Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses
Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns is a unique creative venue offering an inspiring range of art, craft and heritage workshops from a C17th listed farmhouse in the pretty village of Greystoke. We're placed 5 miles equidistantly from Penrith, Eden Valley & Ullswater, on the northern fringes of the Lake District, west of Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, north west England. We have been running around 1440 craft courses each year, since 2005.
During the lockdown of May 2020, we renovated an old hay loft and now host the majority our indoor courses and workshops in this wonderful, new, light, airy and spacious studio - 'the Swallow Barn’ ; although some tutors still prefer the cosy atmosphere and ground floor easy access nature of the original studio, 'Squirrel Barn'. Many of the courses (especially art and calligraphy) feature live streaming of tutor demos onto a large screen at the front, allowing students to watch closely, whilst seated at their desks. This practice was started during Covid but has been continued as very helpful with many workshops.
Please see our website https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria for full details of upcoming courses in date order.
Workshop days are relaxing, friendly and informal. They are delivered by hand picked professional and or expert tutors, many leaders in their chosen fields. Students often travel considerable distances to take part, staying in this lovely village of Greystoke or finding somewhere special close by . . .Keswick, Ullswater, Penrith and the Eden Valley are all within easy driving distance.
One, two or three day courses in:
- stone carving (relief or letter carving), wood carving, bird whittling, spoon carving, willow weaving and rush basket making.
- Lino cut printing, Fused glass, Stained Glass panels and Stained Glass mirrors, Sterling Silver jewellery and Silver Ring making courses, Porcelain plates and vases, and inspiring Mosaics
- Many textile courses including weaving, Needle felting Garden Bird pictures (robin/blue tit/wren) , Herdwick sheep and Pet Portraits, Felt art, Paint Print and Stitch, Felt Slippers, Ecoprinting, Leather Bag making, Learn to Spin and Lampshade Making, 'Hole House' bag making,
- Art courses : Introduction to Pen and Wash , Discovering Watercolours , Botanical and Wildlife illustration, Art courses with John Harrison, Frances Winder, Lyn Evans, Margaret Jarvis, Roy Simmons, Lis Bramwell, Calligraphy with Claire of byMoonandTide (our live streamed onto a large screen is especially useful for this course .. no more struggling to see the tutor demo close up from the back of the group!)
All day courses include tasty homemade lunch, fresh coffees and Aga cream teas. Drinks are served at desks do students may continue working Lunches to be taken at desks or in the garden during summer months.
Our workshop days are popular as gifts for special occasions. Quirky Open Vouchers make perfect and original presents and mean a lovely day can be shared together if preferred. Our Christmas Open vouchers are especially popular.
A full list of our courses can be found at https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria or please phone 017684 83984
We look forward to welcoming you here in Greystoke!
Location
We are in the picturesque village of Greystoke, just 5 miles west of Penrith/Junction 40 of the M6 and a few miles north of the A66 and Ullswater. Keswick is approx 15 minutes further west
Greystoke boasts several B B's, as well as self catering options and has its own website greystokevillage.co.uk We have a playing field, an outdoor heated swimming pool open from June through to August, a Castle, a church, a shop and post office and a cosy pub serving evening meals.
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
Try your hand at “line and wash” – the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour – with landscape artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching.
John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural.Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to high lght his drawings. He is an active Urban Sketcher, and runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and has just come to the end of a year-long monthly feature in the Dalesman.
Suitable for all abilities
'Water and Waves in Pastels' with Roy Simmons
Painting Seascapes and Water in Oil Pastels with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
Join Roy for another enjoyable and relaxed day, experimenting with oil pastels under his enhtusiastic guidance.
They say oil and water do not mix, true, but they can dance together and produce dramatic effects!
After some initial exercises to introduce the materials, I will demonstrate a seascape step by step and you will follow along using the materials provided. It is here we will take full advantage of the oil pastel and white gouache paint to create that watery sparkle. It is rather magical, the oil pastel repels the wet paint and helps make effects that will amaze you!
