Students fulfilled a fantastic day of learning yesterday, with a full morning of lessons and afternoon workshops.

The students undertaking the Sketching and Photography module as part of the New Perspectives programme ventured out to the Botanical Gardens, the most compact, yet diverse collection of plants anywhere in the world right in the heart of the city. Prior to this, earlier in the week the students began their session with sketching the Radcliffe Camera Library. The course is all about encouraging the students to find and turn on their creativity.

With the help of the fantastic professional photographer and editor, Jess Dixon, the students set about learning different aspects of scenic art, sketching, composition and photography. The stunning setting of Oxford University with its exquisite architecture provides the perfect inspiration for students to base their sketches and photographs. Students have undoubtedly developed their sketching and photography skills through their imaginative images using a broad range of different materials to produce their artwork, alongside cultivating their photographic skills.

In the evening, the students had the opportunity to witness some of nature’s finest birds of prey. They were able to hold, touch and stroke a real variety of owls, falcons and hawks. The counsellors then transitioned the students into Chango Lingo, banging bongos in a tribal fashion.