Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September 2024 (one day class)
Starting with a collage
Starting with a simple collage, tearing various papers to form a composition of textures, colours and shapes, we will make a series of abstract surfaces. We'll then look at taking just parts of these to extend into new pieces, finding landscape in the abstracted studies. We can also look at developing these into larger paintings, using the early collages as our starting point, to experiment with composition, colour and abstraction.
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2024 (one day class)
Introduction to oil painting
In this class we will develop and simplify how to paint in oils, as well as how to mix colour. Focusing on portraiture, I will demonstrate how you can create a mass of life like colours and tones using just six key colours. This is a lesson I learnt from Tim Benson, Royal Academy portrait painter, and these techniques have changed and simplified my approach to colour and portraiture ever since.
Saturday 23rd November 2024 (one day class)
A Play On Proportion
Proportion can be very difficult to master, as it is usually something we try to get very accurate. It’s what we see, therefore what is expected. However some very important artists like Picasso and Dali moved on, disregarding proportion all together. Dismissing proportion can be used to draw attention to something else in the work, for emphasis, or to question. Many painters create very well executed scenes, very safely and done very well, but they can be like wallpaper - accurate but boring work. In this class we will create compositions where the proportions are ‘all wrong.’ Using collage, drawn line, paint and other drawing materials (and even some of your own old work if you have any) we will see how we can experiment with proportion. This fun class will make you think differently about composition, making you consider proportion in a very different way.
Sunday 24th November 2024 (one day class)
Observational Drawing
Whether you draw regularly and want to brush up your skills or you really struggle with the basics, this class is a wonderful way to experience drawing in a supportive and friendly environment. We will concentrate on really looking, slowing down and focusing on proportions. I'll share tips on how to get general proportions right before we get into more specific detail. Although observation will be key, this won't compromise on our attention to mark making and expression as we'll be using soft pencil, charcoal and rubbers to make energetic and dynamic work.
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December 2024 (one day class)
Experimental Printmaking
We will be discovering the art of lino cutting by creating a series of unique prints. You will be able to design and create a printable lino cut, which we will then print on our studio press. We can also extend these pieces by combing collage, drawn line and play with colour in your prints to push them further. We will also be experimenting with mono prints on glass, taking one off prints that we can then work into with other methods. So lots of options to experiment and play with!
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2025 (one day class)
Painting Without Brushes (Seascapes)
Sometimes brushes can restrict us, as they can only offer a certain amount of different marks. In this class we'll be losing the brushes all-together, and instead we will use card, spray, rulers, scrapers, rollers and masking techniques to build up our seascapes. This is a very freeing and exciting way of finding new ways to make marks and broadening your language in painting. This is a very popular class that may change the way some of you paint forever!
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February 2025 (one day class)
Painting still lives in the Dark
The majority of the paintings we make are of images in full light, without thinking specifically as to what time of the day we are observing. In this class I will show you how to paint in Low Key, the darker tones, so ones that feel like early evening or even night. I will show you how to mix this palette so you can use your palette like a visual roadmap, to keep you on track. Using only the low key tones can create an unusual and transportive atmosphere, adding richness and depth to your work. We'll work from still lives in blacked out boxes that I will have prepared for you, so your subject only has partial light to draw from.
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March 2025 (one day class)
Monochrome Landscapes
Landscapes without colour can be as dramatic and complex as those with it, and can have a great depth as well as subtlety. The focus will be on mark making, scale and creating a dramatic atmosphere in our pieces. In this workshop we will spend time exploring the diversity of monochrome materials from pencils through to emulsion and oil bars, as well as using found drawing tools from the landscape. We'll be experimenting with capturing big, wild spaces in both small and larger scales.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April 2025 (one day class)
Composition and mark making
I have always loved painting scenes where the landscape feels paired down to just its structural elements. Good composition, a limited palette and selective information will be the focus, as well as understanding what to do with small amounts of information. I will guide you through creating a strong but simple scene, finding magic in empty space.
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2025 (one day class)
Sculptural Paintings
This class is all about extending past the formal edges of your work. We'll be using thick paint and fresh loose marks to make landscapes, attaching new pieces of heavy card to our work to make dynamic, sculptural paintings that show excitement, expression and the joy of process. This is a playful and experimental class that will teach you about loosening up and creating powerful compositions.
Prices
Classes run from 10 am to 4 pm and cost £55 per day. This includes some materials, tea, coffee and refreshments, as well as a light lunch of home cooked food that we will share in the studio.
A £25 deposit is required for each class. Please remember to book to avoid disappointment as we have limited spaces each month. The non refundable deposit can be paid below or you can get in touch to make a booking.
To book please contact Beth Marsden using the e-mail address, number or contact form above.
