Painting skills and techniques courses, craft kits and handcrafted gifts

Tube Lining involves using piping paste to create an outline on a pre-drawn pattern, then filling in the pattern using a choice of colours. We'll be tube lining an oval platter that will be pre-drawn with your choice of sunflowers or clamatis. Then we'll paint inside the lining using your choice of colours. Our instructor will help as we go along and teach you how to blend your colours to give a stunning finish. We'll then glaze and fire your platters ready for collection a few days later. or we...

Huddersfield-based artist Puy Soden is offering an exciting workshop which will enable you to experience one of the oldest and richest methods in the history of painting: ‘buon’ fresco. A famous example of this method is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. After a lot of careful testing, Puy has developed the 'buon' fresco method to work on small tiles so you can enjoy this ancient process in an accessible, manageable way, and make durable, unique artworks for your home and...

Art Material Package 1. Set of three water colour brushes (quantity 2). 2. Water colour paper gummed block (quantity 9). 3. Water colour paint set introductory (quantity 1). 4. Water colour paint set add on (quantity 1). 5. Putty rubber (quantity 1). 6. Pink masking fluid (quantity 1). 7. Water colour paint rich sepia (quantity 1). 8. Water colour paint Dorset Blue (quantity 1). 9. Water colour paint quinacridone gold (quantity 1) 10. Water colour paint phthalo green (quantity 1)

Interested in traditional rural skills? This hands-on course is for people who want to learn decorative lime techniques. You’ll gain practical experience of working with design, pigments and wet lime. Designs and all equipment will be provided. Traditional rural skills like stone carving, dry stone walling, hedgelaying, coppicing, charcoaling, blacksmithing, horse-logging, spinning & weaving, lime mortar techniques and green woodworking are a precious part of the history of our landscape. Changes in land management practices over the past century have sadly resulted in many of these fascinating and practical skills...

A 3 day Icon Painting Retreat with residential options. An icon is a devotional painting of a sacred figure such as Christ, a saint, or other spiritual beings. In the context of this retreat, it could also be a tree, plant, or other natural symbols that speak to you. The combination of contemplation, intention, and painting with authentic materials will be a soothing and nourishing experience. The aim is to relax and inspire body and soul. Please bring a rough sketch of what you want to paint, bearing in mind...

Take inspiration from fruit, birds and the beautiful Hawkwood surroundings during a weekend of creative experimentation. Explore different ways to loosen up your illustrations, and how to move away from the pressures that can stifle creativity. Discover real techniques for overcoming the fear of the blank page and experiment with a whole range of materials and unusual tools. This weekend workshop will be full of practical ideas to enrich your drawings, taking inspiration from nature to create images that are full of energy, character and life. In this Illustrating Nature...

A 1 day Printing Course. Join Clare for a day of printing exploration using hand-carved Indian wooden blocks. Using a selection of hand carved blocks you will print onto a variety of surfaces and will create your own design on a tea towel or bag. A relaxing and enjoyable craft steeped in history, you will also have the chance to see photographs of the process of block printing in Jaipur and handle examples of printed fabrics. Clare begins by sharing images, fabrics and prints of India. She shares her knowledge...

Mindful Drawing is an exploration of drawing as meditation. We will experiment with different exercises involving the senses and mark-making. There will also be short periods of guided meditation. No prior meditation or drawing experience is needed. In this weekend workshop we will explore the drawing experience paying particular attention to the body and how we perceive ourselves and others through the senses, as well as noticing how we relate to the experience. We will not be learning how to draw but rather how to pay attention and let go...

Demonstrations and drawing exercises in Hawkwood’s beautiful gardens will inspire you to enjoy your sketchbook! You will learn how to sketch using a range of drawing materials and watercolour and receive guidance on the wide range of sketchbooks available. During this two day, non-residential course we will explore the beautiful Hawkwood grounds. We will begin with learning observational skills and drawing using a range of media. From pencils and rubbers to sticks and found pieces, we will develop our mark-making, enabling you to capture the character and essence of your...