The Abstract Garden

A mixed-media exploration of the garden environment through the seasons and senses.

Over this six week course, you will be encouraged to experiment with a variety of media, considering shape, colour and texture, to create contemporary abstract garden-inspired pieces.

The course is aimed at adventurous beginners or those with some art experience who wish to develop ideas or extend their skills.

Each week (or two depending on the particular project) we will explore how to express the garden environment by abstracting the elements of colour and shape and the application of a variety of painting and drawing media (acrylics, watercolour, monoprinting and graphic media including pencils, pens and charcoal).

Each week tutor Peter will provide inspiration through demonstrations and examples of other artists’ work. This will include visual reference material – photographs, objects etc – and students are encouraged to bring their own references to make their work more personal.

We will explore how the garden feels/makes us feel as much as how it looks. Specific projects will explore:

Time – the passing seasons

Order and movement – nature and culture

Chance and change

The intimate garden – the garden in details

Pattern and colour

Some artists (in no particular order) to explore: Lesley Seeger, Angie Lewin, Patrick Heron, Japanese monastery gardens, Ann Blockley, Andy Goldsworthy, Hokusai, Fiona Rae, Peter Lanyon, Sue Johnson, Manda Beeching, Mark Hearld and Emily Sutton.

Tutor Peter Clayton holds a Fine Art degree and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Over a 40+ year career he has shown in over 160 solo and group exhibitions and has collaborated widely with artists of various disciplines, undertaken residences, and worked with local authorities, museums, interior designers and publishers. His personal work has encompassed a wide variety of painting and printmaking media. Subject matter has been inspired by the landscape (particularly woodland), architecture and family history. Peter has taught courses in Adult and Further Education at numerous venues for 36 years and has been a tutor at Attenborough Arts for 25 years.

All materials will be provided.

This 6-week course will run on Wednesdays 10am – 1pm, starting on 14 May with the final session on 18 June 2025.

Participants must be aged 18+.

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort Hall).