Calendar of Courses
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4 events,
FULLY BOOKED: DRAMATIC SKIES, LAND AND SEASCAPE IN SOFT PASTELS
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 oneto-one critique to support you to confidently handle this subtle yet versatile medium. Residential £390 Non-residential £270
FULLY BOOKED: WOVEN TAPESTRY: WEDGE WEAVE LANDSCAPE
This course uses the landscape in and around Higham to explore the wedge weave technique. We will consider how the forms and movement in the landscape may be expressed in this weaverly, rather than literal way. This course follows Louise’s course on Pulled Warp Woven Tapesty, 26-28 Sept. Residential £295 Non-residential £215
FULLY BOOKED: BOTANICAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
Sculptural seed heads and glowing hedgerow fruits will inspire you to capture the fresh palette and clean lines of autumn. Working direct from nature, learn to accurately depict them in watercolour with technical demonstrations, knowledgeable guidance and one-to-one tuition. For both beginners and the more experienced. Residential £390 Non-residential £270
FULLY BOOKED: DRAWING AND PAINTING LAKELAND CHURCHES
The northern Lake District is littered with characterful old churches in stunning locations - where the dappled light of old churchyards conjure atmospheric qualities ideal for mixedmedia sketching and painting en plein air. Join Lionel on five days of painting expeditions to hone your skills in drawing both architectural and natural forms and using colour
3 events,
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 Residential: £410 Non-residential: £285 (yarns £15 available to purchase from tutor)
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: STRING ORCHESTRA WEEKEND
A weekend for string players exploring wonderful music for string orchestra directed by professional violinist, Louise Latham. Repertoire as follows: Torelli Concerto Grosso; Finzi Romance; Janacek Suite; Tippett Little Music for Strings Louise Latham Residential: £320 Non-residential: £235
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: WOODCARVING: CREATIVE RELIEF CARVING
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
4 events,
DISCOVER THE VERSATILTY OF SOFT PASTEL
Aim for vibrant and atmospheric paintings, be inspired using soft pastels on a variety of different backgrounds. Step by step and personal guidance. For all levels to enjoy. Sue Ford Residential: £305 Non-residential: £220
FULLY BOOKED: THE FILM WESTERN FROM 1960 TO THE PRESENT DAY
The Western has always reinvented itself. Though from the 1960s onwards fewer Westerns were made, the images, archetypes and provocations of the genre continued to captivate artists and audiences worldwide. Each era had its take on the cowboy, the cattle baron and the frontier. The course will trace the ways in which the Western continues
2 events,
NATURE JOURNALLING
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 for
3 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 at martyngrisdale@gmail.com before enrolling to ascertain level, instrument(s) and suitability. Martyn Grisdale (course leader) with Simon Cowen and Michael Howley Residential:
2 events,
EXPLORE DRAWING – A BEGINNERS COURSE
EXPLORE DRAWING – A BEGINNERS COURSE
A gentle introduction to drawing, working at your own pace with artist and tutor Ceri Allen. Learn the basics of drawing materials, methods and techniques. Ceri Allen £95 including lunch BOOK ONLINE: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DRNK
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: SOLWAY MARITIME HISTORY
This course explores the rich maritime history and stunning landscapes of the Solway coast. With a programme of minibus-based field trips we will visit different harbours, historic quaysides and coastal sites stretching from Whitehaven in west Cumbria through to Dumfries in southwest Scotland. Fiona Stoddart Residential: £455 Non-residential: £330 (includes minibus trips)
LACE AS YOU LIKE IT
Have you ever wondered about how lace is made? Would you like to learn this fascinating craft? All abilities are welcome, from complete beginner through to advanced. Want to try a lace type that you have not made before? Most of the many different lace types can be accommodated in the class. If you have
3 events,
ENAMEL BOWLS
This course will focus on making fired enamel copper bowls of different sizes. There will be a range of sizes available to work with, from small to very large bowls, but those who have not made an enamel bowl before will be encouraged to start small. We will troubleshoot the challenges of working at scale
4 events,
LACE AS YOU LIKE IT
Have you ever wondered about how lace is made? Would you like to learn this fascinating craft? All abilities are welcome, from complete beginner through to advanced. Want to try a lace type that you have not made before? Most of the many different lace types can be accommodated in the class. If you have
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: PAINTING FUNGI
A chance to try botanical painting alongside our annual MUSHROOMS, TOADSTOOLS AND OTHER FUNGI identification course which should mean a wide range of real examples and mycological expertise will be immediately to hand if you wish to deepen your knowledge of your subject. Work in watercolour, coloured pencil or try a mixture of both, with
FULLY BOOKED: MUSHROOMS, TOADSTOOLS AND OTHER FUNGI
Our seasonal opportunity to develop fungi identification skills with a renowned expert. Minibus field trips: easy, but off-path walking. Collect and observe fungi in various habitats, examine finds, accurately identify with a range of keys for identification to both genus and species. For anyone interested in fungi, seasoned or unseasoned, with a wish to learn.
