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A film about art teacher Robin Child (74 mins).

Filmed during a “Bright on Bright” course at Robin Child’s studio. We, the viewer, start on Monday morning with a class of eighteen others, some regular course goers and others there for the first time. With lectures and slideshows, comments from pupils past and present we are privileged to observe the interaction and atmosphere created by one of the most inspirational teachers of art.

The 'students' on this 5 day course are from very varied backgrounds, there is an ex-bishop, a director of Arsenal football club, a TV producer of ‘Black Adder’, ‘Drop the Dead Donkey’, an ex pupil of Robin Child's from Downe House who has been going to his courses for over 15 years, an ex-school teacher who had no art training and his first time on the course proves to be the start of his career as a painter...and more.

For many years Robin Child had flatly refused to be filmed by several television companies but Helena Wakefield, who had attended many of Robin Child's courses persuaded him to let Robin Kewell in with his cameras to record a week of dynamism and energy from a teacher who provokes and praises all in the same breath. Robin Child's daughter will be known by many, Lauren Child has won many awards for her children's books.

This film was selected to represent Cornwall at the Celtic Film Festival in feature documentaries. Robin Kewell will present the film and tell some stories from behind the lens. Showing some examples of how people’s work changed almost over night.

"After watching this film you will be rushing home to start painting, I went from timid sketchy drawings to full-on large canvasses" Robert Kenny-Smith (First time course goer)

“After two days I was exhausted, on the third day I wanted to give up, on the fourth day ‘something’ happened and from day five my painting has never been the same”
Helena Wakefield (after being on one of Robin Child’s courses)

Event listed by RKA

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