A question that many people ask is how do I find my style? This workshop will guide you through a process that will help you to develop your ideas and find your unique voice. When you keep a sketchbook think of it as a place to store ideas and inspiration. It doesn’t have to be a beautiful finished piece of art. - it is exclusively yours and no one else needs to see it. Use it as a memory prompt. If something inspires you or takes your interest - log it in the sketchbook. It doesn’t need to be in sketch form - it can be a colour, a word, a saying, a snippet of overheard conversation, a bus ticket, a twig - anything! None of the things you collate need to immediately become ‘something’ (but hopefully they will). You might look back in years to come and find fresh inspiration from something that you logged - even if you can’t remember its origins. This all takes time, but it will make you a better student/artist as it will develop your critiquing skills. You will learn to explore different ideas and be able to draw out different options. You will learn what’s successful, and create and develop ideas that are exclusively yours. You can display your collections and memory prompts. Add found stuff that prompts ideas and creativity - items and photos that you choose to reflect you. Collate images, colours, textures, moods. Things that are personal to you and that appeal to you. All these items will form the basis of your inspiration and will guide your creative journey. Once you have developed ideas in your sketchbook, you will see that certain ‘themes’ begin to appear. It may be that you have collated a load of random stuff, but looking at it as a whole you may notice that you favour particular colours, or landscapes, or portraits, or abstract etc.. These ‘groupings’ can become the basis of your theme. Once you have started the development of your theme, you can then run with it and expand it into your art, which you could present as a set of work. All materials, tea, coffee & cake included Parking Please note there is no parking directly at the venue. There is on-road parking in the road opposite or in The Avenue where there is a walk-way to the studios. Coldharbour pay and display carpark is a short walk. Disabled Parking We have 2 disabled parking bays for blue badge holders directly outside the door - please email to reserve.

Come and spend a fun day learning three techniques and combining them to make a framed Christmas gift, Christmas cards, tags and wrapping paper! Gelli plate printing Calligraphy Mixed media Three workshops in one! Includes all materials, mulled wine, mince pies and a buffet lunch! Amazing Value - Only £95 per person. *Bring a friend and you each get £10 off! *Offer now extended for bookings before the end of November Book 2 places and use Promo Code XMASFUNFORTWO for £20 off.

An intensive half day course introducing painting landscapes in oil especially for those who have been putting off trying this fantastic medium. You will be guided through the stages of preparation and paint application to produce a simple landscape. Advice on colour mixing and composition will also be given along with tips on what to buy should you wish to continue. Oil is a versatile and forgiving medium which can be used in a variety of styles. This workshop is suited to beginners and to experienced watercolour and acrylic painters who are thinking of making the jump to oils. All equipment provided. Refreshments provided. (Bringing any brushes you have would be very useful!) "Really enjoyed, great intro, full of info and helpful tips. Thank you." Katie F "Brilliant - hugely helpful and encouraging." Lizzie L "Wonderful day. Great teacher - so very helpful and understanding!" Nigel L

Modern Brush Calligraphy Techniques 5-Week Course Description A 5-week calligraphy course running every Friday from 15th September to 13th October. Suitable for Complete Beginners; This course will teach you everything from the correct hold of the pen, and the basics strokes, to being able to bounce your letters and trying different brush tools and techniques. By the end of this course, you will be able to create a beautifully composed piece, with the tool and style of your choice. So, if you're looking for a faster way to learn Calligraphy, prefer to learn hands-on and in-person, then this is the course for you! Class sizes are kept small (maximum 8!) so you can easily ask questions and get lots of one to one time with your tutor. What's included in the price? The classes include hot and cold drinks, and snacks (however please bring a packed lunch with you) All of the paper required is supplied on this course, and you also receive a beginner’s pen pack with all the tools you need to start (so there’s no need to bring anything with you) Can I buy extras from you? You will have the chance to purchase from a selection of metallic Finetec inks, pen holders, Rhodia pads, paints and more! Brief Course Run Down: Week 1 – Introduction/Tools/Maintenance/Basic strokes and Alphabet with a Brush Pen Week 2 – Improver –An introduction to bouncing, exploring words and phrases Week 3 – Watercolour – Continuing to play around with bounce from the Alphabet to Words and Phrases, with a paint brush and water colour Week 4 – Flourishing – Learning how and when to flourish and creating some small pieces, including watercolour florals Week 5 – Composition and exploring different shapes & techniques – Creating a final piece PRICE £380 for the full 5 weeks including all materials. 25% deposit required at time of booking. The Balance payable before 1st September 2023. Cancellation policy Non-refundable - Refunds are not available but your place can be transferred onto another course (if available) South West Art Courses Ltd. City & Guilds Centre number 009765

Papier Maché Bunny This little bunny is so easy to make with a (slightly) less messy version of the traditional papier maché. Spend a day with us in an informal relaxed workshop and learn how to make this little figure, (and also how to clothe her using very basic hand sewing techniques) so that she’s ready to take home with you at the end of the day. All materials are provided and so are tea coffee and cake! Lunch available to buy from The Buttercup Cafe or alternatively please bring a packed lunch.

