Courses & Workshops for 2024
My Courses and Workshops
I host themed 1-day, 2-day and 3-day, courses in my beautiful studio in Hampshire. My teaching experience includes The Eden Project, in Cornwall; RHS Rosemoor in Devon, art groups and societies around the UK including: The South West Society of Botanical Artists( SWSBA) , The Bath Society of Botanical Artists, The Gloucester Botanical Illustration Society, The Wales Society of Botanical Painters, Field Breaks residential workshops in Derbyshire, the SBA residential course in Wales, The Mall Galleries London for the SBA, and The Broadway Arts Festival .
My beautiful, purpose built studio is situated in my garden, adjacent to beautiful countryside in the Test Valley, and is an ideal location to get absorbed in botanical art.
I am passionate about sharing my love of botanical painting - I love teaching beginners as well as those with experience, and I have been teaching since 2008. A tried and tested approach allows beginners to realise they can achieve their goal, and they can then go on to perfect their individual style with time and practice. More advanced techniques are shared with the more experienced artist. Artists may work on paper or vellum on all my workshops.
The Studio is beautifully lit, equipped with daylight lamps and drawing boards, and includes an extensive library of reference books.
My classes are small and friendly ( a maximum of 8 places), allowing plenty of time for individual guidance and tuition. All students are encouraged to develop and work in their own style, and at their own pace.
Private, one-to-one, tuition is also available at £100 per day - please contact me to arrange dates. I can offer practical advise to those working on submissions to the RHS, Art Society submissions, Diplomas, or even a Florilegium Society.
Accommodation: I no longer do B&B for my workshops, but I am very happy to recommend Yew Cottage in the village of Longparish, just a 10-15 minute walk from the studio (or a two minute drive). Talk to Rosie or Martin and mention you are on one of my workshops and you may be surprised with a little discount !! Website: Yewcottagelongparish.com
Two or Three Day Workshops
……… for 2024
After a successful new approach for 2022, my workshops for 2023/24 will be combining the old-style tutored workshops with that of 2022. I will continue to paint alongside everyone but will be working on the same theme as everyone else. I will be available to give one-to-one guidance, demonstrations of advanced techniques, and help whenever it is needed, to take our work to the next level.
In 2024 we will be working on themed projects together
It is a ‘sharing’ environment where we can all have input.
The day will start by settling everyone in, discussing the topics and techniques to get us started. You will then work on your own for the morning, calling on me whenever you need help or guidance. After lunch, I will come round to everyone and make sure you are happy to proceed for the afternoon. Again, I will always be available to help you when you need it. Before we finish for the day, we may have a group discussion where we can share any tips, difficulties, or thoughts from the day.
*These are designed to be friendly workshops for like-minded people who would like to join me while I paint in my beautiful studio.
*All abilities are welcome, but some knowledge is essential.
*You may come for two or three days….. your choice!
*Each day will start at 10.00am and finish at 4.00pm. Doors open from 9.45am.
Themed Workshops for 2024
1. Butterflies, bees and bugs 16th - 18th February 2024
Enjoy studying insects from my collection. Beautiful jewelled beetles, delicate butterflies, and precious bees - all to inspire a detailed study or a lovely composition. Why not try one on vellum !
Something colourful in Winter !
2. “ If you can paint one leaf …..”
“……….you can paint the world” 12th - 14th April 2024
…………………… The very famous hyperbole by Ruskin. ……………………
We will take our time looking at leaf venation, drawing and creating form, before embarking on painting just “….. one leaf ”, or perhaps more.
3. Tricky Textures 7th - 9th June 2024
A lovely workshop, exploring different techniques to paint ‘tricky textures’ such as velvet, hairy, glossy, iridescence, bloom, and many more… on a range of subjects available at this time of year.
**** FULLY BOOKED *******
4. Pale and White flowers 5th - 7th July 2024
Have you wondered how you can paint lovely delicate pale subjects such as roses, and create interest and drama?
We will look at mixing pale colours, and those all important ‘botanical’ greys. We will look at tonal values - without applying an outline !
**** 4 Places left
5. Nature’s Spirals 6th - 8th September 2024
An exciting workshop looking at how plants use space economically, and arrange their floral parts into spirals. After exploring a little of the theory, and looking at other artists’ work, we will look at design and composition to enhance our chosen subjects. We can also look at spirals in some exquisite shells … and those odd ‘twists’ north and south of the equator!
**** 2 Places left
6. The Dark Side of the palette 11th - 13th October 2024
We will explore painting ‘black’ and ‘brown’ subjects, looking at the colours we need to make them vibrant and interesting.
Is there such a thing as a true black flower? A wonderful opportunity to study colours.
**** 4 Places left
7. The ‘Jewelled ‘Fruit 6th - 8th December 2024
The exquisite pomegranate - plentiful at this time of year, renowned for its jewel like qualities, and steeped in history and myths. We will look at how we can achieve the jewel-like quality of the seeds in contrast to the strong texture of the outer skin.
Another subject so worthy of being depicted on vellum !
**** 3 Places left
**Workshops run for 3 days, but you may come for two or three days …..……….. let me know at the time of booking.
Prices and Full Booking Terms
*Cost: £175 for 3 days or £120 for 2 days
A non-refundable deposit of £120 is required for each workshop at the time of booking to secure a place.
Prices include endless teas & coffees, and biscuits, plus good company with like minded people, to keep you going.
*Please bring your own packed lunches.
Equipment lists and directions are sent on receipt of deposits.
Booking Terms - applicable to all workshops and private tuition.
If you have to cancel a workshops with less than 2 week’s notice, you will be charged the full price, unless a replacement is found.
It is strongly advised you take out insurance to cover your bookings/cancellations, as refunds are not possible unless replacements are found. **This also includes cancellations due to Covid. I can no longer give refunds if you have Covid.
All deposits are non - refundable.
The balance of a workshop is due 2 weeks prior to the date of the workshop.
Gift vouchers may be purchased, but are not valid until a receipt has also been issued confirming payment of the gift voucher.
Please note - a deposit is required AT THE TIME OF BOOKING to confirm a place. NO places are guaranteed until payment of a deposit , or payment in full.
In the event I have to cancel a workshop for any reason, all monies will be refunded.