After this we will produce more paintings using reference photos provided. You will take home several paintings, one will be in a supplied mount.
'Moku hanga' Japanese woodblock printing 'Iconic Landscapes' with Julie Evans
Join Julie Evans for an exciting foray into the art of Mokuhanga, an ancient Japanese printing technique depicting 'Iconic Landscapes'
Discover mokuhanga Japanese woodblock printing (near Ullswater The Lake District) in early October, and how the various textures and tones were achieved by Hokusai, famed for his 'Great Wave off Kanagawa', amongst others. Join Lancaster printmaker, Julie Evans, and print your own 'Iconic Landscape' in this style.
On this busy one day workshop you will learn the basic processes of this ancient traditional Japanese technique that uses only watercolours and rice starch. You will come away with the skills you need to continue exploring and developing at home.
In the morning Julie will guide you through creating a simple 3-5 colour ‘landscape’ of mountains, lake, sky, clouds and perhaps a sun or moon. Templates to the correct size of 16x11 cm will be provided for you to use or adapt. Each element of the design will then be transferred onto the colour blocks - iro-ban ready for carving. You will learn how to cut the registration kentou that ensure each block prints exactly on top of the previous one.
Using a set of woodcutting tools you will outline each area of the design and carve a gully all around it to isolate it from the surrounding wood. If you have any injury or arthritis in your fingers, hands or shoulder you may find this part difficult, but Julie can help you with the carving and the shina-plywood is very soft.
After lunch you will prepare your paints, rice starch and paper ready to begin printing the woodblocks. Julie will show you how to control the paint and pressure of the baren to create different effects. After that you will be free to explore your blocks in whatever way you choose. You will be supplied with a variety of western and Japanese washi papers so that you can see how differently they print. Julie will also be bringing along some of her professional tools and equipment for you to try.
Your woodblock is yours to take home and Julie will show you how you can re-carve areas and add extra elements to your design. She will also demonstrate how you can use a floating kentou to create additional and abstract effects which involve a little less carving.
Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder
An exciting workshop with this popular tutor, well known for her landscapes and skill at depicting beautiful reflections on water.
Frances will be dealing with colour theories, adjacent and opposite colour designs, and the drama of tonal changes. Light and shade emphasis and how to add that wow factor to your work. Demonstrating in watercolour techniques, the flow and excitement of wet in wet methods, and in acrylic paint the value of texture and richness of overlaying colour. The techniques can be reversed and used to add intensity and drama to each medium.
For beginners I advise a simple range of gouache paints, designers white, primary red, yellow, ultramarine, black, burnt umber and primary blue. Round brushes, small medium and large, a plastic palette. Luxury colours would be green gold, and orange.
Good watercolour paper is fine for acrylic, watercolour, and gouache paints.
This class is suitable for every standard of student from beginner to experienced student. I try to cover or develop what I think will help your individual aims or expertise in this work
The Walton Tote ~ Two day Bag Making Workshops with Emma of 'Hole House Bags'
The Walton Tote - 2 days
Fri 4th & Sat 5th Oct 2024
The Walton Tote is an elegant handbag, not too big but not too small, with a handy zipped dividing pocket in the lining and an elegant twist lock closure. It looks perfect made in tweed, but you could also use a heavy weight linen or canvas and the design allows you to play with two different outer fabrics if you'd like.
It's suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginner bag makers! As long as you can use your sewing machine, you will be guided carefully through each step.
Botanical Art for the Terrified' with Lis Bramwell
Botanical Art for the Terrified! How to paint beautiful flowers using watercolours, even if you're not sure where to start!
Join Lis on this informal, fun and relaxed day where you will gradually build up your botanical skills and techniques as the day progresses. A perfect course for those with a love of flowers and plants who are keen to learn how to represent them using watercolour paints. Lis will spend the morning taking you step by gentle step learning how to paint petals, leaves, stems and buds, followed by a wander around the garden here at the Craft Garden in Greystoke, after lunch, to find inspiration for your own flower painting.
