Bill Wright

With our extraordinary new home perched right at the edge of historic Regent's Canal, what finer way to take advantage of warm May and June Saturdays than by drawing, illustrating and painting London's waterways, barges, boats, bridges, locks and waterside activities? Beginning right at the foot of Central Saint Martins, we'll be able to wander the old horse's tow-paths of the canal, focusing with pencil, pen and brush on scenes from its past - fused with contemporary activities. We'll spend some time in studio developing sketches into more finished pieces, discussing methods and looking at other artists' work, but mostly we'll be outdoors, learning to see and capture the imagery of canals, ponds and rivers and their surroundings. You'll work on achieving waters sense of the softness, movement and reflection, against the hard surfaces of quay, lock gates and water-born traffic. We'll have trips by boat (modest fees apply) that will reveal hidden views of London and help immerse you in the culture of waterside activities. People who populate waterways will offer another rich subject for artistic interpretation, whether fishermen, boatman or simply those out to enjoy the day. Sketch (while you lunch) from a boat in the Thames, draw a canal-side market and depict historic bridges and waterside pubs. What's it like to live on a barge? We'll find out, and paint or draw it.

Regents Canal has been called 'a haven of peace and beauty in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world.' With the canal, its people and activities as our jumping off point, and with the Thames and ornamental water of London's parks beyond, we'll have a wealth of visual subject matter. Our focus, our task will be to observe and depict the beauty, variety, structures, boats people - and amazing visual effects of these wonderful waterways.

Open to all levels of ability. You're work should prove a lively addition to either a professional or academic-admissions portfolio.

Bill Wright is a practicing artist and has taught drawing, illustration and design in the US and UK. He is currently an Associate Lecturer on the illustration pathway of BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins.