If you require further information on any of the courses we shall be very pleased to hear from you so please send an email or give us a call.

Ronald Clark

LIFE DRAWING & PAINTING

SAT 22 – SUN 23 MAY
MON 9 – THU 12 AUG

These courses are suitable for both improvers who already have some experience of working from the nude model, and for beginners wishing to learn the basics of observational drawing. Working in a medium of their own choice, each student will be encouraged to develop a life study from a single pose during the main sessions, but these will be interspersed with specific exercises of a shorter duration. The course allows students to work from different models which can be additionally beneficial. The tutor believes that each student can profit by being gently stretched beyond their normal level of achievement in whatever medium they choose. Most poses will also be suitable for those more interested in portraiture. The tutor will have examples of Life Studies in most mediums and, where appropriate, will offer short demonstrations.

For the past eightteen years Ron has been teaching life drawing and portraiture in and around London and Essex, and at residential art centres. He also takes a weekly class in art appreciation. Ron is a regular visiting demonstrator at art societies throughout Essex and Hertfordshire and in addition to articles published in The Artist magazine Ron had his book Life Drawing: Perception and Practice published in 1995.

Jenny Brooks

BACK TO BASICS:

DRAWING & PAINTING FOR IMPROVERS & BEGINNERS

MON 31 MAY – THU 3 JUN
MON 6 SEP – THU 9 SEP

Painting and drawing with Jenny Brooks in the beautiful Wye Valley; a sound foundation is given on the basic skills required to begin and develop drawing and painting. The use of line, tone, texture, colour, watercolour techniques, composition and proportion will be covered. More experienced painters are very welcome as well as beginners. The course gives confidence to beginners and the more advanced have the opportunity to experiment further with paint and surface.

BOTANICAL AND MINIATURE PAINTING

SAT 3 JUL – SUN 4 JULY
MON 6 SEP – THU 9 SEP

Come and explore the fascinating world of botanical and miniature painting and drawing. Jenny's academic approach to her teaching enables her students to develop an understanding of the creative skills required when drawing or painting from observation. Beginners and Improvers will all enjoy and benefit from Jenny's individual tuition in line, tone, form and watercolour techniques. Her own portrait miniatures and botanical studies in pencil and watercolour on paper, ivorine and vellum have won many awards.

As the groups are small and each student has individual tuition, beginners and improvers in both of the above are welcome on all courses. So if for example your interest is Botanical Painting and you would like to come on the May/June course you will be very welcome.

David Cuthbert

YOU THOUGHT YOU COULDN’T DRAW

SAT 8 - SUN 9 MAY

How often have you thought it would be lovely to have a go at drawing but thought you weren’t good enough? Well, this weekend is an opportunity to find that hidden talent with help from a very experienced tutor. The emphasis will be on looking, learning to observe and experimenting with drawing materials

ADVENTURES IN MIXED MEDIA

MON 7 – THU 10 JUN

Join the many artists who, over the centuries have combined techniques and materials in their work – in the 16th century Holbein combined watercolour, ink and metal paint, in the 19th century Turner combined watercolour with soot from the chimney for his blacks. During the course we will mix paint with collage, wax with watercolour, gouache with pastel and experiment with other exciting and unexpected combinations.

PAINTING THE ROMANTIC LANDSCAPE

MON 27 – THU 30 SEP

The Wye Valley Art Centre at Llandogo is the perfect setting for learning more about the romantic landscape tradition and enjoying a week’s painting. In a mixed programme of talks, demonstrations and practical work we shall be looking at the practice and ideas of artists Alexander Cozens (1717-1786), Samuel Palmer (1805-1881) & Graham Sutherland (1903-1980) and how the notion of ‘romantic’ changed in three centuries. Each of the three artists will be used as examples of different ideas about the romantic landscape – differences of technique as well as vision. Cozens will provide a wonderful introduction to an imaginative, materials based approach; Samuel Palmer’s early work at Shoreham will be the basis of a more developed fusion of imagination and observation; and finally Sutherland will inspire us to a more modern approach to the landscape tradition, which was forged not far away in Pembrokeshire

Mary Gorwyn

SKETCHES TO FINISHED PAINTINGS

MON 17 – THU 20 MAY

Mary says, ‘I have been continually amazed at the progress made and the fun had by all on these courses which are designed to encourage people of all levels (and especially beginners). You explore your own potential (almost always more than you ever dreamed) to master methods of discovering and expressing what you want to achieve in the medium you want to use’.

A BRUSH WITH LANDSCAPE

MON 5 – THU 8 JULY

Set amongst the wooded hillsides of the Wye Valley we have the most beautiful and inspirational subjects right on our doorstep; delightful villages and spectacular river landscapes. If it’s raining we can work from our studio in the gallery. Beginners and experienced artists welcome and please bring your preferred media. We shall explore proportion and perspective, creating reflections, trees and shadows, making the most of your brushes.

