FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Capacity: 10
Course Description:
Painting can be very therapeutic, but the enjoyment can quickly disappear if you find yourself frustrated with what you produce. This class is about reintroducing you to the fun of painting, loosening your painting style and teaching you how to take the pressure off the end result. It will teach you how to be inspired to create relaxing abstract paintings but also how to feel relaxed when creating them.
Through guided exercises you will learn different painting techniques, as well as practical tips to free up your painting style. We will explore different materials, surfaces and subjects, painting to music and other ways to help you unwind and take pleasure in painting. There will be laughing as well as moments of calm and reflecting. A fun filled day learning something new and giving you the chance to relax. Suitable for all abilities, even those who have not picked up a paintbrush before.
Materials List:
The tutor will provide the required materials for course participants. The cost per person will be £10, to be paid (in cash) to Christina directly on the day of the course. Please wear old clothes / apron.
Artist’s Profile:
Christina is an abstract artist based in Gloucester. Inspired by the natural world she works with inks and paints to create layers of translucent colours resulting in soothing and relaxing art.
Christina has had lots of experience in the arts and running workshops and at one stage was even the Education Officer here at Nature in Art.
She has exhibited work on the London underground, Saatchi Art and is represented by Wychwold Art Gallery. She had a pop up shop in John Lewis and produced artwork for Gloucestershire Hospital to improve their mental health in Crisis room.
Course Costs:
Members: £48
Non-members: £59
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
Booking a place:
Places will be offered on a first come first basis.
To secure your place on this course a £20 non-refundable deposit is required. If you would like to book a place, please CLICK HERE.
Here at Nature in Art we are extremely passionate about supporting local artists and craftspeople, helping to highlight the array of crafts available and the creativity of the people in the local area. Each month we host a two-day Mini Craft Market in the Education Centre, where five to ten crafters sell their unique handmade crafts.
Including but not limited to – nature crafts – paper crafts – woodwork – paintings-crochet/knitting – weaving – decoupage – cards – glass – silk painting – textile bags
- 10am – 4pm
- Education Centre
- Free to enter
The paintings of Nicholas Jones immerse the viewer in the vast space and luminous light of the Arctic. Capturing a world made up of the simplest of ingredients – ice, water, rock, and light, this exhibition offers a point of connection with the fragile beauty of this astonishing region of our planet, on whose well-being we all depend.
Nick is the 2022 winner of the Royal Geographical Societies Cherry Kearton medal. In 2018 he was the Scott Polar Research Institutes Arctic Artist in Residence, out of which these paintings were made. This exhibition will consist of around 40 of Nick’s Arctic paintings completed between 2018 and 2022. The paintings range in size from small works on paper to two-meter large canvases.
Nick’s paintings have always dealt with one main subject: the landscape. From the countryside around his Somerset home, to the Arctic landscape of Lapland, Greenland and Baffin Island, he seeks to evoke the world of nature, of hills, mountains, water, skies, trees, and above all, light.
When in 2018, Nicholas Jones was appointed as Arctic Artist in Residence with the Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute, he made a remarkable voyage along the coasts of Greenland and Baffin Island. The paintings in this exhibition are his response to the sublime light and landscapes he experienced in the Arctic, and visions of its beauty, power and simplicity. These paintings open our eyes to the beauty of nature, inviting us to a meditative contemplation of its wonders, and reminding us of the vital importance of preserving our shared home. It was for these works that the Royal Geographical Society awarded the Cherry Kearton medal, citing Nick’s “ability to ‘capture the uncapturable’: the ever-changing play of light on landscape.”
https://www.nicholasjones.info/
There is ONE space left on this course, please email Alice to book.
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
On this watercolour painting (or coloured pencils) workshop, Cath will take participants on an incredible journey into the secret world of ladybirds – To discover how their brightly–coloured bodies are design perfection; how they fit into ecosystems and how we all benefit from their essential presence in our lives.