INTRODUCTION TO BRYOPHYTES (MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS)
INTRODUCTION TO BRYOPHYTES (MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS)
An introductory course in which we will look at identifying some of the most common bryophytes. We will look at the main features that help with identification, collect some species from the grounds and practise using a key. We will use hand lenses and microscopes to appreciate the details of these tiny plants and get
5 events,
FULLY BOOKED: SHAKESPEARE’S CORIOLANUS: HERO OR VILLIAN?
Join us to explore an unexpectedly topical Roman tragedy, set against a cost of living crisis, class conflict, contentious elections, and the threats of external warfare. Coriolanus is a war hero rejected by the populus when he proves unable to ‘play politics’; his attempted revenge brings about his own destruction. Clare Smout Residential: £305 Non-residential:
FULLY BOOKED: WOODBLOCK PRINTMAKING WEEKEND
Transform your own designs into print, perhaps for a Christmas card, using the fascinating media of woodcut and wood engraving. Working with plywood, MDF, end-grain hardwood or plastic blocks, a wide range of styles is possible, whatever your art background. Beginners or experienced, be inspired to start a home industry! Peter Collins Residential: £305 Non-residential:
1 event,
INTRODUCTION TO UPHOLSTERY (1)
INTRODUCTION TO UPHOLSTERY (1)
A small starter project to complete in a day - replace a drop in seat in a dining chair, piano stool or small stool - using a mixture of traditional and modern techniques. Learn how to take off old coverings and work out what you can reuse, rebuild with appropriate filling, fabric selection and placement,
0 events,
1 event,
QUILT AS YOU GO LOG CABIN
Log Cabin is a very versatile patchwork block with many variations. For this project you can create nine different log cabin variations (no foundation piecing involved) as a sampler quilt (see picture) or as a 'Sew A Row' quilt. The different blocks are quilted before being joined together using a 'Quilt As You Go' technique.
1 event,
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: PEN AND WASH
A course looking at pen and ink techniques and combining them with watercolour to create line and wash artwork. We will be looking at how to create textures, tones and decorative patterns with ink and how to paint various washes and then combining the two to produce line and wash work. Demonstrations, help and advice
3 events,
FULLY BOOKED: QUILT AS YOU GO LOG CABIN
Log Cabin is a very versatile patchwork block with many variations. For this project you can create nine different log cabin variations (no foundation piecing involved) as a sampler quilt (see picture) or as a 'Sew A Row' quilt. The different blocks are quilted before being joined together using a 'Quilt As You Go' technique.
4 events,
TIME TO WRITE
A creative retreat in the idyllic surroundings of the Lake District which has been an inspiration to generations of writers. Whether you’re a beginner needing help to put your ideas on paper, or an author longing for a peaceful space, constructive feedback and the company of other writers, this is for you. There will be
SUNDAY LECTURE: SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE: LIFE, LITERATURE AND IMAGINATION
SUNDAY LECTURE: SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE: LIFE, LITERATURE AND IMAGINATION
Famous as the author of The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge is one of the most intriguing and contradictory characters in English literature. He is also of course a leading figure among Lake District writers. This lecture will focus on Coleridge's achievements as a poet and thinker, in the context of his
2 events,
FULLY BOOKED: INTERMEDIATE WOODWIND WORKSHOP DIRECTED BY LAURENCE PERKINS
All applications to be made initially through Laurence to ascertain ensemble line-up. www.laurenceperkins.com/wind-serenades There will be a free informal concert with participants on Sunday 11:15am Laurence Perkins with Mandy Burvill Residential: £620 Non-residential: £485 We can pick up at 5pm from Penrith Rail Station (+£40) BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ON PAYING BALANCE.
4 events,
BOTANICAL ART IN COLOURED PENCIL: OBSERVING NUTS, BERRIES, SEEDS AND FRUITS
Take a close look at seasonal nuts, fruits and berries to accurately capture their colours, textures and forms in coloured pencil. Working on either a single study or a small mixed composition, there will be explanations of techniques, demonstrations and individual attention while you work at your own pace in a relaxed atmosphere. Suitable for
FULLY BOOKED: LANDSCAPE EXPRESSIVE SEMI ABSTRACT ACRYLIC MIXED MEDIA
Explore mixed media techniques using watercolour, gouache, acrylics, inks and soft pastel. We may venture outdoors (weather permitting), painting and drawing in the dramatic Lakeland landscape in order to build up a body of source material to work with, but this course focuses on developing your personal painterly style through exercises in the studio. We
FULLY BOOKED: ELGAR: MUSIC FOR AUTUMN
Elgar often looked back nostalgically, with wistful tenderness or at times with regret. For this course Ian has selected movements from Elgar’s symphonies and concertos together with his shorter orchestral pieces, chamber works and choral excerpts. This heartfelt music will enrich the autumnal journey with Elgar as our companion and guide. Ian France Residential: £305