Ann Hulme

DRAWING AND PAINTING

FRI 5 FEB – FRI 26 MARCH PLUS 16 AND 23 APRIL: FRIDAY MORNING CLASSES
FRI 30 APRIL ONE DAY WORKSHOP
FRI 11 JUNE ONE DAY WORKSHOP
SAT 31 JULY – SUN 1 AUG
MON 2 – THU 5 AUG

Art is inspiring; to be able to render form, to give shape to ideas, to bring into existence the illusion of reality through painting and drawing seems like magic. Some part of it is magic, but the rest can be taught. The basic approach to it all, to seeing, is applying relative measurement, learning perspective, foreshortening and handling space, and this is what we will be applying on these courses. Working with colour follows from basic drawing. Painting on these courses can be in watercolour, acrylics or oil paint .Remember it is all to enjoy. There are stages as in everything and you can make good progress in a short space of time if you apply the basic formal elements.

Jan Gardiner

JEWELLERY IN LACE MON 25 – THU 28 OCT Have you ever wondered if there was something more to lacemaking than edgings, bookmarks and tablecloths? Well, there is!

Over this workshop you will produce beautiful jewellery to take home. Join Jan Gardiner while she leads you in an exploration of gorgeous embroidery threads, or stunning enameled wire to make bracelets, earrings or necklaces. There is no need to be able to make lace before joining the workshop as all the skills required will be taught in the course. Jan will bring with her a selection of her popular jewellery designs to suit all levels of skill. These can form the basis of your item of jewellery, or you could design your own.

Jan expects everyone on this course will have great fun while creating stunning contemporary jewellery. All the required equipment and materials can be borrowed for the duration of the workshop, if necessary.

Aza Adlam

CHINA RESTORATION

MON 19 – THU 22 APRIL

STAINED GLASS WORKSHOP

MON 12 – THU 15 JULY

These courses are suitable for beginners and improvers. Aza will provide the essential tools and there will be a charge for materials on both courses.

For the stained glass course the tutor will bring a diverse supply of glass and lead which enables students to choose colours to suit their designs at the time.

With the china restoration students may bring along objects to be restored and repaired.

A list of what you should bring with you will be sent out at the time of booking and if you would like to have further information beforehand please let us know.

PICTURE FRAMING

SAT 30 OCT ONE DAY WORKSHOP
SUN 31 OCT ONE DAY WORKSHOP

Learn everything you need to know in a day.

• How to handle and cut glass
• How to measure correctly for framing
• How to cut bevelled mounts
• How to choose colours/proportions
• What type of mountboards to use
• How to attach pictures into mounts
• How to cut frames
• How to assemble frames
• Best tools to use
• Advice on where to purchase materials

All tools and materials are provided. You will complete one framed and mounted picture on the day! The only thing you need to bring is a selection of small prints/photos/paintings from which to choose a suitable one for framing. These must be no more than 8”x10” as it is not possible to accommodate larger pictures on this one day course.

Whilst you will be shown all of the above on Day 1, by doing 2 days it will reinforce what you have already learnt, as you will be able to practice everything and therefore feel more confident.

Dan Lobb

LIFE SCULPTURE

SAT 1 – MON 3 MAY
SAT 17 – SUN 18 JULY
SAT 11 – SUN 12 SEP

Creating a figure in clay is one of the most absorbing and satisfying of processes. Just the feel of the clay touches a deep chord in many of us. Students who attend life classes say that learning how to sculpt improves their drawing skills tremendously. You learn to look at the figure with new eyes.

Dan takes a straightforward intuitive approach hoping to catch the humanity of the subject. Complete beginners and those with some experience are welcome on the course.

Val Welham

SCULPTURE WORKSHOP

MON 19 – THU 22 JULY

This is a four day workshop in which you can explore the medium of sculpture working in clay or wire and if weather permits outside for plasterwork. Working from various sources; photographs, objects, nature, you will be encouraged to experiment with abstract forms as well as literal interpretations. Students may have a specific sculpture in mind that they would like to produce will be assisted by the tutor in any techniques that might be needed.

This workshop gives students the opportunity to develop their work further. We proceed at our own pace and share progress in a sociable atmosphere of friendly criticism with the group.

Some of our best work is achieved working alongside others so please come and join us.

This is an inspiring course to encourage your creative skills and is suitable for all levels including complete beginners. No previous experience is necessary. The emphasis will be on creativity and enjoyment.

Roy Davies

PICTURE FRAMING

SAT 25 – SUN 26 SEP

This course is Picture framing, designed for beginners, but having something to offer those with some experience. Using traditional methods, and hobby tools, you can produce professional-looking framing at a fraction of the cost of commercially framed pictures. The course will cover the techniques required in a step-by-step, hands on approach. Everything from mount and moulding selection, through making the frame and assembling the final picture, at a pace geared to the individual.

Students should bring at least one picture to frame, about A4 (8” x 11”). Although some equipment will be available, participants should bring any they have. A limited range of mount boards and mouldings will be available at cost. The weekend will be relaxed and informal and you will go home with some beautifully mounted and framed work.