Mosaics ~ Feathers and Fins ~ with Helen Clues
Spend a lovely and inspiring day with Helen creating some beautiful mosaic pieces, using a combination of vintage broken crockery (known as 'picassiette' in the trade) , coloured glass and ceramic tiles.
Helen admits that Birds and fish are one of her favourite subjects for translation into mosaics. Students will be working with a variety of mosaic materials, using the direct method of creating mosaics for interior display.
There will be a choice of projects and during the session you will learn how to plan your design, choose, cut, shape and assemble your piece. The afternoon will be for grouting and polishing to finish your projects. All materials and fixings for hanging finished pieces are provided. During this session students can choose to make up to two projects. You are welcome to bring any crockery of your own to incorporate into your work.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds - 'The Wren' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Garden Birds . . 'The Wren ' with Helen Hammond
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed Wren using the needle felting process. Your Wren will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features of this little characterful bird.
You will be using a variety of natural wool fibres and Helen will teach you all about needle felting and how to blend your fibre colours. You will be using specialist needle felting needles (not sewing needles) for this purpose. These specialist tools/ needles are designed to entangle, compact, control and shape the soft carded wool fibres into firm felted pieces. It is a slow and very therapeutic process.
All reference images will be provided and will form an important part of your working process. This course is suitable for all abilities including beginners. This is a dry felted process and a 'clean' method of working. No aprons or gloves are required. However, please bring plasters!
Willow Sculptures 'Hens and Cockerels,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
'Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
Material Charges from £20
'Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
Those of you who follow this talented printer selling her amazing pieces on Etsy under the name PollysUtterlyMe may be delighted with the opportunity to print alongside her using some of her sassy blocks!
Spend a day with Polly devising your own meaningful, printed 'piece' from a word, picture, name or letter, to make someone smile! Draw it out, transfer to Lino under Polly's careful guidance and create your own original Lino Cut Print into which you can incorporate Polly's wonderful ready-cut blocks of figures and/ or symbols if you wish. You’ll be working predominantly in black and white, with the option to add splashes of colour, to produce a bold and striking print, or prints - and you can work on a lino block of either A6 or A5, or cut these to any size, or shape, you choose. There'll also be an option to display your lino cut print in a mount to pop into a 10x12" frame, if that's the size you prefer.
Generally working larger is easier; but of course, Polly will advise. You could bring a silhouette of a beloved pet, somthing else iconic and relevant to you, a hobby or sport, a friend's name, or maybe even a food? Anything goes really - come with any ideas you have and Polly will advise how best to create your own piece of original, quirky printwork. For those who lack confidence to draw your own images, Polly will have sample blocks of borders, words, letters and Bun-Head figures which you can use. There will also be materials available to trace fonts or images.
'Hearts of Flowers' in fused glass with Michelle of 'Lakeshore Arts'
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass Flower Heart - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will arrive with her ready prepared heart shapes and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating the lovely flowes and leaves for your piece to assemble together to create your own beautiful floral heart.
You will learn about different types of glass used in fusing work and also about the all important COE (Coefficient of expansion) – vital to understand in glass fusing as it makes sure the right types of glass are used and fuse together. Your finished heart designs will then be taken away and fired and returned to Greystoke. If there is time you maybe be able to make a second heart for additional materials cost tbc). The flower hearts can be collected from here a few weeks later, once they have been fired and fused. Alternatively Michelle can post these directly to your home for approx £5.50
We first saw Michelle's beautiful fused glass pieces at a local farm show and just loved them. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to take some workshops here at Greystoke.
'Hearts of Flowers' in fused glass with Michelle of 'Lakeshore Arts'
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass Flower Heart - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will arrive with her ready prepared heart shapes and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating the lovely flowes and leaves for your piece to assemble together to create your own beautiful floral heart.