Join us for James' demonstration of a portrait in oil. Refreshments included. (Please arrive by 1.15pm for a prompt start at 1.30pm) About the Artist "I was six when I knew my future would have something to do with art. My father was a keen artist and my grandfather worked in art and design, so I was very lucky to have access to their expertise and example. Making pictures was a perfectly normal thing to invest time and effort into, and although I never required encouragement or praise to draw and paint, commandeering the kitchen table for some messy and incomprehensible artistic whim was generally accepted without comment. In 1996, after graduating from Coventry Art School with some well-developed skills – and some completely absent ones – I went about the business of painting commercially. Ten years of paying the bills took me through a large number of copies, illustrations, murals and into graphics, 3d design and ultimately interior design. During this time I honed a number of techniques, and discovered a lot about what I was good at and what I should probably avoid; however, I hardly had the chance to do my own artwork, let alone the creative energy. Eventually I became completely dissatisfied with the world of commercial art and barely recognised my own work. I decided to sell my other ability – music – and pursue my art for its own sake. I now only work from life, hardly ever photographs. For subject matter, I had always been inclined towards the human form and face. More recently I have been rediscovering still life and plein air. Making art is my way of discovering myself. In painting and drawing I see my own nature; the confidences and inhibitions, the profound and the mundane. We all communicate on a sub-linguistic level. Painting gives me the opportunity to look at what we experience as human beings before it gets squeezed into words, and keep a little bit of it. When working I am at my most honest, and most alive" www.jamesbudden.co.uk Please note there is no parking* at Compton Studies. Please use on-road parking either in the roads opposite or in The Avenue where there is a footpath leading back up to the studios. A short walk along Coldharbour there is also Coldharbour long stay car park. *There are two blue badge places for anyone needing a disabled parking place. Please email admin@southwestartcourses.co.uk to reserve one of these.

Jenni and Carolyn will take you through everything you need to produce beautiful watercolour paintings. This includes:- - Choice of paper, paint and brushes - Paper preparation - Washes and working wet - Transparency and luminosity - Texture - Gouache Demonstrations and guided tasks will enable you to practise the techniques of this challenging medium. The class is kept to a maximum of eight learners with two tutors ensuring major teacher contact time. A day packed with instruction and practical activities that will springboard you into painting with watercolour. All materials for the day are provided. All refreshments are provided - Buttercup Cafe is open for lunch or please bring your own packed lunch. (If you do have you own paints and brushes please bring them along.)

Sketchbooks In this course you will discover the ability to not only start a sketchbook but continue and finish it! You will gain the knowledge skills and confidence to enjoy the use of your sketchbook and to want to continue the practice as part of your daily routine. Choosing the right sketchbook for you. How to make sketchbooks. How to upcycle books to use as sketchbooks. How to prepare the pages to lose that ‘blank page’. How to find inspiration and content. How to develop a theme. Find your own style and develop it. Explore mixed media. Find your preferred medium. Create a travel kit of essentials for every day use - even if you only take it as far as your kitchen! Small class of only 8 students to maximise teacher student contact time. All materials provided! 10.30am - 3.00pm Tea, coffee & cake included. Please bring your own lunch.

Learn this style of mosaic which incorporates broken plates, ceramic shards and found objects into a creative design. This style of mosaic tends to use non uniform shaped pieces, challenging the learner to be fluid and spontaneous during the design process. Are you holding onto broken pieces of something you want to glue back together? Why not incorporate them into a piece of art instead! Join this informal friendly workshop and learn the basics of this beautiful craft, and take home a stunning handmade decorative item. All materials (and refreshments) will be provided. There will be a selection of items such as mirrors, jugs and boards that you may choose from to use as the base for your piece. Lunch available for purchase at the new Buttercup Cafe at Grassroots (or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch.)

In this 2 day workshop you will gain all the skills you need to create a beautiful bespoke traditional lampshade. Beginning with a recycled frame, we will strip it back, prepare and bind it ready to be re-covered. Create a pattern for the face fabric. Learn how to cut fabric on the bias and maintain tension without distorting the pattern. You will also be taught how to fit the fabric on the straight grain so that you can use any pattern you choose. Using hand stitching only, you will learn the traditional stitches used in lampshade making for stretching and increasing tension. Finally, you will learn how to attach trim and other embellishments. Please bring 1 meter of fabric and co-ordinating trim (2m) of your own choice. There will be up-cycled fabric and trim available to purchase on the day. All other equipment is provided for use on the day. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided, but please bring a packed lunch. 10.30am - 3.30pm with a break for lunch. £350 Booking a Course: In order to secure and confirm bookings of courses and workshops run by South West Art Courses Ltd, full payment in advance is required. Payments for all courses can be made by Bacs (please email for details) or through the website. Bookings are made on a first come first serve basis and places are limited.

Join Steph for this workshop suitable for complete beginners, where you will learn the basics in a friendly environment with like-minded people. We start with how to hold the pen. You will then learn how each letter is formed, working through the alphabet, how to connect letters and then form words. Towards the end of the class, you will put your new found skills to use by making some gift tags and even your own greeting card! This workshop includes: - Refreshments - Complimentary glass of bubbles (non-alcoholic available) - A full starter calligraphy pack (with an RRP of £20+) The starter calligraphy pack contains: · Beginners Modern Calligraphy worksheet pack · Pointed Pen · Three gift tags · Greeting card Book two places and get 10% off! Use BRINGAFRIEND in the coupon code section on the booking page.

Please bring an image of your choice. Workshop will include: Planning the lie of the background fabric - what shades and shapes does your image need? Simple stitch techniques to secure your layers to your base fabric. Practice stitches for reference for your piece of work . Planning the pattern - where to place stitches and choosing the correct stitches. Building up the layers. Putting it all together to complete your stitched picture. Finishing the back of your work. Tues 13th June ’23 10.30-13-30 Materials included & cake, coffee & tea.