Calendar of Courses
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4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SKIES, LAND AND SEA-SCAPE IN SOFT PASTELS
Extend your artistic skills with pastel for seascapes, dramatic skies and landscapes. Demos throughout, support for beginners, encouragement for more experienced with demanding, yet supportive critiques to enable all to reach full potential. Eileen Gardner (Fife www.highamhall.com/eileen-gardner) Residential: £346 Non-residential: £244
ANIMAL PORTRAITS IN COLOURED PENCIL (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
For beginners and improvers. We will practise the different ways of applying pencil, layering and blending to create fur, texture and highlights. Bring your own photographs and source material, together with your own coloured pencils, everything else will be provided. Bring a larger than A3 folder, for your completed work. Paul Holmes (Staffordshire www.highamhall.com/paul-holmes) Residential:
FULLY BOOKED: EXPRESSIVE PASTELS: SOFT AND HARD
*NEW* For experienced artists to explore combinations of soft and hard pastels (with fixative) on different surfaces. Weather permitting, Higham's grounds will provide direct inspiration from nature alongside studio-based direction. Some of the taught techniques on this workshop are not for complete art beginners but pastel newbies are welcome. Specialist paper available from Tutor. Robert
FULLY BOOKED: WINTER BIRDS
Imagine spectacular gatherings of Barnacle and Pink-footed geese against a backdrop of a winter sunset and the massed pipings of thousands of waders as they swirl in the sky. Our Solway and Cumbrian coast is wintering ground for many species prior to their northward migration, hosting an exciting array of raptors. Hone your identification skills!
3 events,
WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY
White-on-white embroidery. Sample different types and techniques of Whitework or work on your own piece. Angie Burt (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/angie-burt) Residential: £346 Non-residential: £244 WEEKEND course follows
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: UPHOLSTERY
Hands-on! Bring chair, stool, ottoman, headboard... build up from scratch or just re-cover, tackle interior paddings with traditional or modern techniques. Please contact Cathy prior to your course to discuss your project needs 07770 714103. NEW TUTOR: Cathy Newbery (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/cathy-newbery) Simon Ireland has now retired and we welcome Cathy to the Higham team! Residential:
FULLY BOOKED: DISCOVERING PEN AND INK
Create textures, tonal areas and decorative patterns in pen and ink, then combine them to create a finished drawing. With demos throughout and access to a variety of pens to experiment with, by the end you should be able to handle your materials with confidence. Jane Beech (Cheshire www.highamhall.com/jane-beech) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180
FULLY BOOKED: WHITEWORK EMBROIDERY (WEEKEND)
White-on-white embriodery. Sample different types and techniques of whitework or work on your piece. Angie Burt (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/angie-burt) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180 Follows a 3 NIGHT course
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: STRING CHAMBER MUSIC WORKSHOP
Higham is the ideal country house venue for chamber music. The course is for preformed string chamber groups (may include piano). Self chosen repertoire. Louise Latham (Gr. Manchester www.highamhall.com/louise-latham) Residential: £260 Non-residential: £190 An alternative to 5 Feb.
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: FIGURATIVE SCULPTURE: NEW WAYS WITH NON-FIRE CLAYS
Explore the exciting potential of paper clay and papier mache to create a contemporary, seated, figure inspired by your imagination. No experience needed - more important is a willingness to let the medium take you on a journey of discovery to make a sculpture that has personal significance to you. As your piece will not
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: SIR EDWIN LUTYENS: ARCHITECT IN CONTEXT
From country houses to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, from churches to the Viceroy's House in New Delhi, Lutyens dominated architecture in Britain in the early 20th century. Explore his varied achievements. Dr Andrew Lacey (Cambridgeshire www.highamhall.com/andrew-lacey) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180 This course was postponed from May 2022 and is identical to last September's.
