FULLY BOOKED: THE WORLD OF SAMUEL PEPYS AND JOHN EVELYN

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

The diaries of Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) and John Evelyn (1620-1706) provide a unique window onto the social life and turbulent history of 17th century England. We will spend some time in their company, encountering kings and princes, artists and scientists, prostitutes and mistresses, coffee houses and theatres, wars and revolutions. Dr. Andrew Lacey (Cambridgeshire www.highamhall.com/andrew-lacey) 

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FULLY BOOKED: BIRD SONGS AND CALLS

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

The vocalisations of birds are invaluable aids to help us in their identification but the process of learning them all may seem daunting and never-ending. Fortunately, most species have a repertoire which is unique, enabling confident identification, even in the absence of a view. Such calls and songs can also draw our attention to the 

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FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SKIES, LAND AND SEASCAPE IN SOFT PASTELS

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Extend your artistic skills using pastels to create expressive seascapes, landscapes and dramatic skies. With demonstrations throughout, gentle guidance for beginners, encouragement for the more experienced and constructive one-to-one critique to support you to confidently handle this subtle yet versatile medium. Eileen Gardner (Fife www.highamhall.com/eileen-gardner) Residential: £390 Non-residential: £270

LINO CUT PRINTMAKING

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Produce your own lino cut designs to create individual and decorative printed cards and pictures using traditional lino cut printmaking techniques with expert guidance from Clare Melinsky. Clare is a professional illustrator whose sought-after designs can be seen on product packaging and book covers, magazines, cards and even postage stamps. All tools and materials needed 

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LANDSCAPES AND GARDENS IN LITERATURE

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Gardens and landscapes have always been important to writers. This weekend course offers the opportunity to enjoy and discuss the writings of Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and other novelists and poets, in their settings of landscape and landscape gardens, with illustrations. Prof. Bill Jones (Leicestershire highamhall.com/bill-jones) Residential: £290 Non-residential: £210

MAKE THE MOST OF WATERCOLOURS (MATERIALS PROVIDED)

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Watercolour is a beguiling medium, fast-drying, responsive and versatile. Its transparency lends colour a luminosity that is unmatched by other media. Learn how to use watercolour with confidence over a weekend that will cover all the basics, from how to mix colours to painting flat, graded and variegated washes and what to do if something 

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WOVEN TAPESTRY: TREES

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

This course will focus on observing form and texture in the trees at Higham. We will look at how trees have been portrayed in tapestry and explore various weaverly possibilities. The last in a series of 3 separate courses led by international award-winning tapestry artist Louise. See also TAPESTRY DAY (10 April) and WOVEN TAPESTRY: LANDSCAPE 

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WOVEN TAPESTRY: LANDSCAPE TO WEAVE

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Capture the essence of Higham's gardens and the surrounding landscape first in yarn and then directly into weave. The second in a series of 3 separate courses led by international award-winning tapestry artist Louise. See also TAPESTRY DAY (10 April) and WOVEN TAPESTRY: TREES, (12 to 14 April). Louise Martin (Orkney www.highamhall.com/louise-martin) Residential: £295 Non-residential: £215

WOVEN TAPESTRY DAY (MATERIALS PROVIDED)

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

This one-day course serves either as an introduction for those new to tapestry or as a refresher covering the fundamentals of tapestry weaving. Looms will be ready for you to start weaving an image of a tree. The first in a series of 3 courses led by international award-winning tapestry artist Louise during her spring 

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WOODCARVING: CREATIVE RELIEF CARVING

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Relief carving is the process of cutting a pattern or design into a flat surface. For those new to the craft, Sharon will gently guide you through the process of transforming a block of wood into a unique image in relief with generous one-to-one support, technical instruction and extensive knowledge of her subject. Bring your own visual 

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