In a series of playful workshops, illustrator Gabrielle Reith will guide participants in using illustration as a storytelling tool. Each session encourages a fun, uninhibited approach, giving participants the freedom to experiment with different materials while developing their own narratives through a variety of basic illustration techniques, all within a creative and supportive environment.
In this 9-week course, participants will explore storytelling through illustration, experimenting with a variety of techniques and materials to bring their narratives to life through different processes.
Each session starts with playful drawing exercises designed to help beginners ease into their creative practice, encouraging imagination and experimentation. The course begins with basic line drawings using graphite and charcoal, followed by an exploration of a reduction technique.
Next, participants will move on to black-and-white ink compositions, experimenting with a range of tools such as pens, brushes, wooden sticks, and found objects.
The group will then explore "wash drawing," experimenting with graphite, ink, wax, and watercolour to create expressive, layered artwork. Following this, participants will experiment with colour by working with a limited two-colour palette to convey a story of place, incorporating ink and oil pastels into their work.
As the course progresses, participants will be invited to create a portrait that tells a story of identity using paper, masking tape, scissors, and craft knives. Mirrors will be introduced as a tool to explore reflection and self-portraiture in this process.
The course then shifts to interpreting the story of an unfamiliar object, using acrylic paint as a medium for experimentation.
Next, participants will explore printmaking, starting with screen printing using stencils in abstract shapes, followed by block printing, where participants can experiment with wordplay and storytelling through collage.
The focus on storytelling will culminate in a final, layered artwork, up to A3 size, which could take the form of a book cover, poster, or any other creative expression of their narrative.
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:30 – 21:00 every Monday for 9 weeks, excluding public holidays.
Participants are asked to bring:
- Week 2: An object from home
- Week 3: A small mirror
- Week 4: A minimum of 2 photographs of a place(s) digital /physical photographs
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 8 in the group
- 22.5 hours of teaching in total over 9 evenings, 18:30 – 21:00
Timetable
- Week 1: 13 January 2025 workshops start
- 20 January - no workshop due to tutor availability
- Week 2: 27 January
- Week 3: 3 February
- 10 February - no workshop due to public holiday
- Week 4: 17 February
- Week 5: 24 February
- Week 6: 3 March
- Week 7: 10 March
- Week 8: 17 March
- Week 9: 24 March - last workshop
Independent Study
Students are encouraged to create and maintain their own personal sketchbook which reflects their own creative practice involving the documentation of processes, learnings, and inspirations.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Gabrielle Reith graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 1998 with an honour’s degree in Drawing and Painting. Since graduating she has forged a successful career as an artist with work in collections worldwide. Her work is the magical world of ‘Small Stories’ where every piece tells a tale. She makes elaborate pen & ink drawings that evolve into beautiful stories based on her & her children’s imagination, infused with traditional tales.
Edit
Gabrielle's work is currently exhibited and can be purchased from Edit in the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen.
Edit is an independent lifestyle store celebrating designers, artists and makers from North East Scotland, delivered by Sally Reaper and Claire Bruce from the Look Again team, Gray’s School of Art and Deemouth Artist Studios in Partnership with Bon Accord.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This course is suitable for beginners.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2024/2025
Course fee: £270 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.
After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.
Additional Costs
Essential core materials are provided.
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
Course Cancellation
If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.
If you have registered and paid for your place on the course, but now wish to cancel, please email engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 48 hours prior to the first evening session commencing.
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with the Engage Team and we'll do our best to help.