About
White is symbolic of spiritual consciousness and knowledge. It symbolises purity and has associations with the moon. It reflects all and therefore gives nothing but itself. In this sense, it is seen as the ‘father’, whereas darkness, which absorbs and contains all colour, is the ‘mother’.
White is the manifestation of the mystery of darkness. It is the other side of darkness and resides within darkness just as darkness resides within light/white. Without the other, neither can exist. White is the physical ‘created’ light whereas gold denotes spiritual, ‘uncreated’ light, eternal light which existed before the creation.
The first day of the workshop will be an enquiry into the nature of white, how it is made alchemically from darkness and its symbolic nature in the souls the awakening.
The second day will be a practical exploration with ink and brush on paper journeying into the nature of white in all its aspects through the seven tones and the seven levels of being, each tone expressing a different stage in the evolution of the soul’s awakening.
Key Information
Who is this workshop for?
Students of all levels and experience are welcome.
You must be aged 18 or over to participate in our online programmes.
What days/times do I attend?
Thursday – Friday, 9 – 10 April 2026, 10:00 -13:00
Times are given in British Summer Time (GMT+1)
How do I attend the online class?
This class will take place on Zoom, an online meeting platform. A link for joining the Zoom meeting will be in your confirmation email after booking.
What materials do I need?
- watercolour or gouache paints: cadmium red, red ochre or burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, viridian green, terre verte, chromium oxide, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, black, burnt umber, titanium white, zinc white
- A4 watercolour paper 300gm hot pressed and smooth (otherwise with as littletexture as possible), minimum 12 sheets.
- pointed round watercolour brushes, suggested sizes 2, 3, 4
- a flat watercolour brush approximately 10mm width
- masking tape
- a standard compass
- pencil, eraser, sharpener
- a ruler
- watercolour palette
- a jar with water for cleaning your brushes
- a glue stick or PVA glue
- sheets of coloured paper (matte, not glossy), A4 or at least 12 x 12 inches: deep red – 4 sheets, pale pink – 2 sheets, pale green – 2 sheets, neutral grey (light to middle tone) – 2 sheets, dark purple – 1 sheet, orange – 1 sheet.
Online Learning
What if I have questions during the workshop?
This will be a small workshop; Students will be able to ask questions via chat or unmute themselves.
Students will also have access to our online learning platform, Thinkific, where we share supplementary content.
I live in a different time zone, can I still attend?
We encourage you to attend the course in real time to really benefit from instruction; however, if you are unable to attend live due to the difference in time you can catch up via recordings on our online learning platform, Thinkific. These recordings are available for a limited time after the course.
Recordings cannot be purchased separately if the course is fully booked or if the course has already started.
Tips:
You must download the Zoom app and create a free account before the class begins, so that you can use the full range of features:
- You can create your free account here
- You can download the Zoom app onto your computer or device here
- You can create your free account here
FAQs
Do you offer concessions?
Yes, we offer concessions for Seniors/60+, full-time students and people who are unemployed/in receipt of benefits.
Concessions cannot be applied in retrospect. To receive a concession, please apply via our online form. We will then send you a discount code to use when booking your space.
What if I need to change or cancel my booking?
No refunds, unless cancelled by the School. If you cancel up to 1 week before the workshop starts, we can offer a transfer to another workshop of equivalent value, subject to availability.
Tutor Biography
Dr. David Noel Harvard Cranswick received his MA fine art degree from the Royal Academy of Art. In 1999 he received his PhD from HRH Prince of Wales at St James Palace for practical research into mediaeval and renaissance painting materials and techniques. From 1984 David served as personal apprentice to Cecil Collins until his death in 1989. In 1989 David was invited by Professor Keith Critchlow to run regular workshops to the MA and PhD students, where he continues to teach as senior tutor at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. He teaches regularly in the UK and internationally. David is personal tutor to several Royalties and prominent figures. He has works in royal collections (including King Charles III) also prominent establishments in the UK and abroad. David is resident artist in Cowdray Castle. David has appeared in BBC television programmes and radio interviews. Articles published include art magazines and newspapers. He has exhibited internationally since 1979 and undertaken portrait commissions. In 2024 David received the Teaching Award from King Charles III for 35 years of dedicated teaching. Dr. Cranswick has written a book on desert pigments of AlUla. He is currently writing a book on traditional painting methods.