FULLY BOOKED: CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING FOR THE TERRIFIED (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
*NEW* Come and explore the relaxing free flowing brush strokes of this ancient artform. You will be surprised at how quickly a good painting can be formed. Traditional and modern topics covered. Lots of support for absolute beginners and interesting projects for the more experienced. NEW TUTOR: Peta Allingham (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/peta-allingham) Residential: £385 Non-residential: £275
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: BOOKBINDING: INTERMEDIATE
In this follow up to beginners, we focus on a significant 19th century development which countered rough-handed use and became very popular with public and private libraries. One of the most satisfying bindings, Library-style Buckram uses many account bookbinding features, giving maximum head-to-tail support, combining endpapers, spine linings and boards allowing it to stand alone,
4 events,
SHAKESPEARE’S CONTEMPORARIES: WEBSTER’S THE DUCHESS OF MALFI
Join us to explore John Webster's gruesome Jacobean tragedy, famous for its brilliant poetry, unexpected twists and feisty heroine, who defies her tyrannical aristocratic brothers to marry secretly for love. Passion, intrigue, murder and madness, among the Italian nobilty. Come and enjoy! Clare Smout (Shropshire www.highamhall.com/clare-smout) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180
EXTRA COURSE: SIR EDWIN LUTYENS – ARCHITECT IN CONTEXT
From country houses to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, from churches to the Viceroy’s House in New Delhi, Lutyens dominated architecture in Britain in the early 20th century. Explore his varied achievements. Dr Andrew Lacey (Cambridgeshire www.highamhall.com/andrew-lacey) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: ACRYLIC SEASCAPE AND ALSO TREES
Use whatever Acrylics, brushes, implements you are able to bring. Step-by-step guidance towards producing two scenes, of both coast and trees, employing a range of techniques to achieve realism and coherent tonal qualities. Kara Strachan (Staffordshire www.highamhall.com/kara-strachan) Residential: £361 Non-residential: £259 (Canvases Provided)
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: PATCHWORK QUILTING: CURVED PIECING
Why use hundreds of pins on your curved seams when just one will do? Learn how to make beautiful curved seams, to make your own curved piecing templates and design your own blocks. Design and make a curved landscape using different techniques. All levels of ability. Alternatively, bring your own project. Lis Binns (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/lis-binns)
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD
The classical philosophy of the Islamic world is largely an attempt to reconcile the Hellenistic philosophy of Aristotle and Plotinus with the doctrines of the Qur'an. We will trace the evolution of Islamic thought beginning with it's founders, al Kindi and al Farabi, before exploring Ibn Sina and the Mind/Body problem, Ibn Rushd's argument that
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: IN FULL COLOUR! LEARNING FROM COLOURISTS AND EXPRESSIONISTS
A colourful course working mainly from Still life and images aimed at those seeking to progress in their art journey. Paint inspired by some masters of colour from Impressionists to Expressionists: Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Kandinsky and more. Ideal for those exploring acrylic or oil. Ceri Allen (Carlisle www.highamhall.com/ceri-allen) Residential: £346 Non-residential: £244
PIANO KEYBOARD IMPROVISATION MADE SIMPLE
*NEW* Bring keys and cans (keyboard and headphones, darling) to develop your improvisational skills based on well-known pop songs. Play tunes you know and like in the way you want to play them. Convert a melody into different styles. Don't let dots get in the way. If this doesn't get you tickling the ivories with
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: BIRD SONGS AND CALLS
An alternative to LAKELAND BIRDS, with more emphasis on the aural characteristics of our feathered friends out in the field. Keith Offord (Shropshire www.highamhall.com/keith-offord) Residential: £461 Non-residential: £325 (incl. field trips with a fair amount of walking)
FULLY BOOKED: PIANO WORKSHOP
For up to ten players* of Grade 7 and above. Prepare a 20-minute programme to be played and discussed; if possible, bring along spare copies of pieces for others. Suggestions for improvement, style, technique and presentation will be offered. Non-competitive with a joint recital on the last morning. *Non-performing Listeners also welcome. John Gough (Chester
FULLY BOOKED: WATER, REFLECTION AND MOOD
Demonstrations in Watercolour and Acrylic paint with some exploration of Collage effects. Sketching if possible, but mostly experimenting from existing sketches, Developing water portrayal in paintings, with an emphasis on mood and drama. Frances Winder (S Cumbria www.highamhall.com/frances-winder) Residential: £346 Non-residential: £244 Sorry folks, this one is full already. Frances will be retiring from Higham
