Art History Courses 

“Colours are the deeds and the sufferings of light” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In 1791, the German poet Goethe borrowed a glass prism but left it unused for a long time. When he finally looked through it at a blank, sunlit wall, he expected to see a rainbow. Instead, the wall remained plain white. This single moment sparked a legendary scientific debate.

In the world of watercolour, we shall explore the historical debate that has shaped our perception of colour by comparing the contrasting ideas of Sir Isaac Newton (1643 – 1727) and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832), while also drawing on insights from modernist master Paul Klee. Participants will learn the foundational techniques of watercolour to create radiant artwork.

We will examine Newton’s physical prism of split light alongside Goethe’s poetic and psychological approach to human emotional responses to colour. By mastering the essential methods of watercolour painting, we will build depth and vibrancy through layers of transparent washes. 

Together, we will create a series of images that illustrate advanced colour interactions (hues, tones, and saturation), leading to a portfolio of luminous studies that reflect historical colour philosophies. We will then move from structured technical colour exercises into independent exploration, culminating in a unified series of related artworks (abstract or realistic) that tell a story through colour.

Course Dates:

3 day course over 3 consecutive weeks – 9:30am to 1pm

Tuesday 11th August, Monday 17th August, Monday 24th August 

Course cost £105.00