What’s On

May
11
Sun
Rhododendron Flower with Karen Coulson
May 11 all-day

Rhododendron Flower with Karen Coulson

Book here

Course Suitability: Suitable for all

 

Maximum Participants: 12

 

Course Description:

Assorted Colour Pencils on Mount Board
Explore the techniques of colour blending and layering required to complete this Rhododendron flower using assorted colour pencils.
A line drawing is supplied.

 

Materials Required:

All materials supplied within session.

 

Places are on a first come first basis.

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, and £75 for non-members

May
12
Mon
Lapwing with Karen Coulson FULLY BOOKED
May 12 all-day

Lapwing with Karen Coulson

Book here

Course Suitability: Suitable for all

 

Maximum Participants: 12

 

Course Description:

Derwent Coloursoft Pencils on Mountboard
Explore the techniques of colour blending and layering with colour pencils to achieve the many colours of the feathers in this beautiful bird.
No need to worry about drawing freehand as a line drawing is supplied.

 

Materials Required:

All materials supplied within session.

 

Places are on a first come first served basis.

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, and £75 for non-members

May
19
Mon
National Open Garden Scheme at Nature in Art
May 19 all-day

Special MONDAY opening on 19th May

Come and see Nature in Art’s garden as part of the National Open Garden Scheme which raises millions of pounds each year for charity.

The whole museum will be open too, plus you’ll be able to

  • meet experts from Master Composters
  • meet Nature in Art’s beekeeper, Brian, who will show you their new observation hive (see what’s going on in the inside!) ,
  • browse our plant and garden book stalls (in aid of Nature in Art)
  • see special exhibitions by Rosalind Wise , the Royal Miniature Society and Stefania Distanti

£6.50 entry (all proceeds to NGS)

.
Coffee shop open for drinks and light snacks.

May
31
Sat
Linocut Printmaking Inspired by Botanical Forms with Jo Biggadike – FULLY BOOKED
May 31 all-day

Linocut Printmaking Inspired by Botanical Forms with Jo Biggadike

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Course Suitability: Suitable for all

 

Maximum Participants: 12

Course Description:

In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will learn how to create lino print designs using nature and botanical forms as your inspiration. Linocut is a fantastic way to explore printmaking without the need for expensive equipment.

 

During this workshop you will learn to create an effective linocut design, how to transfer your ideas onto the lino block, and safe techniques for using cutting tools. We will also explore simple printing methods that you can continue to use at home. By the end of the session, you will know how to print your linocut effectively and will take home a selection of prints along with your newly created linocut block, which can be reused in the future.

 

We will be using washable printing inks, but please be aware that they may still stain clothes. We recommend wearing old clothes or bringing an apron. All materials needed to create your linocut will be provided.

 

Please bring along any photos, sketches, dried or fresh plants that you would like to use as inspiration. Additional materials will also be available.

 

 

Materials Required:

All materials supplied within session at a cost of £10, to be paid on the day.

 

About the artist: 

Jo Biggadike is a full-time artist and printmaker based in Cheltenham. She studied Textile Design at Chelsea School of Art and worked as a designer in furnishing fabric prints. Seeking a more handcrafted and personal approach, she now specialises in hand inked, limited edition linocut prints, inspired by her walks in the surrounding countryside. In 2020, she completed a Master’s in Illustration from the University of Gloucestershire and now sells her work internationally and regularly exhibits across the Southwest, Wales, and Midlands.

 

Places are on a first come first basis.

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 for non-members

Jun
14
Sat
Otter in Graphite with Jamie Boots NOW FULLY BOOKED
Jun 14 – Jun 16 all-day

Otter in Graphite with Jamie Boots

NOW FULLY BOOKED

Book here

Course Suitability: Suitable for all

 

Maximum Participants: 12

 

Course Description:

Join artist Jamie Boots for a three-day exploration into the nuanced world of graphite pencil art. This workshop delves beyond basic sketching, offering insights into the subtle techniques that breathe life into your creations. Participants will discover the art of manipulating pencil sharpness, pressure and tones to convey the fine details such as skin textures and expressive eyes.

 

Materials Required:

All materials supplied within session.

 

Places are on a first come first basis.

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 for non-members.

Whale Song Story Time – FREE
Jun 14 – Jun 28 all-day

Join us on a Saturday morning in June for a free story time in our cosy corner, learning about the environment and how we can help.

Sessions are 10:30 and 11:30, and last 15-20 minutes

14th, 21st and 28th June

Suitable for all children, but aimed at little ones

Free, no need to book 

With thanks to The HERDS x Art Fund
Jun
28
Sat
Garden Views with Ros Wise – FULLY BOOKED
Jun 28 – Jun 29 all-day

Garden Views with Ros Wise

 

Course Suitability: Suitable for all

 

Maximum Participants: 12

 

Course Description:

During this course you will be taught how to paint a garden view. This can be based on a magazine type photo or ones own work. The view can be your garden or somewhere you have visited. You can include garden borders, bird tables, sheds, a quiet corner or just a few of your favourite plants.

www.rosalindwise.co.uk

 

 

Materials Required:

A canvas or board to paint on

Acrylic or oil paint

A selection of paintbrushes and some paper to sketch out ideas on.

