Leaded Glass Taster Day

Hi Derek,
I would just like to thank you on behalf of my son, Jason Wilford, and his daughter Shannon (my granddaughter) for your leaded glass taster day on the 23rd April.
They had a really fabulous day and they couldn't praise you enough for the course, content and your knowledge and enthusiasm for your craft and for the projects you are also working on.
They also said there was a lovely, friendly atmosphere in your workshop too and it was nice to meet the others also on the course. (Shannon was also impressed when you played some Pink Floyd).
Your taster course has now sparked an interest in leaded glasswork for them and it was great that they could both share this experience as a 'dad n daughter' birthday learning together day.
So thank you once again for this.
Many best wishes for the future,
Dianne Wilford

I attended one of Derek Hunt's Leaded Glass Taster Days at his lovely studio in Medbourne. It was a wonderful experience and I was thrilled at the standard of panel I was able to go home with, especially as I have no background or skills in art. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and Derek gave clear, calm instructions and gave as much help as was required by each person. I came with no experience and learnt a variety of skills without ever feeling pressured or rushed. Derek was very warm and welcoming and it was so interesting to be taught by someone with such extensive knowledge. I would highly recommend this course, not just for what you produce, but for the tonic of concentrating for a day on producing something of beauty.

Thank you so much for the leaded glass taster day today. I am still amazed I came home with a completed glass leaded window. Thank you for your patience, teaching and making me feel like I could do this. It was a great day and your calm approach helped. I love stained glass windows and will have a memory of today forever. Thank you also to you and your wife for your hospitality.

Derek is the consummate teacher; skilled, patient and kind. It was nice to learn a new skill in a restful environment at my own pace, as part of a small group. Have booked another session for my wife. Highly recommended

" I first saw Derek's lovely work on Instagram, and then on YouTube. From cutting glass, to making your own light table, plus interviews with other glass artists, he demonstrates the endless possibilities of working with light and colour.
Derek's studio and garden in Leicestershire was the perfect place to experiment with paint and to meet other students, all of us invested in one way or another with holding the light back and but also in letting it through."

I thoroughly enjoyed my glass painting day, there was a good mix of delegates and everyone’s skill set was addressed perfectly. The right amount of people attending meant we all had an opportunity to receive personal tuition if required. The pace was relaxed and I felt a lot of technical information was relayed throughout the day, all of which meant I came away with a great knowledge base, digital course notes have underpinned this. Great value for money in a wonderful creative environment. Special thanks to Derek’s wife for the hospitality we received.

Derek walked us, step by step, through the processes involved in glass painting from the tools and materials to the personal tips he has discovered from his many years of experience . His relaxed clear and concise approach was perfect to illustrate the best practises while painting onto glass . We were encouraged to experiment with the newly learned painting techniques and ask as many questions as needed .The amount of information Derek could give in one day was amazing .The warm welcome we received from Derek and his wife and the refreshments throughout the day added to a relaxed and really enjoyable day . It was really helpful that Derek offered any further advice needed even after the course! A superb stained glass course .

From the moment we arrived both Derek and his wife made us feel comfortable and welcome.
This one day course was ably supervised and brilliantly explained throughout with some supplementary notes e-mailed about the techniques after course completion. Derek’s studio and work is amazing and a testament to what can be achieved if you have both the patience and skill. We would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn more about the art of stained glass painting!

Well, what a fantastic day I had learning how to make a Leaded Glass window. Derek made us all feel very welcome, and provided all the equipment we needed to produce an A4 sized window. We learnt how to draw the design, cut the glass, add the lead strips and put it all together using a soldering iron. I was very impressed how Derek explained everything in a clear way, allowing us do everything for ourselves, helping when we asked or he could see we were struggling.
I would recommend anyone to have a go. It was a complicated task made easy by the expert patient and calming tuition, having each stage broken down into simple sections. I now have the skills and confidence to design and make a window at home for an internal door I have.
Carole (64yrs old and learning a new skill)

Thank you for a really enjoyable, informative and relaxing day. I learned so much that I will be able to put into practice. I’ve already bought my rigger brushes!

"Fantastic workshop, extremely knowledgeable tutor who is more than willing to share his skills with his students. Very engrossing time and made to feel v. welcome; so pleased with my finished piece of work. Thank you."

Just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I learnt things I didn’t know even existed, met incredibly interesting fellow stained glass enthusiasts, but most importantly the whole day was so relaxed and inviting. (Your music taste matches mine spot on!!). It was wonderful to have such interesting chats in your beautiful home during the firing breaks.

