Calendar of Courses
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2 events,
MANUSCRIPT ILLUMINATION: MORE CHALLENGING TECHNIQUES (EVERYTHING INCLUDED)
This course is only suitable for those with experience in laying manuscript gesso and using loose leaf gold. You will work on three small projects, one combining flat and raised gilding, one combining different colours or textures of gold (with the option to add tooling) and one using shell gold and watercolour paint. There will
FULLY BOOKED: ALAN BARNES JAZZ MASTER CLASS
Develop your jazz playing. How about 5 times British award-winning saxophonist Alan Barnes as Tutor? You need to be able to read music, understand chords and preferably have rehearsal band experience. (Limited spaces) Alan Barnes (Bedfordshire highamhall.com/alan-barnes) Residential: £520 Non-residential: £380
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: LOOSENING UP WITH WATERCOLOUR
Sometimes, artists want to move away from tight, realistic painting towards more relaxed, expressive ways of handling Watercolour. Escape rigid realism to become more playful with your painting. Dare to spatter, dribble, let pigment do the talking, embrace the happy accident and make your brush work more expressive and less fiddly. Share in the joyful,
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: BRIGHT COLOURS IN A DARK MONTH: EXPRESSIVE INKTENSE PAINTING (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, Robert’s short art break gives artists the ideal opportunity to explore Derwent’s Inktense blocks on Canson cotton rich watercolour paper (all provided), using a bold approach and an expressive use of colour with this versatile and unique contemporary painting media. (Sorry, not suitable for pure beginners to art as the creative
3 events,
DRAWING AND PAINTING BUILDINGS IN WATERCOLOR
If you can master buildings in your artwork, you open up a rich source of subject to draw upon. Start off with a valuable and simple refresher on drawing and perspective, then put it into practice with some genuinely worthwhile watercolour exercises. You will have the time to work from an image (or images) of
FULLY BOOKED: GEOLOGY OF ENGLAND
The geological history of England spans almost 700 million years of time, which is reflected in its great diversity of rocks and spectacular landscapes. Come on an exciting journey that will encounter cataclysmic volcanoes, dinosaurs, long-lost oceans and mountain ranges. This particular course is all classroom-based, purely indoors, with illustrated presentations and a large selection
6 events,
ABSTRACTING FROM THE LANDSCAPE (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
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 highamhall.com/alex-jakob-whitworth) Residential: £395 Non-residential: £285 (incl. materials)
BOTANICAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
Choose your favourite early year flowers to draw and paint accurately. Produce a lovely composition from nature. Both beginners and the more experienced will receive help and individual tuition to suit everyone. Marion Wilson SBA (W Cumbria highamhall.com/marion-wilson) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255
FULLY BOOKED: GET WEAVING!
Explore the use of colour and texture. Dress a loom. Understand how to read pattern draft. Suitable for both absolute beginners and developing weavers. Jan Beadle (Cumbria highamhall.com/jan-beadle) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255 (Yarns £15 purchasable from Tutor)
4 events,
A CRASH COURSE IN PHILOSOPHY
Formerly philosophy was the preserve of PhDs and the intellectually precocious, until now! In this course we will explore some of the key questions of philosophy, such as: “How do we know that we know what we know?” ; “How should we live?”; “What is the best form of society?”; “Why do bad things happen
6 events,
ESSENTIAL ART SKILLS: COLOUR BASICS AND COLOUR MEDIA
A starter or refresher to get to grips with the basics in drawing. Explore the use of coloured media, with a variety of fun experimental projects which will expand your experience. With inspiration from works by great artists past and present. Our hop-on, hop-off series aims to gently embed, refresh and refine the foundation skills
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
5 events,
BRASS BAND WEEKEND
A serious, yet relaxed weekend for brass band players to rehearse and perform popular, and perhaps lesser-known, brass band repertoire. There will be both whole-band and sectional rehearsals. All prospective players must contact Martyn on 07970 036592 or martyn@onlinetrumpetteacher.com before enrolling to ascertain level, instrument(s) and suitability. Martyn Grisdale (Course leader) with Andy Kershaw ,
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY
TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY
What does it mean to be authentic? Just how does one ‘keep it real’? Have ideals of authenticity been corrupted by an excessively individualistic Western culture? In this talk Nietzsche (‘Become who you are’) and Heidegger (‘People are inauthentic because they allow themselves to be moulded by the group’) will help us to explore our
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: STRING CHAMBER MUSIC WORKSHOP
Higham is the ideal country house venue for chamber music. This course is for preformed string chamber groups (may include piano). Self-chosen repertoire. A large library will be available for further study. Louise Latham (Gr Manchester highamhall.com/louise-latham) Residential: £275 Non-residential: £195 An alternative to 8th Mar.