As with Cath’s other courses, each student will have access to their own high-powered microscopes, as well as her large selection of ethically-sourced insect specimens and macro photos, to study and paint/sketch the hidden beauty of these much-loved bugs.
Participants will be guided by Cath’s tutorage to produce a detailed and unique painting, paying homage to the smaller things in life.
Materials List:
- Watercolours. any good quality water colours will do but Cath recommends Schmincke. Suggested colours: Titanium White; Payne’s Grey; Helio cerulean; Red Hue; Cad. Yellow; Permanent Rose; Madder Lake; Orange; Yellow Ochre;
- Brushes: – All the small ones. Brushes with short round bristles. Synthetic bristles are best: Sizes such as- 00, 000, 0000, 15/0 , 1, 2. Rosemary SER 307 and 301 are both good.
- Pencils: – 5mm HB propelling pencil for sketching in the details and shading on the leaf. 0.3mm Propelling Pentel pencil (HB) for leaf and ladybird outline. B 6/7/8 Graphite pencils for sketching in shadows. (If you can’t find propelling pencils, normal HB pencils and a sharpener will do!)
- Pens: – a range of fine line pens (back and white). Suggestions: 0.5mm “Black” fine line, water and fade proof (Mitsubishi) for a crisp outline, 0.1 “Sepia” Graphik Line Marker, lightfast pigment ink for outline and writing on the label, Uni POSCA Pen – “White” 0.7mm Mitsubishi (For the shine on the legs)
- Paper – Good quality watercolour paper. Suggestions: 100% cotton Saunders Waterford or equivalent paper. 14” x 10” 140lb. Hot pressed.
- Desk Top Easel, Palette, Jar for washing brushes
Artist’s Profile:
Cath Hodsman AMRSB, is one of the U.K’s foremost entomological artists, illustrators and teachers. Based in the Cotswolds, she has exhibited; showcased her art; or taught at many relevant esteemed venues throughout her career, including the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, R.H.S Wisley and the Natural History Museum, London. Cath believes that the best way to celebrate the importance and relevance of insects in a happy, healthy ecology, is to capture their micro beauty and anatomical intricacy. She uses microscopes in her work in order to capture beauty that is invisible to us.
Course Costs:
Members:£96
Non-members: £118
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Monotype / Monoprint is an intriguing hybrid among printmaking techniques. It is neither a print nor a painting but a unique combination of both. It can be achieved by using oil paint, water based paint or printers ink, through a press or by hand burnishing. The characteristic of both processes is that no two prints are the same. This 2 day workshop is designed to introduce Mono printing to the beginner whilst allowing those who are familiar with the process to refresh their knowledge and further explore this medium. The Course will consist of demonstrations, group work and one to one tuition. At the completion of the course participants will be able to use the methods that they have learnt, at home or in their own studio. Participants are invited to bring any sketchbooks or source material of their own, however this is not a requirement.
Materials List:
The tutor will provide the required materials. The cost per person will be £10.00 which will be paid by the participants on the day of the course.
Artist’s Profile:
Nik Pollard’s paintings and drawings are generated from sustained, direct observation and are often resolved in the field. A period of dedicated study at single or related locations is a necessary part of his process. Drawing from all the senses, he investigates the rhythms and characteristics of a location and its ecology, resulting in a sense of time and place. Working with a range of mediums, he focuses on the essential aspects of what it is that has drawn him to the subject. Searching for a balance between figuration and abstraction he enjoys exploring the ambiguity and serendipity of mark making. When working in the studio he often turns to printmaking in order to pursue an idea further, substituting the thrill of the first-hand direct response with the magic of printmaking and the exploration of materials and processes that cannot easily be replicated outdoors.
Course Costs:
Members: £96
Non-members: £118
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
This course has been cancelled due to Liz having an operation and will be postponed to Spring 2024. If you are interested in being contacted when a new date is arranged then please email Alice.
