Paint workshop
Go beyond the canvas – create, explore and enhance your practice.
BSU is one of the few universities to have a painting workshop, as well as a dedicated painting technician. Working with the technician, you'll deal with paint and other fluid materials, not just as a picture makers, but also makers of things.
You'll explore various painting techniques from the Renaissance to modern contemporary, with access to tools and equipment including a ball mill for grinding pigment, thermostatically controlled hotpots for varnish and medium making, and peristaltic (or roller) pumps for painting machines.
Expand your knowledge with specialist workshops on making paint, varnishes and mediums, colour theory, hanging and displaying 2D artworks. We also offer bespoke workshops on things like making paint into textiles, fresco making, and pigment from unusual things.
Want something more outlandish? We'll make paint out of anything. Dirt, food, metals, blood, plants – we'll give anything a go. You could also try your hand at making painting machines and paint bombs!
What's on offer
- Surface preparation and priming – board, panel, canvas (cotton duck, linen union, calico), paper and metal for oil and acrylic, and many other types of paint
- Paint making – including choosing and grinding pigment and combining with oil or other suitable mediums
- Painting grounds (including Gesso)
- Paint medium and varnish making (both modern and traditional)
- Painting techniques of all kinds
- Water-based paint spraying techniques
- Natural resin and wax techniques.
Discover something new
Almost all of our workshops are open for all students to use, after appropriate tuition and health and safety introductions. It doesn't matter what course you're studying – we encourage you to break boundaries and explore new disciplines.