This course explores the wonderful and versatile craft of glass engraving with a drill. It’s an opportunity for beginners to learn the basic techniques and for those who have attended a previous introductory course to expand their skills. Over the two days we will discover three different techniques, including surface engraving, creating a 3D effect with intaglio (low relief) engraving and engraving with coloured glass. You will work on both flat glass and vessels and you will come away with at least one little masterpiece of your own making! No previous experience or artistic expertise necessary to join in, but some manual dexterity is needed for this technique.
During this course you will be exploring the intricate detail within botanical subjects whilst experiencing and comparing different techniques used for dissecting and enlarging features. We will be using some of these to illustrate elements of the plants and flowers in graphite pencil and watercolour within a study page format.
To support our learning and recording of features, we will be using microscopes and further elements of technology such as tablet computers and macro lenses for smartphones (the latter items are not essential materials to buy for the course).
The course will suit those artists who have had an introduction to botanical art and those with more experience. It will also suit botanical artists who like to take a more traditional approach and those who would like to explore a more contemporary portrayal of their subject.
On this 1-day course you will make Plant Climbers, Plant Supports, Trellises and decorative Garden Hurdles, all out of willow grown in Somerset and here in Gloucestershire.
Helen will guide you through each stage of the process, whilst introducing you to the different varieties of willow which you can use to make your creations unique.
By the end of the day you should have been able to make 3-4 items to take home to put in the garden.
Scraperboard is a method of creating a tonal picture by scratching through a layer of black Indian ink to reveal a white chalk layer beneath. In some ways it is similar to drawing, except the white is scratched from the black.
We will explore the techniques that can be used to make marks and scratch out detail.
We will also cover different types of scraperboard and scratchboard, including how to make your own and the different ways board can be coloured after scratching.
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.
