An illustrated talk by Simon and Carol Trapnell
Renowned for its ancient wonders, rich history, and vibrant culture, Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, evokes awe and has long held a universal fascination for people. Their great monuments, tombs, temples, and artwork all celebrate life (and often nature) and stand as reminders of what once was and what human beings are capable of achieving. Join us on an inspiring journey that also interweaves some of the places that inspired prints included in the Ancient Yesterdays II exhibition. An evening for all!
Course details:
Do you want to develop your skills with your sewing machine and learn how to ‘draw’ with the simple straight stitch? Then this is your course! You will start by stitching a design which Richard, your tutor, has prepared for you. He will demonstrate every stage step-by-step.This will give you the confidence and the understanding necessary to empower you to start and develop your own design on the second day. However, there is no rush and no pressure !!! Some experience with using the ‘darning foot’, which allows you to stitch freely in any direction is important. Try practising, even a little, beforehand, so that you are confident with it and excited about its amazing possibilities
Materials and additional costs:
- A sewing machine, with which you are very familiar and well practised with using the Free-Motion Foot / Darning Foot, which facilitates free machine stitching.
- Sewing machine needles – sizes ranging from 75 to 90 or even 100.
- A variety of machine sewing and /or machine embroidery threads ( cotton, polyester, rayon, viscose etc, ) in the following colours for the first project : several greens, one white, one pale blue, one pale pink, one pale yellow, one metallic silver and one metallic gold. After that, bring everything ! *
- Some coloured pencils.
- An embroidery hoop at least 9 inches in diameter or slightly larger.
- A quarter of a metre of thin white cotton / polyester sheeting
- Some printed images for the subject you choose to do after Richard has taken you through his prepared design
Suitability:
Beginners – advanced but must have confidence in using sewing machine and darning foot
Spaces:
12
Price: £124 / £158
Please call 01452 733942
May Half Term Activities
We have loads of outdoor nature-themed activities keeping us busy through half term.
Morning session: 10am – 11:30am
Afternoon Session 1pm – 2:30pm
Here is what we have going on each day:
Tuesday 26th May – Yoga and Rock Painting.
Wednesday 27th May – Salt Dough and Seed Decorations.
Thursday 28th May – Sun Prints.
Friday 29th May – Nature Journals
Tickets cost £8 per child. This includes one child entry to activity and one child and one adult entry to gallery. Tickets are all available for booking here: https://natureinart.org.uk/activitydays/
Come and join in for some yoga fun and games with our Education Officer! Either in the Education Centre or in our lovely garden, we will be doing some exercises, games, balancing, mindfulness and so much more.
Age: 3 – 12
Yoga mats are provided! Adults encouraged to join in with their little ones.
Make sure you are wearing comfortable, breathable clothing to move around in freely.
Either book online, call in or just ask at the shop if there are spaces available.
Course details:
Having used acrylics for over 35 years as a wildlife artist and illustrator, Kim Thompson has learnt many useful techniques to achieve the detailed results seen in her work which she will share on this two day course.
Working from start to finish, using acrylics on board, participants will paint a Kingfisher perched on Bull rushes. The process is broken down into easy to follow steps, learning about composing a scene from photo reference and sketches, the fast drying time of the paint, building layers and adding the details and textures found in nature.
This workshop will appeal to those who are looking to establish a good understanding of using acrylics or who might have already tried them and want to learn more about this versatile paint. Kim is a considerate and encouraging tutor and will bring a relaxed approach to the two days.
Materials and additional costs:
- £20 cash to be paid to tutor for a range of acrylic paints, pencils, painting surfaces and brushes and all other items which will be used in the workshop.
Suitability:
Improvers
Spaces:
12
Price: £124 / £158
Balancing commercial illustration vs personal painting. Come and hear Darrell Warner talk about the differing mindset of an artist practising in two very different fields. As an international award-winning illustrator in the film industry, the pressure to deliver within a time frame calls for some extraordinary commitments for both self and family whilst donning the creative painting hat presents other more profound questions of personal quest and fulfilment. Both approaches in turn feed an artistic want whilst informing one another. An evening for everyone!
Doors open 7pm to view Darrell’s exhibition. Finger buffet 7:30pm, followed by talk. Finish 9.15pm
£13 + booking fee – click here to book
If you are a student, call us on 01452 731422 and we’ll book you in at 50% off.
Course details:
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.
Suitability:
Intermediate
Price: £124 / £158
Spaces: 12
Course details:
“I would like each student to produce a painting that suggests a garden escape, a place to escape the pressures of modern life. It can be a painting of a single flower, an herbaceous border, a path, trees, views, in a garden or out into the wider landscape.”
Materials and additional costs:
- Canvas or board
- Brushes in small, medium and large
- Paints – oil, acrylic, pencils, inks NOT watercolours
- A photo to work from
Suitability:
Beginners – advanced
Spaces:
12
Price: £124 / £158
Course details:
Participants will be needle felting a version of a peeping Barn owl . I will teach how to use felting needles, mix wool colours with some silk and this popular British bird of prey that you can hang on your wall. All materials will be provided, but if you have done needle felting and you have your own favourite felting needles, mats, scissors or other tools, please bring them along. You will be learning techniques taught by an experienced award winning artist Agnese Davies (A.D.Woolcraft).
Materials and additional costs:
- £10 material charge to be paid to tutor, cash
Suitability:
Absolute beginners
Spaces:
12
Price: £62 / £79
Course details:
Discover how to embed beautiful dried botanicals grown in the grounds of Nature in Art on this full day workshop with tutor Emma from Nature’s Inspiration.
Create coasters working with flowers, foliage and vegan non-toxic epoxy resin learning how to use this incredibly complex medium in the morning. Break for lunch and whilst your coasters are curing this afternoon we will switch to a UV cured vegan non toxic resin which is premixed and cured using LED lamps. Working with more intricate flowers to create your very own botanical jewellery, or accessory up to 3 (choose from earrings, ring, pendant, cufflinks, broach, bookmark, keyring or hairgrips). Demould your coasters and learn how to finish your jewellery before the end of the workshop.
Materials and additional costs:
All materials will be provided. £20 in materials will need to be paid on the day with an additional £5 if you’d like to make an extra set.
Suitability:
Beginners to improvers
Spaces:
12
Price:
£62 / £79
Please call for details. Thank you.