3 events,
DRAW LIKE A CARTOONIST
Break free and get to grips with using simple lines to depict figures, faces and simple scenes. Fun for absolute non-artists and useful for artists alike. What's more, your approach to life could change forever! Colin Shelbourn (S Cumbria www.highamhall.com/colin-shelbourn) Residential: £255 Non-residential: £185
FULLY BOOKED: EXTRA: ABSTRACTING FROM THE LANDSCAPE (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 March 2023 Challenge your perception of landscape; be abstract, yet meaningful, by focusing on individual sections of a larger image. Develop confidence in pattern, colour, composition and mood. All levels. Alex Jakob-Whitworth (Eden Valley www.highamhall.com/alex-jakob-whitworth) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £200 (incl. materials)
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WATERLOO SOCIETY WEEKEND
The Battle of Waterloo and the twenty years of conflict that preceded it hold a fascination to this day. The wars took place on land and sea and covered every continent in the world apart from Arctic and Antarctica. During this weekend we will be looking at a range of subjects including: British prisoners of
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: TRY FOR A DAY: BOTANICAL PAINTING FOR THE TERRIFIED
FULLY BOOKED: TRY FOR A DAY: BOTANICAL PAINTING FOR THE TERRIFIED
You will spend the morning building confidence by practicing watercolour techniques painting petals, leaves and berries. The afternoon is spent painting flowers and plants from the beautiful gardens here at Higham. Informal, fun and relaxed. Everyone welcome, even if you think you won't be any good! All materials supplied and you get to keep your
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: CAPTURE SCOTTISH SCAPES: EXPLORE EXPRESSIVE MIXED MEDIA
Work with (don't fight against) the fast-drying nature of acrylics and use mixed-media to create vibrant, atmospheric paintings (from excellent reference images provided by your Tutor), layer by layer. For all levels to loosen up with a willingness to get paint on hands, possibly clothes! Marion Boddy-Evans (Aberdeenshire www.highamhall.com/marion-boddy-evans) Residential: £505 Non-residential: £335
HIGHAM CHOIR: FULLY-FLEDGED
Bach, Byrd and Bits and Bobs! We will be exploring two Bach motets including Komm, Jesu, Komm. We will also look at Byrd's Mass for Four Voices as well as other selections of fabulous Baroque music. Please check your voice-type and sight-singing ability with Deborah before booking (deborah_catterall@yahoo.com 07964 310 617). Deborah Catterall (N Wales
3 events,
EXTRA: RUSKIN LACE
A Lake District speciality since 1884, using Needlepoint Lace techniques for drawn thread and cut linen work with geometric designs. Suitable for both beginner and experienced. If required, a starter pack (£12) is purchasable from the Tutor. Karen Quickfall (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/karen-quickfall) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180 Precedes another course
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: YOGA AND WALKING: SPRING
A perfect mix - sessions of hatha yoga (postures, breathing exercises, relaxation) coupled with guided walks of 3-5 miles, (requiring a reasonable level of fitness), among the peaceful northern fells - which will leave you feeling supple, relaxed and refreshed! Suitable for beginners and experienced. Gill Hunter with Alan Hunter (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/gill-hunter) Residential: £480 Non-residential:
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: RUSKIN LACE
A Lake District speciality since 1884, using Needlepoint Lace techniques for drawn thread and cut linen work with geometric designs. Suitable for both beginner and experienced. If required, Starter pack £12 purchasable from Tutor. Karen Quickfall (Lancashire www.highamhall.com/karen-quickfall) Residential: £250 Non-residential: £180
4 events,
MAKE THE MOST OF WATERCOLOURS (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
Be guided as to how to make use of watercolours to achieve the essential elements for successful paintings. Get used to colour-mixing, composition and different ways of achieving effects in a simple way, with time to experiment and develop various techniques. Just bring yourself! Jane Beech (Cheshire www.highamhall.com/jane-beech) Residential: £285 Non-residential: £205 (incl. materials)
LINO-CUT PRINT MAKING
Create professional-looking cards and pictures from several lino cuts. Our new heated work surfaces soften the traditional lino, making it much easier to cut. All tools and materials provided. Clare's lino cut illustrations appear in books, magazines and decorative packaging . Clare Melinsky (Dumfriesshire www.highamhall.com/clare-melinsky) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255 (Materials c£15)