You will learn about different types of glass used in fusing work and also about the all important COE (Coefficient of expansion) – vital to understand in glass fusing as it makes sure the right types of glass are used and fuse together. Your finished heart designs will then be taken away and fired and returned to Greystoke. If there is time you maybe be able to make a second heart for additional materials cost tbc). The flower hearts can be collected from here a few weeks later, once they have been fired and fused. Alternatively Michelle can post these directly to your home for approx £5.50
We first saw Michelle's beautiful fused glass pieces at a local farm show and just loved them. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to take some workshops here at Greystoke.
A textured Porcelain Plate or Jug ~ with Cath Ball of 'Stitched Ceramics'
AM workshop Porcelain Plate 10.30am -12.30pm
+/or PM workshop Porcelain Jug 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Choose either the morning or afternoon sessions depending on the piece you wish to make. If both sessions are booked a tasty lunch is included.
We are delighted to welcome talented Cumbrian artist, Cath from Stitched Ceramics offering these two lovely short courses over one day.
You will be using hand building techniques to make your very own beautiful plate, or vase, using gleaming white porcelain clay. Once rolled out using special 'guides', Cath will show you how to add special textures to the surface of the clay using a collection of laces and fabric. If you have any of your own textured fabrics/lace, that you'd like to include, please bring them along.
Your piece will then be carefully tranpsorted to Cath’s studio, based in Thursby, near Carlisle,to be glazed and fired. When complete you can collect your Porcelain from either Thursby, or Greystoke or can choose to have it then posted out at an extra charge (around £6).
We hope you'll love using your special textured Porcelain for many years to come. They are also safe for you to use in the oven or dishwasher.
'Impressionist sketching - light effects in oil pastels' with Roy Simmons
Impressionist sketching; light effects in oil pastel with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
The French impressionists changed art, just about everyone agrees on that. What interests me is how they worked in colour to create those memorable paintings. In your resource pack will be a number of reproductions of impressionist paintings. We will discuss them, and find ways to use the effects and colour designs in our own work. A little Colour theory, a lot of fun! Our first oil pastel painting will be a copy of a Claude Monet painting, I will demonstrate and you will follow along, step by step. We will try to think like Monet! Then we will make paintings based on these techniques, bringing impressionist ideas into our work, initially ‘borrowing’ their light and colour effects. Then using our own design ideas, to make colourful and dramatic paintings.
We will start with a 'loosening up' sketch, this will introduce my way of working. On this course each student will produce at least two paintings (but that is not a rule)!
All materials and instruction provided, you will take home a mounted painting at the end of the day
10.00am – 4.00pm
£78 Lunch included
Material Charges: £5 everything is provided
Willow Sculptures 'Hens and Cockerels,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder
An exciting workshop with this popular tutor, well known for her landscapes and skill at depicting beautiful reflections on water.
Frances will be dealing with colour theories, adjacent and opposite colour designs, and the drama of tonal changes. Light and shade emphasis and how to add that wow factor to your work. Demonstrating in watercolour techniques, the flow and excitement of wet in wet methods, and in acrylic paint the value of texture and richness of overlaying colour. The techniques can be reversed and used to add intensity and drama to each medium.
For beginners I advise a simple range of gouache paints, designers white, primary red, yellow, ultramarine, black, burnt umber and primary blue. Round brushes, small medium and large, a plastic palette. Luxury colours would be green gold, and orange.
Good watercolour paper is fine for acrylic, watercolour, and gouache paints.
This class is suitable for every standard of student from beginner to experienced student. I try to cover or develop what I think will help your individual aims or expertise in this work
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
Discovering Watercolours with Margaret Jarvis
First Steps in Watercolour paints looks in depth at colours, colours mixing techniques washes shading and brush techniques. It is the most useful place to start for those wishing to learn the basics in an enjoyable, thorough day of discovering the world of watercolours. Even those with considerable experience say they learn a lot from this class.
If you are new to painting and would like to start somewhere, we can highly recommend Margaret Jarvis, an outstanding local tutor for Beginners and Improvers in both Watercolours. Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and confirms that you don't need to be able to 'draw' to paint with watercolours. It's all about technique. This course provides a good grounding in watercolour techniques.