Hope to see you there!
Starting with a collage
Starting with a simple collage, tearing various papers to form a composition of textures, colours and shapes, we will make a series of abstract surfaces. We'll then look at taking just parts of these to extend into new pieces, finding landscape in the abstracted studies. We can also look at developing these into larger paintings, using the early collages as our starting point, to experiment with composition, colour and abstraction.
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2024 (one day class)
Introduction to oil painting
In this class we will develop and simplify how to paint in oils, as well as how to mix colour. Focusing on portraiture, I will demonstrate how you can create a mass of life like colours and tones using just six key colours. This is a lesson I learnt from Tim Benson, Royal Academy portrait painter, and these techniques have changed and simplified my approach to colour and portraiture ever since.
Saturday 23rd November 2024 (one day class)
A Play On Proportion
Proportion can be very difficult to master, as it is usually something we try to get very accurate. It’s what we see, therefore what is expected. However some very important artists like Picasso and Dali moved on, disregarding proportion all together. Dismissing proportion can be used to draw attention to something else in the work, for emphasis, or to question. Many painters create very well executed scenes, very safely and done very well, but they can be like wallpaper - accurate but boring work. In this class we will create compositions where the proportions are ‘all wrong.’ Using collage, drawn line, paint and other drawing materials (and even some of your own old work if you have any) we will see how we can experiment with proportion. This fun class will make you think differently about composition, making you consider proportion in a very different way.
Sunday 24th November 2024 (one day class)
Observational Drawing
Whether you draw regularly and want to brush up your skills or you really struggle with the basics, this class is a wonderful way to experience drawing in a supportive and friendly environment. We will concentrate on really looking, slowing down and focusing on proportions. I'll share tips on how to get general proportions right before we get into more specific detail. Although observation will be key, this won't compromise on our attention to mark making and expression as we'll be using soft pencil, charcoal and rubbers to make energetic and dynamic work.
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December 2024 (one day class)
Experimental Printmaking
We will be discovering the art of lino cutting by creating a series of unique prints. You will be able to design and create a printable lino cut, which we will then print on our studio press. We can also extend these pieces by combing collage, drawn line and play with colour in your prints to push them further. We will also be experimenting with mono prints on glass, taking one off prints that we can then work into with other methods. So lots of options to experiment and play with!
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2025 (one day class)
Painting Without Brushes (Seascapes)
Sometimes brushes can restrict us, as they can only offer a certain amount of different marks. In this class we'll be losing the brushes all-together, and instead we will use card, spray, rulers, scrapers, rollers and masking techniques to build up our seascapes. This is a very freeing and exciting way of finding new ways to make marks and broadening your language in painting. This is a very popular class that may change the way some of you paint forever!
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February 2025 (one day class)
Painting still lives in the Dark
The majority of the paintings we make are of images in full light, without thinking specifically as to what time of the day we are observing. In this class I will show you how to paint in Low Key, the darker tones, so ones that feel like early evening or even night. I will show you how to mix this palette so you can use your palette like a visual roadmap, to keep you on track. Using only the low key tones can create an unusual and transportive atmosphere, adding richness and depth to your work. We'll work from still lives in blacked out boxes that I will have prepared for you, so your subject only has partial light to draw from.
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March 2025 (one day class)
Monochrome Landscapes
Landscapes without colour can be as dramatic and complex as those with it, and can have a great depth as well as subtlety. The focus will be on mark making, scale and creating a dramatic atmosphere in our pieces. In this workshop we will spend time exploring the diversity of monochrome materials from pencils through to emulsion and oil bars, as well as using found drawing tools from the landscape. We'll be experimenting with capturing big, wild spaces in both small and larger scales.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April 2025 (one day class)
Composition and mark making
I have always loved painting scenes where the landscape feels paired down to just its structural elements. Good composition, a limited palette and selective information will be the focus, as well as understanding what to do with small amounts of information. I will guide you through creating a strong but simple scene, finding magic in empty space.
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2025 (one day class)
Sculptural Paintings
This class is all about extending past the formal edges of your work. We'll be using thick paint and fresh loose marks to make landscapes, attaching new pieces of heavy card to our work to make dynamic, sculptural paintings that show excitement, expression and the joy of process. This is a playful and experimental class that will teach you about loosening up and creating powerful compositions.
Prices
Classes run from 10 am to 4 pm and cost £55 per day. This includes some materials, tea, coffee and refreshments, as well as a light lunch of home cooked food that we will share in the studio.
A £25 deposit is required for each class. Please remember to book to avoid disappointment as we have limited spaces each month. The non refundable deposit can be paid below or you can get in touch to make a booking.
To book please contact Beth Marsden using the e-mail address, number or contact form above.
Hope to see you there!
