In-person course
in Canterbury Maker & location details

(5)

Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Making charcoal

woodland scene in charcoal

woodland teaching area

Camp fire and kettle

artist guidance

work in progress

drawing in charcoal

woodland understorey in charcoal

view of the canopy from the ground

woodland scene in charcoal

charcoal drawings

woodland shelter

charcoal drawing

woodland scene in charcoal

meadow scene in charcoal

Description

A one day workshop in Walderchain Wood with woodcraft expert Mark Saich and artist tutor Kim Plowright. Make your own drawing charcoal, experiment with materials then explore the woodland environment through drawing. Indicative schedule for the day: Introduction Charcoal making. Tour of the wood. Playing with Charcoal - exploring mark making and textures. Making small test pieces to respond to your material and location, and developing experiments in to bigger drawings. Space, light and shadow - getting depth and space in your Woodland drawings. Layering, erasing, masking and rubbing back to build up a drawing. From a single plant, to a whole tree - capturing the environment, change and growth at different scales. Finding your way into a drawing when there’s too much to look at. About the venue: When the weather permits the classes will be held in a semi-covered woodland clearing, at other times in a well equipped workshop, situated in 23 acres of ancient woodland in the Elham valley area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). There are toilet and wash facilities onsite. The woodland is managed to continuously supply timber as a material and fuel, to enhance biodiversity and natural stability and for amenity value. The site is a 10-15min walk from the nearest bus stops (Mill lane/Derringstone Hill or the Old Chalk Pit Barham) or 15-20min walk from the Jackdaw in Denton.

What's included in the price?

All materials Lunch and refreshments Self made drawing charcoal to take home

Duration

6 hours

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Walderchain Wood

with Craft Courses since 2017

Message the tutor

Suitable for

Adults
Seniors
Teenagers
Wheelchair users
Hearing impaired
Suitable for beginners
Intermediate level
Parking provided

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Venue

Woodland Farm, Walderchain, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6NS

Reviews

All maker's reviews

5 Sep 23'

Gillian Ely reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A cathartic, restorative and informative day. Prior to the course Mark’s email with clear instructions set a friendly, professional and minimal hassle tone which was great. A cheery greeting from Mark, Christina, Kim and the woofers before meeting other attendees, having a cuppa and listening to essential, clear safety instructions by the charcoal burning place and undercover area set up for drawing began the course. Simple pleasure of camaraderie whilst whittling bark off what was to become artists’ charcoal and benefitting from Mark’s explanation of the process, techniques and troubleshooting advice for making charcoal at home after the class was very relaxing. Kim demonstrated the mark making potential of a batch they’d got going earlier so, without any rushing, there was a harmonious flow to the morning completely in tune with the verdant quiet of the woodland. Our prepared sticks were put on to cook -Mark keeping us informed about the signs of progress - as Kim started us off with some warm up drawing exercises. These were brilliant, surprisingly meditative, informative and insightful as we drew with our eyes shut responding to the sounds, smells and sensations of the environment. Definitely an exercise to repeat in my own time as it unlocked the drawing muscles literally and as a considered beginning to looking/ sketching/ looking/ thinking/ drawing/ looking which brought out aspects of practice I hadn’t been aware of when in my studio. Fascinating and enriching to see the work, hear the thoughts of course mates - important when so much of the artistic process is solo. Glad of the forethought of Mark and Kim having a sheltered space for us as the rain threw down a challenge! The majority of the day was outside in the magic of the trees, what a privilege to enjoy that space - would happily pay to be able to draw there with Kim’s input and the outstanding hospitality of Mark and Christina. Christina deserves a category of her own in this review - she’s a talented maker in her own right (basketry) but oh my she is an alchemist in her kitchen! Lunch was divine. Dining together at the long table in the company of happy, inquisitive artists, surrounded by beautiful vegetarian food had most of us wondering how we’d focus on the afternoon- not a problem (nothing was) as Kim and Mark had us back out in the woods, seeing, drawing, really looking through new eyes. This was my first foray into a social group outside my house for any reason since a brain injury 4 years ago, I can’t put into words what this meant to be included, accepted, involved and to feel ABLE as well as unconditionally welcome. An enormous thanks to my course mates for being unfazed by my brain freezing later in the afternoon and heartfelt gratitude to Mark, Christina and Kim for their knowledge, willingness to share, encouragement and making what read as a good course description on paper into a superb experience. Looking forward to seeing what courses this trio of fine people come up with next. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Wow, what a review! Thank you. Was a pleasure to meet you and am bowled over by how you felt about your day with us. Until the next time All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim "

23 Aug 23'

Deb Jackson reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Wonderful day out in the woods, the charcoal we made seems to have such a very special quality. Great to have all the tips, gained from Mark's personal experience on charcoal making at home & avoiding any pitfalls. Then Kim's insights on using the stuff, & approaches to drawing trees. Fortified by Cristina's lovely homemade soup & cake. All in such a wonderful setting. Thank you all. Deb"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Deb, thank you for leaving a review of the recent class. Glad to hear you enjoyed the session here. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

22 Aug 23'

Annie Michie reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Thank you so much, Mark, Kim and Christina, for a wonderful day in the woods. I arrived, somewhat stressed from a certain situation and felt happily embraced by the tranquility of this very special location and by the warmth of the course leaders and fellow participants. Whittling wood together round the charcoal burner, trying drawing techniques which were either new to me, or out of my regular comfort zone, leading me to come away feeling that existing skills had been extended or reinforced. Friendly chats, fascinating stories told by fellow artists, all lead by the thoroughly knowledgeable and experienced course teachers- Kim and Mark. Nourished with a hearty lunch by Christina. What more to add, so glad to have met you all, hope we stay in touch. Great day, thank you so much!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Annie, wow such praise! Thank you. Glad you got so much from the class. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

18 Aug 23'

Cally reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A wonderful day! Beautiful woods. Wonderful Kim. Gorgeous soup and cake. Thank you Mark, Kim and Cristina. X"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Cally, thank you for joining us, glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you back here. All the best Mark"

27 Jul 23'

Buffy Tucker reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Peaceful day in the woods...primarily to understand how charcoal is made for drawing. I love drawing with charcoal, it's so versatile for expressing light, dark, subtlety...you can rub it back and rework and also emphasise line and tones as you wish. I had no idea I could make enough for my own use at my own home, and good enough quality. It's quite a mindful experience, as we also become attuned to the life of the birds and creatures around us. Mark is so informative about raptors in the sky above us, and the life beneath our feet too. The process of charcoal making is explained....the need to exclude oxygen, the timing, etc. The excellent tutoring by Kim allows all to experiment with mark-making if you need further familiarity with this medium. And invaluably, she helped us find a way into producing a drawing....what do you exclude, what direction do you take, what do you work into? Cristina's wonderful veggie food was most welcome and absolutely was perfect for what we needed...and it's a social experience, forged between likeminded people. Totally worth it. If you haven't sat in the woods lately under an amazing parachute canopy and gone home smelling of delicious woodsmoke, do it. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Buffy Thank you for your lovely review. Glad you enjoyed the day and got so much from in it. All the best Mark"

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Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Description

What's included in the price?

Duration

Cancellation policy

Maker

Walderchain Wood

Suitable for

Venue

Price:

Duration:

Time:

Next available date:

Reviews

Gillian Ely reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Walderchain Wood responded:

Deb Jackson reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Walderchain Wood responded:

Annie Michie reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Walderchain Wood responded:

Cally reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Walderchain Wood responded:

Buffy Tucker reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

Walderchain Wood responded:

Have you done this course?

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