Sunday 24 November 2019 Discovering Watercolours & Christmas Cards if wished
Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023
Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Loose Botanicals for Christmas ... with Lyn Evans
Lyn will teach you how to employ loose watercolour techniques, allowing the pigment and water combination to work their own magic without too much interference being necessary. You could also include other tools, such as pens, inktence pencils, watercolour pencils, salt and twigs, to be used along side your paints, to obtain the beautiful effects from the watercolours.
Although Lyn usually likes to paint her watercolours from life, (and you are welcome to bring specimens if freely available) we will be using references photos for this course as well. During the morning, Lyn will teach, step by step, the techniques she employs and builds on for different effects - and although some basic experience of watercolours is preferred, it is by no means essential, especially as the painting style is relaxed and loose. Students will need to provide their own materials as outlined below.
The iconic shapes of winter's Christmas foliage and flowers ... holly, ivy, berries, snowdrops, hellebores and pointsettia - along with their festive colours, make lovely subjects for this festive workshop. Your pieces could later be 'reproduced' (at the local print shop) and used along with 'blank card/ envelope sets' (widely available online) to make some really special hand painted Christmas cards this year.
At the end of the day everyone should have at least one lovely piece of work to take home.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Hand Printed Christmas Cards & Tags in Lino Cut with Sue Rowland
A lovely, festive printmaking day with Sue, suitable for beginners or improvers, learning the basics of cutting and hand printing of your own unique lino design to create an edition of stunning Christmas cards on a selection of different coloured backgrounds and using different inks. Friends and family always love to receive handmade cards and they are fun to make!
You will also have the opportunity to create a range of hand printed gift tags to use on your Christmas presents. You can use your card design for this or if there is time you can cut a new image to use.
You will learn how to plan out your design and transfer this to a piece of lino approx. 15 x 15 cm before learning how to cut your design using lino tools. Sue will demonstrate importance of mark making and texture which you will use first in a sample piece and then in your own design. The close up demonstrations by Sue will be live streamed and projected to a large screen, meaning everyone will be abe to follow instructions from the comfort of their desks with ample spacing.
You will learn hand printing and burnishing techniques so that you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to repeat this process after the course at home if you like the technique. Sue will arrive with many ink colours, so you'll be able to produce both one colour and multicolour designs by varying the inking up. Plus there will be some exciting and festive metallic inks to use as well.
The course will be fun and informative and allow for developing your creative ideas.Please bring along some of your own Nature / Foliage based ideas, 'though don't worry if you're feelng uncreative, Sue will be able to supply some simple templates too.
Please note: People with arthritis in their hands/ arms or severely strained wrists or hands may struggle with cutting the lino and find this course difficult.
Willow Weaving ~ Angels with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating a small Willow Angel
We are so happy that Phil runs several courses here at Greystoke, he has been teaching here since 2005 - his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing. People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. This course is one of the easiest of the Willow weaving courses often yielding the best and most effective results.
Angels are frequently kept in homes all year round nowadays and then for the festive season decorated with fine fairy lights and tinsel to make a wonderful additions to any Christmas room - especially in a fireplace. Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day and by the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to take home and last for many many years to come.
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Quirky Workshops Art, Craft and Heritage Skill Courses. Please fill in as much detail as you can.
Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns is a unique creative venue offering an inspiring range of art, craft and heritage workshops from a C17th listed farmhouse in the pretty village of Greystoke. We're placed 5 miles equidistantly from Penrith, Eden Valley & Ullswater, on the northern fringes of the Lake District, west of Penrith, in beautiful Cumbria, north west England. We have been running around 1440 craft courses each year, since 2005.
During the lockdown of May 2020, we renovated an old hay loft and now host the majority our indoor courses and workshops in this wonderful, new, light, airy and spacious studio - 'the Swallow Barn’ ; although some tutors still prefer the cosy atmosphere and ground floor easy access nature of the original studio, 'Squirrel Barn'. Many of the courses (especially art and calligraphy) feature live streaming of tutor demos onto a large screen at the front, allowing students to watch closely, whilst seated at their desks. This practice was started during Covid but has been continued as very helpful with many workshops.
