Upcoming Workshops

This is a workshop for all level of illustrators or budding storytellers.  It will predominantly be using the professional sketching process called thumbnails, to sketch out a storyline of choice, or one provided. There will be a brief introduction, explaining the format of the day, followed by some pointers and technical insights into book publishing and self-initiated work.

This workshop is a fun, right-brain stimulating exploration of the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh and is open to all levels of artist from professional to complete beginner. You will look at some reproductions of van Gogh’s works and Sarah will demonstrate some of his techniques before you either create your own version of his painting or use his style to paint an image of your own. You may like to bring a reference photo to work from if you would prefer to create an original painting.

This is a one day workshop that will show you how to draw a portrait of an Owl with Graphite (Lead) Pencil. Using photographs supplied by your tutor you will be shown how to draw feathers, eyes, beak and other techniques such as layering, blending, texturing and lifting highlights with an eraser. This is an ideal introduction for students who would like to explore the varied skills and techniques associated with graphite pencils. By the end of the day you will have completed a number of exercises and one drawing. Ideal for beginners and students with some knowledge of the medium.

This is a one day workshop that will show you how to paint big sky paintings using watercolour and white paint wet in wet. During the day you will be shown how to paint on to wet paper, lift off with tissue, mix strong dark colours, how to use white paint such as Chinese White, Gouache or white ink and how to produce paintings where the sky dominates the picture. By the end of the day you will have produced at least 2 paintings. Ideal for beginners and students with some knowledge of the medium.

In this beginners workshop, Kaye will share her enthusiasm and passion for watercolour and demonstrate the very basic techniques of watercolour.  She will encourage you begin to relax and experiment with this enchanting, beautiful and exciting medium. 

Kaye’s workshop will be aimed at capturing the essence of spring flowers in a loose and spontaneous way using a variety of techniques.  

Look carefully at the structure and reflective nature of waves, still water and foam, and how to achieve the illusion of moving water and light through paint. This workshop with popular tutor Jenny Aitken will cover composition, colour, brushwork and depth, with special emphasis on movement and atmosphere. Learn how to construct a painting in order to best tell the visual story, how to begin it and methodically work through to a successful conclusion. 

This workshop with the ever-popular Judi Trevorrow will look a different ways of using pen in combination with watercolour. Lear to work quickly, loosely and then in more detail. You will use pen first to create a drawing which will then be developed with the addition of watercolour paint. Students will aim to produce 4 studies over the course of the day, developing a deeper understanding of the medium.

Through demonstration Amanda will share mixed media techniques whilst guiding you through her creative process from start to finish. You will then work on producing your own painting, while being encouraged to experiment with mixed media, oils and pastels. Amanda understands the importance of giving everyone the chance to find their own style that will motivate them to keep making art at home.

This is an inspiring 2 day course for all abilities to try a portrait for the first time or improve on your existing portrait painting skills. Mark will demonstrate and guide you through his well-structured approach to painting a portrait, breaking it down into easy to follow steps. He will cover everything from his choice of materials and colour palette, and setting up, to colour-mixing, and how tone and colour temperature can be used to describe structure, shape and form.

This workshop with talented visiting artist Yana Trevail will cover A Tonal Approach to Painting, a method that uses simple still life and self-portrait exercises to develop a clear understanding of tone, by deconstructing what you see into a basic visual grammar of form and colour, dark and light. Using acrylic, students engage with the technique through monochrome exercises painted from direct observation.

This workshop is a guide to making an oil painting in the studio. You will look at how best to gather source material, then how to get started on a final painting. After a brief demonstration, students will begin their own painting. We will look at how one might begin on a ‘blank canvas’, how to build up a work paying attention to tone and colour, how to spot problems along the way and some possible finishing touches

Learn how to create a free flowing an epressivelandscape reflected in still lake waters, while looking closely at shapes and boundaries within your composition. Your friendly tutor will also explain the benefits of painting wet-in-wet, such as brilliant colours and atmospheric mark-making.

The workshop will include a final stage of considering troubleshooting strategies and ways to review your “finished” piece. By the end of the day you will be equip with the skills and knowledge to continue developing this style of painting at home.

This workshop is a fun, right-brain stimulating exploration of the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh and is open to all levels of artist from professional to complete beginner. You will look at some reproductions of van Gogh’s works and Sarah will demonstrate some of his techniques before you either create your own version of his painting or use his style to paint an image of your own. You may like to bring a reference photo to work from if you would prefer to create an original painting.

This two-day workshop is lead by  award-winning artist Jenny Aitken, who is know for her sparkling seas and coastal light. It is suitable for beginners and regular painters who would learn how to construct a painting in order to best tell the visual story – how to begin and methodically work through to a successful conclusion. Look at the reflective nature of waves, still water and foam, and how to achieve the illusion of moving water and light through paint. 

This workshop is designed to take you on a journey of discovery, showing you the versatile techniques of working in mixed media, and helping you create landscapes that sing with vibrant colour as well as exciting and expressive mark-making.

This will be a fun, right-brain stimulating exploration of the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh and is open to all levels of artist from professional to complete beginner. You will look at some reproductions of van Gogh’s works and Sarah will demonstrate some of his techniques before you either create your own version of your choice of his paintings or use his style to paint an image of your own.

Popular tutor Judi Trevorrow will teach you the art of painting flowers in acrylic. During the workshop you will explore how versatile acrylic paint can be by creating soft backgrounds and brush formed flowers.

The day will provide structured demonstrations and friendly guidance in a relaxed environment and Judi aims to help you develop your understanding of acrylic paint.