3 events,
PICTURE FRAMING
The right frame can make or break a work of art. Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own frames to complement your art competently and accurately. Learn about mount cutting, double mounts, glass cutting and wash lines. No experience required. Make at least two complete frames. Bill Davies (Wirral highamhall.com/bill-davies) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 (Materials
NATURE JOURNALING FOR WELLBEING
*NEW* Nature Journals can be an ideal way to connect more closely with nature. It has proven benefits to our wellbeing, and is a fun way to add value to even the shortest walk. Explore the different ways to record your finds, and leave with a plan and the beginning of your own journal. Ideal
3 events,
NATURE IN INK AND COLOURED PENCIL: WOODLAND
Artist and author Helen Hanson’s unusual combination of ink and coloured pencil, originally developed for landscape, is applied to the natural world in this exciting new course. Use creative mark-making in ink, dry coloured pencil, embossing and lifting out to depict the plants, birds, animals and features of the woodland environment. This is slow art,
4 events,
NEW YEAR YOGA RETREAT WEEKEND
Explore the Yoga tradition, balancing seasonal effects through diet, daily routine and yoga practice. Essentially practical, using posture, breathing, meditative techniques and just a tiny bit of theory. All levels. Amanda Oakes (Cumbria highamhall.com/amanda-oakes) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
FULLY BOOKED: ART SELF-RUN WORKSHOP
For experienced artists to take advantage of the studio to develop your own projects free of distractions, whilst enjoying the Higham magic, the food! No tutor, but a chance to share ideas and mutual support inspired by the surroundings. Residential: £230 Non-residential: £150
5 events,
SUNDAY LECTURE: LOST CUMBRIA ON FILM
SUNDAY LECTURE: LOST CUMBRIA ON FILM
We will be heading back in time for a nostalgic trip to bygone Cumbria with the Cumbria Film Archive. A unique afternoon of entertainment enjoying genuinely rare and unique footage of people and places across the county - always fascinating and always something new. See cumbriafilmarchive.com for examples of the growing collection of excellent footage
TRY FOR A DAY: PASTELS FOR THE TERRIFIED (EVERYTHING PROVIDED)
TRY FOR A DAY: PASTELS FOR THE TERRIFIED (EVERYTHING PROVIDED)
What is says on the tin. Get step-by-step guidance to produce a picture to be proud of, using pastels. Anyone can give this a go and the results can be remarkable, even if you’ve never tried anything arty! NEW TUTOR: Emma Hunt (Cumbria highamhall.com/emma-hunt) £105 (incl. lunch and materials)
5 events,
WINTER LANDSCAPE: SKETCHING AND PAINTING
Suitable for intermediate to advanced level. Explore the Lake District in winter when colour and shadow are at their most varied and dramatic. With demos, exercises and expert advice throughout, experience outdoor sketching trips (dress for the weather). Use mixed-media and develop a studio project in the painting medium of your choice. Lionel Playford (N
FULLY BOOKED: ADVANCED WOODWIND ENSEMBLES
A course for wind players from Grade 8 to Diploma, working in detail on wind chamber repertoire for large and smaller ensembles. There will be an informal concert on the morning of the last day. Laurence Perkins (Manchester highamhall.com/laurence-perkins) Residential: £710 Non-residential: £540 We can pick up at 5pm from Penrith Rail Station (+£40) BY
4 events,
ANIMAL PORTRAITS IN COLOURED PENCIL (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
For beginners and improvers. Bring your own photographs of your pet, other animals, birds, landscape, or inanimate objects. Learn about the different ways you can use pencil, layering, blending, removing colour to create texture and depth. Bring your own good quality coloured pencils (tutor will be using Derwent Inktense), together with an A3 size folder
LACE AS YOU LIKE IT
Want to learn, or return to, the beautiful craft of bobbin lacemaking? Have a lace pattern and need project advice? This is for you. All abilities welcome, including complete beginners. Jan Gardiner (Somerset highamhall.com/jan-gardiner) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 (Basic materials purchasable from Tutor c£5-£10) Precedes another course.
