Reflective Art Practice: Drawing,Painting, Mixed Media and Art History: The Modern British Landscape

Reflective Art in Practice: The Modern British Landscape: Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm

We very much look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the University of Southampton.

Unless otherwise stated, this Reflective Art in Practice course will be taught in person at our Highfield Campus, Building 34. Please click here to view a map of the Campus.

Please note: if you select the staff or student price option, you must use an online store account that has been set up with your University email address and fill out your University staff or student ID number when prompted as part of the questionnaire data section.

Unfortunately, you can only select the staff or student price option if you are a full time/ part time student of the University or staff member. 

When booking a course please do consult our Terms and Conditions which set out our cancellation and refund policy.

Please see our price list below:

Reflective Art in Practice: The Modern British Landscape - 8 week course

• Standard price - £145.00
• Staff/student/alumni price - £125.00

This 8-week course will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm starting on 14th October 2025 and finishing on 2nd December 2025.

For further information about this course, please click on Read More below.

Course Description

The Modern British Landscape

This module will examine the birth of Modernism and its relationship to landscape in British art.

‘Modernism refers to the broad movement in Western arts and literature that gathered pace from around 1850, and is characterised by a deliberate rejection of the styles of the past; emphasising instead innovation and experimentation in forms, materials and techniques in order to create artworks that better reflected modern society’ (Tate definition).

We will look at the changing social/ art historical context from late 19^th Century to 21^st Century and the impact on artists, each of whom bring their own agenda to the topic. During this module, you will explore the evolution of modern British landscape art from JMW Turner to Kurt Jackson.

Practical exercises will be undertaken in class using drawing materials, paint and collage, with personal references as a starting point.

This module combines lectures, a seminar component (discussions and analysis of artworks) and a workshop element. The latter (one and a half hour per two hour session) will explore various artistic styles and practical techniques in drawing, painting and mixed media.

Introduction

• The nature of Modern British Landscape
• John Constable
• Samuel Palmer
• John Ruskin

Part 2 – Workshop: Drawing in pencil

 

19^th Century Colourists

Part 1 – Looking at light

• Holman Hunt
• JMW Turner
• James McNeil Whistler

Part 2- Workshop: Pastel

 

The Camden Town Group

Part 1 – Developing visual language

• Malcolm Drummond
• Spencer Gore
• Robert Bevan

Part 2 – Workshop: Acrylic

 

Expressionism

Part 1 - Path to abstraction

• Graham Sutherland
• Paul Nash
• John Piper

Part 2 – Workshop: Watercolour and mixed media

 

The Cubist landscape

 Part 1 – Geometry and Modernism

• Christopher Nevinson
• Wyndham Lewis
• Ben Nicholson

Part 2 – Workshop: Charcoal and pen

 

The Surrealist Landscape

Part 1 – The Dream World

• Paul Nash
• John Tunnard
• Edward Wadsworth

Part 2- Workshop: Collage

 

Abstract Expressionism

Part 1 – The Influence of America

• Ivon Hitchens
• Gillian Ayres
• The Art of St Ives: Peter Lanyon

Part 2 - Workshop: Acrylic

   

Contemporary British Landscape Art

Part 1 – Current Trends

• Howard Hodgkin
• Bridget Riley
• Kurt Jackson

Part 2- Workshop: Mixed Media