Category: workshop

Lucy studied painting at Chelsea and then Norwich School of Art.  She paints and exhibits regularly, winning recognition and awards for her contemplative still-life paintings.   Alongside her studio practice Lucy teaches observational painting and drawing and works part time as an associate lecturer on the University of the Arts London, Foundation course in Exeter and runs a weekly observational drawing class.

Lucy will be running two workshops – this first practical workshop where you will explore what to consider when setting up a still-life, leading on to making a drawing from your arrangements of objects.  The second workshop in early 2027 will be working alla prima to create a colourful and light filled painting still-life study in oil.

Both workshops are ideal for beginners to intermediate – some prior experience of oil painting and own materials are necessary for the second workshop. You can do either workshop or both.

This first workshop will cover how to select and combine objects for a simple still-life arrangement, different ways of lighting your still-life to establish the relationship of light and shadow shapes, thumbnailing to identify strong composition choices.  In the afternoon you will make a tonal still-life drawing using charcoal, or pencil.  Support and guidance will be given throughout.

Following Melissa’s talk and demonstration the previous evening the workshop will build on this playful investigative spirit and be a chance for us to add to our toolkit so whatever style we then choose to paint in we have an increased vocabulary of mark-making, stronger grasp of composition and an adventurous spirit when mixing colours and using different tools. It will be a fun day of investigation and discovery with guided process in the morning and plenty of time for one to one tuition and feedback.

Oils or acrylics. Beginners welcome as well as more experienced.

Mandi Street has designed a half day workshop especially aimed at members who have less experience of picture composition and who would like to develop their confidence and skills in this essential topic. Mandi is a landscape painter and printmaker, and a former art teacher.

The workshop will:

• Look at the definition of composition and examples in 2D art from art history
• Explore the impact of composition on how images are interpreted
• Develop confidence in your compositional skills and try out different ideas

Bring the following materials:

• A couple of images that interest you – they can be still life, landscape, urban or coastal scenes
• A selection of your favourite colours in your favourite medium – crayons, pastels, acrylics, watercolour (not oils)
• Sketchbook or paper – A4 or similar size is fine.
• A pair of scissors
• A Pritt stick (or equivalent)

All other materials provided.

Have you ever admired and appreciated the strength and beauty of the work of the Expressionists? This ground-breaking group of painters, derisively named the Fauves, or Wild Beasts, were responsible for liberating artists’ palettes and creating wonderful, vivid images of thick, brilliant colour. The main exponents were Matisse, Derain and Vlaminck. Their subject is often landscape and cityscape. They also worked on images of colourful interiors, often incorporating beautiful pattern and shape.

Fauvism is characterized by its radical use of intense, non-naturalistic colours, bold brushwork, and simplified forms to express emotion rather than reality, earning the artists the nickname “wild beasts” (les fauves) from critics for their shockingly vibrant, expressive works that paved the way for modern abstraction.

Following on from Claire Western’s demonstration in October, the workshop will draw on the history of the Fauves and give you the opportunity to paint with dynamism and great energy. It will be all about personal expression and experimentation.

All materials will be provided.

Claire Western was brought up by the sea in Exmouth, Devon. All of her work begins and is inspired by her love of the sea, walking the coast path and sailing off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. She has combined painting and teaching throughout her adult life and has exhibited and sold her work widely in the southwest over many years.  She was Head of Art at Queen’s College in Taunton. Since leaving there, she has established a very popular and wide-ranging series of courses for adults, based in Wellington, where she now lives. These encompass painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media work.

A beginner friendly workshop will explore the gentle and meditative world of pointed pen calligraphy through the graceful rhythm of Uncial letterforms. Rooted in tradition but brought to life with a modern sensibility. Uncial offers a balance of structure and flow, making it an ideal script for both beginners and returning calligraphers.

Inspired by the soft, atmospheric qualities of watercolour, this workshop will guide you through the process of layering expressive calligraphy over a fluid hand-painted background. You will learn how to use a pointed pen and ink with confidence, how to shape each letterform with care, and how to lay out a thoughtful composition.

The workshop will begin warming up with basic strokes, then move on to forming the alphabet and experimenting with different variations. You’ll be encouraged to play with colour washes and explore how different tones and textures can complement the lettering.

Whether you’re completely new to calligraphy or simply curious about blending text with paint, this workshop offers a gentle, creative space to slow down, learn at your own pace and discover the beauty of words as visual art.

All materials will be provided and you’ll leave with a finished piece, along with the skills and inspiration to keep exploring at home.

This course is a series of 5 x 2-hour workshops with a follow up session with the aim of helping members become more confident in developing a loose style in handling the challenges of pure watercolour. We will work, mainly, with a big brush to facilitate the minimum of brush strokes to develop a vibrant and immediate impact.

The course is suitable for members who are new to watercolour as well as members who have struggled with this challenging (and sometimes infuriating medium).We will work in a limited palette to ensure harmony in our paintings, including some work in sepia, which will help develop an ability with tonal contrast, vital if the painting is to have impact.

A full list of materials will be provided on application and enrolment.  There are 10 spaces available and the cost is £30.00 per person.

Sketching and drawing is a way of engaging with a subject and honing one’s visual awareness. It is a way of understanding form, depth, perspective, proportion, texture, light and shade in visual terms. It is a way of gathering reference and testing compositions for potential paintings.  Paul will demonstrate his way of working, using pencil, pen or charcoal, then progressing to line and wash.

The workshop will give the opportunity to put these ideas into action, and if the weather is good enough there will be the chance to get outside and sketch from life then return to the studio to develop the work.

A full list of materials will be provided.

FULLY BOOKED

In this rebooked one-day workshop Douglas will introduce you to the joys of the concertina book format, and encourage you to play and experiment with mark making, using textures to build a richly layered composition within a painting.

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