I am already an established stained glass artist that’s wanting to learn more about the art of painting on glass. Derek is a wonderful teacher and very patient l didn’t find it easy to paint with a brush but l went away with the basics and will practice because as we all know practice makes perfect. Thank you, Derek.

The leaded glass taster day was extremely enjoyable and informative. Derek is a very good teacher and gave very clear advice, enabling us all to make very rewarding pieces over the course of the day. Definitely a worthwhile experience.

I write to say thank you for such a very enjoyable day. It was a very good course and was very nice to meet you again, together with fellow students and like minded people appreciating the beauty of stained glass. Look forward to seeing you again, best wishes, John ''Cherished Glass''

I had a relaxing and enlightening time on the one day glass painting course. The course content was well designed , and the facilities and resources were excellent. I enjoyed spending time in Derek's beautiful and inspirational studio. He is a great teacher who is very generous with his expertise and knowledge. Derek has demystified glass painting for me and I am excited to try more at home. Kate Rieger.

The glass painting course I attended on Saturday was fantastic. Your tuition, split into two sections was easy to follow, everything was explained thoroughly and all questions answered throughout the day. It was an extremely enjoyable experience in your beautiful well equipped studio. I'm now very eager to use glass painting on my work. Thank you. Jane

Wonderful introduction to glass painting and would thoroughly recommend anyone giving it a try.
Derek was an excellent, immensely talented teacher and very patient - definitely finished the day feeling inspired. Hospitality was brilliant and the people on the course with me were really lovely which made for a very enjoyable day.

I very much enjoyed Derek's glass painting class. Derek is a fantastic teacher and he managed to cover everything I had hoped to be able to learn in a single day. Highly recommend it!

I attended Derek's one day glass painting taster day and it was a very educational and inspirational day learning from a master in the trade. Lovely to work in his studios and the setting was beautiful. Made to feel very welcome.

What an amazing weekend. Thank you, Derek. You are an incredible artist and your passion for what you do is inspiring. I learnt so much this weekend and with your teaching and guidance, have made my own piece of stained glass. Great studio, great company and great hospitality. :-)

Had a fabulous weekend course, wonderful setting, great company, Derek is a fabulous teacher, very patient, clear and helpful. Would definitely do it again strongly recommend.

I would highly recommend it, a brilliant two days.

What a great way to spend a Saturday! Derek has a wonderfully patient way of teaching the tools and techniques of painting on glass, skills he has in abundance judging by the beautiful examples displayed around the studio. All very inspirational to a complete novice! I’m really looking forward to being able to return later in the year.

Derek's glass painting course was a fantastic experience for the senses, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. Derek’s studio is full of inspiration and he shares his vast knowledge on the ancient techniques of glass painting with enthusiasm and patience. Thank you so much for a hugely fun and informative day :)

It was an amazing experience to attend this course. We received a warm welcome and were soon put at ease in the calm relaxed atmosphere. There were 3 of us on the course ranging from complete beginner to some experience. Derek has a vast wealth of knowledge in this field and a great way of imparting information through demonstration and encouraging us to experiment with techniques. We all completed 2 painting projects which were fired in the kiln during the day, which were able to take home at the end of the course. I would strongly recommend the course whether a complete beginner or more experienced painter. We all came away with new knowledge in this fascinating medium. Thank you Derek.

Having been interested in this craft for a while it was an absolute pleasure to take part in this weekend course. Derek and his family were very welcoming and made us all feel special whilst putting any fears to rest. The course was well structured with excellent tuition alongside time to develop our own skills in this ancient craft. Derek has a wealth of experience in this field and his professional approach along with his passion for this art was infectious. The workshop, resources and equipment are superb and the results were very pleasing. On a personal level I now feel I have the knowledge and confidence to tackle new projects and would thoroughly recommend this course for those who have an interest in lead windows.

Really enjoyed this course. Derek’s studio is a beautiful environment to learn glass painting in, there are lots of things to learn and discover and I would highly recommend this taster day to others.

Great way to learn how to make stained glass windows in a beautiful studio setting. Very enjoyable and I would recommend this taster course to everyone thinking of learning this beautiful craft skill.

Derek is an excellent tutor. He is knowledgeable and passionate about the Art of stained glass. I felt encourage and supported in developing my ideas.

Derek is an excellent tutor. The course was very thorough , covering all the essentials to make my own leaded window. I felt supported and confident with Dereks guidance, to realise my ideas.

We had a most enjoyable day with Derek on the glass painting taster day. The course was in his well equipped studio. It was well organised and he patiently took us through the basic steps of traditional painting. He ensured we both ended up with a picture to be proud of. Now I just want a kiln to be able to carry on with this absorbing craft !!