 

About the artist: 

I have been painting the natural world for decades. I am most notably known for the Cycle of Flowers which usually hangs above the staircase in Nature in Art. I paint gardens and wild spaces.

 

Places are on a first come first served basis.

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 per day for non-members.

Jul
5
Sat
Monoprinting with Carole Bury – FULLY BOOKED
Jul 5 all-day

Monoprinting with Carole Bury

Book here

Course Description:

Come and experiment with the lovely medium of monoprinting, as Carole Bury guides you through the process at Nature in Art!

Famously, the painter Degas used mono-print, creating some wonderful examples of the process. He used mono-printing as a way to make base layers for his paintings, showing how versatile it is. There are several ways you can approach mono-printing and Carole will talk you through the options before you get creative in the studio. You might choose to paint directly onto the plate, or maybe you’ll make negative marks by inking up the block with printing ink and wiping areas away. You will use leaves and objects to create marks in the ink film… the list goes on! You’ll have a wonderful time getting hands-on and will create prints to be proud of.

At the end of this fun day experience, you’ll leave with a selection of prints that you have made during the workshop.

Materials Required:

All materials supplied within session for a charge of £5 to be paid on the day. Please also bring:

  • An apron
  • A folder or spare paper, suitable to carry wet prints away at the end of the day.
  • Notebook and pencil

About the artist:

Carole Bury is an experienced textile artist with a sound background in drawing and monoprinting. Using stitched blocks to print from, she employs multiple print layers, and will embellish with stitch and gilding.

Her enthusiasm and knowledge in the Studio is infectious, and will gently encourage, ensuring potentials are met. Carole lives in Gloucestershire and is a regular artist-in-residence at Nature in Art. In June 2025 she will take part in the popular Cheltenham Open Studios. Her textile practice researches landscape and our part in it, as pilgrim routes are explored. They are quiet, thoughtful pieces providing calm and space.

Jul
12
Sat
Picture It in Collage and Stitch with Richard Box
Jul 12 – Jul 13 all-day

Picture It in Collage and Stitch with Richard Box

Book here

Course Suitability: Suitable for all

 

Maximum Participants: 12

 

Course Description:

Do you want to create one of your own designs and translate it into a picture using Richard’s well known technique which combines fabric collage with both machine and hand embroidery? Then this is your course!

Under Richard’s careful guidance you will be supplied with a learning pack at the start of course and he will teach you how to progress through it step by step. Once you have experienced the process you will be able to start interpreting northbound designs in this way with the materials which you will need to bring with you.

 

Materials Required:

  • A selection of coloured photographs and magazine pictures which will act as your guide and inspiration. Choose uncomplicated images with clear distinctions of colours and tonal values.
  • A sheet of tracing paper.
  • Sellotape.
  • Two pairs of scissors: one for paper, the other for fabric.
  • A small jar or PVA.
  • A small brush for the adhesive.
  • One square metre  ( approximately ) of hessian in any colour.
  • Lots of scraps of all kinds of fabric sorted in reds, pinks, yellows, oranges, blues, purples, greens, brown, greys, whites, blacks and multicoloured.
  • An electric sewing machine with which you are familiar and possesses a darning foot, sometimes known as a free motion foot.
    • Please note that this foot is crucial. If you have not used one before, try to practise with it beforehand so that you will be comfortable doing free machine embroidery during the course itself .
  • 90 or 100 sized sewing machine needles.
  • Machine sewing and machine embroidery threads in the same colours as above.
  • Hand sewing yarns and threads in the same colours as above.
  • Some coloured pencils.
  • A large-eyed, sharp pointed needle ( e.g. a yarn darner ).

 

About the artist: 

Richard has been working as a painter and textile artist for over 60 years. He has written seven books about the subject and continues to encourage everyone to enjoy being creative in these disciplines.

 

Places are on a first come first basis.

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 for non-members.

Jul
18
Fri
Accurate botanical painting with Simon Williams
Jul 18 – Jul 19 all-day

Accurate botanical painting with Simon Williams

Book here 

This course will focus on botanical drawing and painting techniques in the option of working in watercolour or gouache. Both days will begin with a practical demonstrations covering drawing and painting techniques. Observational skills are a very important part of botanical art so students will be encouraged to work from life. Producing detailed studies of either plants, leaves, fruit or vegetable specimens. Course tutor Simon Williams will advise on a practical one-to-one basis. Guidance will be given on observations, colours suggestions and how to paint from the initial base coats to more controlled techniques. This will include rendering textures, contour definitions and colour transitions. Gouache is an opaque form of watercolour and is not an inferior medium to watercolour. For much of the time it is used for illustration, book design and publishing for its fantastic reproduction and vibrant colour. This course is open to all intermediate to advanced level and it is preferential to have some drawing/painting experience as botanical work requires a precise rather than loose style of painting. Please visit the tutor’s website to see samples of his work and CV.

Materials Required:

Materials list can be supplied on request, and will be emailed to all participants 4 weeks before the course.

 

To secure your place on this course a £25 non-refundable deposit is required.

All courses are £59 per day for members, and £75 for non-members