On this 2 day course participants will master the fast drying time of acrylic paint, tackle details and a variety of textures found in nature, including how to paint eyes, fur and feathers and leave with a better grasp of this very versatile medium. Everyone will be encouraged to enjoy experimenting with brushes and sponges and the techniques Kim uses in her own paintings.
This course will appeal to those who are looking to establish a good understanding of using acrylics to capture wildlife subjects and who have already tried acrylics and want to learn more. Kim is a considerate and encouraging tutor and will bring a relaxed approach to the two days.
Learn to render beautiful letters in light and shade on pristine white paper. We will begin by learning to draw letters suitable for cutting stencils and emboss these into paper. We will then modify those shapes to cut out of paper, score and curl them so that the letters take on a life of their own – standing proud of the background. Both create fabulous 3-D effects in a simple way – offering final results that have a special purity and particularly useful for personalized and unique gifts. Suitable for all levels.
Are you terrified of drawing but secretly long to learn how? Richard Box has an approach that will steady your nerves and build drawing ability and confidence. You will be amazed at what you will be able to draw by following his method. Because you are ‘terrified’ you will stay with a simple still life for the whole course. The main focus is in learning how to truly SEE what is often merely glanced. Once this is understood, you will be empowered to follow a number of procedures and techniques in both monochrome and colour. Thereafter, at home, you will be able to apply these to any subject you like.
A 2-day course concentrating on painting our familiar British woodland birds in their natural environment, using Acrylics Paints on Board.
Beginning with the preliminary sketches of the birds, from both memory and reference material, we will discuss capturing a sense of movement and progress through depicting associated surroundings such as leaves, grass, wood etc.
We will also be looking at creating depth in the work and the importance of the overall composition, whilst working towards completion of the final painting, and discussing framing ideas.
This 2-day course will cover basic bird anatomy, sketching methods and techniques, the use and handling of watercolour and composing a picture.
For the more ambitious, there will be the opportunity to have a go at sketching birds in flight, which is more of a challenge.
This course is aimed at a range of ability levels, with Trevor on hand to demonstrate particular techniques and to help you develop and improve your skills.
Tropical seedpods are the inspiration for this workshop. Ann will be demonstrating her techniques for using coloured pencil or pastel pencils applied with solvent as a base for detailed graphite drawing. The colour is applied first and then melted into the paper using an alcohol based solvent. Once dry the surface of the paper is unchanged and provides a good support for detailed drawing either with graphite or with coloured pencil. So the best of both worlds, some colour and lots of detailed and tonal graphite drawing. Throughout this workshop Ann will demonstrate all the techniques she uses in her work and will spend time individually with each student to help you perfect your technique.
The Course will focus on botanical painting, giving the learner the opportunity to work in either watercolour or gouache. The course will be taught by Simon Williams SBA.
Gouache and watercolour are both water soluble mediums and can produce stunning paintings. 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. Throughout the course you will be guided in colour mixing, botanical accuracy, brush techniques to render fine detail and the most important skills to gaining 3 dimensional forms to botanical studies.
This course is open to people that have some drawing/painting experience, improvers and advanced levels to a precise rather than loose style of painting. Please visit the tutor’s website to see samples for the style of painting.
This art workshop is all about experiencing the joy of reconnecting , discovering and freeing your creative spirit. Giving yourself permission and a chance to loosen up creatively, overcoming any expectations in a nurturing, fun and relaxing environment. Experimenting and creating from a space of non-judgment and support, focusing on joyful expression of your creative processes.
We will be experimenting with lots of different materials, and producing a great many artworks if you choose, without any rules!
Join me and take a leap into new territory you haven’t travelled before!
From the velvet softness of a mole, to the fluff of a squirrel’s tail. The straggle of ostrich feathers to the sleek, streamlined plumage of a penguin. Animals and birds show a vast array of fur and feather types. In this course we will begin by discovering how to depict various fur and feather textures, using a range of brushes and mark-making. We will then progress to paintings of animals and birds, choosing the most suitable techniques for each of their coat or plumage textures. A great opportunity to revel in the enjoyment of painting fur and feather textures and detail. Acrylics and acrylic inks are ideal for this course, but oils, watercolours or pastels would also be suitable.
Origami is the Japanese art of paper-folding, and this course is suitable for absolute beginners through to improvers. Tony will introduce students to, and explore with them, a range of basic and more involved origami techniques, styles and paper types and their application to the art. This is Tony’s second full day course at NIA, and this year it will focus on using origami in practical ways, such as making natural scenes, gift cards, jewelry, decorations and multi-piece or modular origami, all with a nature theme. Tony has a particular interest in “upcycling” paper products such as tourist leaflets, flyers, post cards etc, and these materials will be used whenever possible and appropriate during the day. Expect a hands-on and fun course and leave with a boxful of paper creations involving animals, birds, fish, flowers, abstract and geometric forms and more. See Tony’s website www.smiley-origami.me.uk for more information.
