institute.  He has a wealth of experience from his diverse practice and teaching and great enthusiasm to share his fascination for how pictures can be made differently.
Steve will be the Flatford Artist in Residence for 2026
For further information and examples of previous student work:
Instagram: stevejoyceartist

www.facebook.com/creativesketchbooking
www.stevejoyce.co/teaching/

We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is un-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

Arrival day

Check-in is between 1600 and 1800. If you are arriving after 1800, please advise us so we can arrange a self-check-in.

You will meet the tutor at dinner, following which you will have your first session.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Full Board Accommodation
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
• 
  Picnic Lunch

What to bring

Essentials:

• Drawing Paper or Sketchbook as you prefer, up to A4 is ok or larger if you prefer (weight of paper 140gsm Cartridge Paper at least is best) Small size is easier to work on if you want to draw at the exhibition visit
• Graphite pencils options HB, B, 2B or if you prefer heavier 4B or more
• Watercolour Paints (any preferred kind tubes or pans, any colour range)
• Brushes for watercolour  - Sable, Synthetic or Blended as preferred - recommend  Small size 3 or 4 , Larger size 6 or 8

Optional: if you plan to work in various media, as Constable did

• Acrylics or Oils (A few basic colours are enough)*
  - Acrylics -  Palette needed and a palette knife useful ('Stay-wet' or similar palettes are useful to keep the paint from drying)
  - Oils - Palette needed and Turpentine  or similar dilutant such as Sansodor and a palette knife useful
• Bristle / Hog Brushes / Synthetic acrylic - No.4, 6, 8, 10 etc as preferred and any others you wish such as  No. 1 or No.2 for detail  any type round or flat as you prefer
• Your own resource images to work from, if you prefer, or use those provided

Other useful items:

• Eraser
• Sharpener or Craft knife

Equipment Provided:
I provide a Range of resource images/photographs to work from and some demonstration examples.

*  If you bring oil paints, Canvas clamps are useful to transport wet paintings when you leave, or bring 'Liquin' drier to help it dry quicker
*  If you plan to do heavy impasto in acrylics, canvas clamps are useful for transporting if still wet at the end