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
In this course Liz will teach a simple, modern interpretation of Sashiko stitching. Sashiko is a traditional Japanese decorative stitching technique, originally used to reinforce clothing. As an art form, it can be used to create a beautifully textured and melodic textile.
You will create a fabric panel of appliqued shapes with Sashiko stitching, which can be a stylised landscape or a repeat pattern of your choice. After the course, it’s up to you how you use the panel; it could be a centre-piece for a special ‘memory’ textile; applied to a cushion or a bag, or framed as a piece of artwork! These are great ideas for presents for others or a keepsake for you.
Materials List:
- Photographs of landscapes or patterns to take ideas from
- Cotton fabrics which you may like to incorporate into your Sashiko stitching to create a ‘memory’ piece.
The tutor will provide the rest of the required materials for course participants. The cost per person will be £5.00 which will be paid to Liz by the participants on the day of the course.
Artist’s Profile:
Liz is an exhibiting textile artist and teacher. She has more than 40 years experience of teaching children and adults in all types of educational and community settings. She delivers art workshops in her studio and further afield, including at national events. Liz is delighted to have been Artist in Residence several times at Nature in Art, including in October/ November this year. She has also lead large textile projects, with local and national participants, for a regional arts festival. Liz’s passion for natural landscape is expressed in her colourful and textural textile artwork.
https://www.lizrobertsontextiles.com/
Course Costs:
Members: £96
Non-members: £118
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
Here at Nature in Art we are extremely passionate about supporting local artists and craftspeople, helping to highlight the array of crafts available and the creativity of the people in the local area. Each month we host a two-day Mini Craft Market in the Education Centre, where five to ten crafters sell their unique handmade crafts.
Including but not limited to – nature crafts – paper crafts – woodwork – paintings-crochet/knitting – weaving – decoupage – cards – glass – silk painting – textile bags
- 10am – 4pm
- Education Centre
- Free to enter
FULLY BOOKED
In 2018, the painter Nicholas Jones made an extraordinary voyage along the coasts of Greenland and Baffin Island as ‘Artist in Residence’ with the Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute. In this talk, Nick will reflect on his time in the Arctic and the ways he set about capturing some of those experiences on canvas back in the studio.
He will talk about the ways his landscape paintings have evolved over four decades through abstraction to figuration and back again, the challenges of painting the Northern Lights and why he never tires of seeking to evoke and celebrate the transient beauty of the natural world.
In 2022, Nick was the recipient of the Royal Geographical Societies Cherry Kearton Medal, awarded for ‘his ability to capture the uncapturable; the ever-changing display of light on landscape.’
An evening for all. View Nick’s exhibition 7pm – 7:30pm.
Here at Nature in Art we are extremely passionate about supporting local artists and craftspeople, helping to highlight the array of crafts available and the creativity of the people in the local area. Each month we host a two-day Mini Craft Market in the Education Centre, where five to ten crafters sell their unique handmade crafts.
Including but not limited to – nature crafts – paper crafts – woodwork – paintings-crochet/knitting – weaving – decoupage – cards – glass – silk painting – textile bags
- 10am – 4pm
- Education Centre
- Free to enter
Bird Photographer of the Year is back after it’s popularity last year at Nature in Art.
Photographers from all over the world entered more than 20,000 images into this year’s competition, each with their eyes on the £5,000 grand prize. Photographer Jack Zhi, from the USA, was declared this year’s grand prize winner for his dramatic image taken in Southern California.
Photographers competed in 8 different categories in the adult competition: Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, Conservation (Single Image), and Comedy Bird Photo. There was also a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award.
Bird Photographer of the Year has conservation at its heart. This year, the competition donated £5,000 to partner charity Birds on the Brink, which provides vital funding to grass-roots bird conservation projects around the world. (www.birdsonthebrink.co.uk)
The 2024 competition is now open for entries at birdpoty.com, and invites photographers of all experience levels to submit their best bird photos.
Image 1: Jack Zhi / Bird Photographer of the Year
Image 2: Nicolas Reusens / Bird Photographer of the Year