SINGING: ANYTHING GOES!
A great opportunity to explore different singing styles from African and gospel, folk songs and ballads, to doo-wop, rock and, roll and musical theatre. Plus, an introduction to song signing to promote deaf awareness. Literally - ANYTHING GOES! Some choir experience is useful but sight reading not necessary. Chris Hale (S. Cheshire highamhall.com/christine-hale) Residential: £270
4 events,
LACE AS YOU LIKE IT
Want to learn, or return to, the beautiful craft of bobbin lacemaking? Have a lace pattern and need project advice? This is for you. All abilities welcome, including complete beginners. Jan Gardiner (Somerset highamhall.com/jan-gardiner) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190 (Basic materials purchasable from Tutor c£5-£10) Follows another course.
3 events,
EXPRESSIVE PASTELS: SOFT AND HARD
For experienced artists wanting to become more expressive when using 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
4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: MAHLER 5, 6 AND 7
Mahler’s central triptych of purely orchestral symphonies offers a less fanciful, more mature and realistic approach than his early symphonies. The Fifth moves from death to life, the Sixth Mahler himself called the “Tragic” and the Seventh explores “night music”. Ian France (Cumbria highamhall.com/ian-france) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
FULLY BOOKED: CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING FOR THE TERRIFIED (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
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. Peta Allingham (Lancashire highamhall.com/peta-allingham) Residential: £385 Non-residential: £275 (inc. materials)
5 events,
WATERCOLOUR, IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK
Many people begin by saying “I’ve been told watercolour is the hardest medium”. Franky disagrees, and she is here to tell you it’s easier than you think. Learn to love watercolour and watercolour pencils, all through the joy of spring flowers and landscapes. Franky Rodwell (Lancashire highamhall.com/franky-rodwell) Residential: £290 Non-residential: £210 (incl. materials)
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. Cathy Newbery (Cumbria highamhall.com/cathy-newbery) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
FULLY BOOKED: LEATHERWORK: PERSONALISED JOURNAL (MATERIALS PROVIDED)
Create your own personalised A5 sketchbook/journal. Learn the traditional craft of leatherwork to hand-tool your own drawings and designs onto the leather cover and hand-stitch the cover together using the saddle stitch. Templates will be available if you do not wish to use your own drawings. Roslyn Whiting (Scottish Borders highamhall.com/roslyn-whiting) Residential: £290 Non-residential: £210
BRAHMS AND THE SCHUMANNS
Johannes Brahms (1833-97) and Robert Schumann (1810-56) were 2 of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Their lives were intertwined through the remarkable figure of Clara Schumann (1819- 96). We will explore this ‘musical threesome’ through orchestral, chamber and piano music, choral works and songs. Chris Rodwell (Lancashire highamhall.com/chris-rodwell) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
6 events,
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 highamhall.com/kara-strachan) Residential: £365 Non-residential: £255
FULLY BOOKED: YOGA AND WALKING: SPRING
A perfect mix - sessions of hatha yoga (postures, breathing exercises, relaxation) coupled with guided hill walks of up to 5 miles, sometimes over rough and steep ground (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