Please see our website https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria for full details of upcoming courses in date order.
Workshop days are relaxing, friendly and informal. They are delivered by hand picked professional and or expert tutors, many leaders in their chosen fields. Students often travel considerable distances to take part, staying in this lovely village of Greystoke or finding somewhere special close by . . .Keswick, Ullswater, Penrith and the Eden Valley are all within easy driving distance.
One, two or three day courses in:
- stone carving (relief or letter carving), wood carving, bird whittling, spoon carving, willow weaving and rush basket making.
- Lino cut printing, Fused glass, Stained Glass panels and Stained Glass mirrors, Sterling Silver jewellery and Silver Ring making courses, Porcelain plates and vases, and inspiring Mosaics
- Many textile courses including weaving, Needle felting Garden Bird pictures (robin/blue tit/wren) , Herdwick sheep and Pet Portraits, Felt art, Paint Print and Stitch, Felt Slippers, Ecoprinting, Leather Bag making, Learn to Spin and Lampshade Making, 'Hole House' bag making,
- Art courses : Introduction to Pen and Wash , Discovering Watercolours , Botanical and Wildlife illustration, Art courses with John Harrison, Frances Winder, Lyn Evans, Margaret Jarvis, Roy Simmons, Lis Bramwell, Calligraphy with Claire of byMoonandTide (our live streamed onto a large screen is especially useful for this course .. no more struggling to see the tutor demo close up from the back of the group!)
All day courses include tasty homemade lunch, fresh coffees and Aga cream teas. Drinks are served at desks do students may continue working Lunches to be taken at desks or in the garden during summer months.
Our workshop days are popular as gifts for special occasions. Quirky Open Vouchers make perfect and original presents and mean a lovely day can be shared together if preferred. Our Christmas Open vouchers are especially popular.
A full list of our courses can be found at https://www.quirkyworkshops.co.uk/quirky-workshops-cumbria or please phone 017684 83984
We look forward to welcoming you here in Greystoke!
Location
We are in the picturesque village of Greystoke, just 5 miles west of Penrith/Junction 40 of the M6 and a few miles north of the A66 and Ullswater. Keswick is approx 15 minutes further west
Greystoke boasts several B B's, as well as self catering options and has its own website greystokevillage.co.uk We have a playing field, an outdoor heated swimming pool open from June through to August, a Castle, a church, a shop and post office and a cosy pub serving evening meals.
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
'Buildings in the Landscape' using Line and Wash - with John Harrison
Try your hand at “line and wash” – the creation of a pen and ink sketch tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour – with landscape artist John Harrison. You will start the day with an introduction to John’s particular style of line and wash, and the importance he places on drawing and sketching.
John's favoured subject matter features built structures in the wider landscape, exploring the contrast between the man-made and the natural.Largely self-taught, he doesn’t consider himself a painter, but uses the unpredictable yet exciting medium of watercolour to high lght his drawings. He is an active Urban Sketcher, and runs many workshops and classes, details of which are posted on his website. His work is in many private collections both in the UK and internationally, he undertakes commissions both private and corporate and has just come to the end of a year-long monthly feature in the Dalesman.
Suitable for all abilities
'Water and Waves in Pastels' with Roy Simmons
Painting Seascapes and Water in Oil Pastels with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
Join Roy for another enjoyable and relaxed day, experimenting with oil pastels under his enhtusiastic guidance.
They say oil and water do not mix, true, but they can dance together and produce dramatic effects!
After some initial exercises to introduce the materials, I will demonstrate a seascape step by step and you will follow along using the materials provided. It is here we will take full advantage of the oil pastel and white gouache paint to create that watery sparkle. It is rather magical, the oil pastel repels the wet paint and helps make effects that will amaze you!
After this we will produce more paintings using reference photos provided. You will take home several paintings, one will be in a supplied mount.
'Moku hanga' Japanese woodblock printing 'Iconic Landscapes' with Julie Evans
Join Julie Evans for an exciting foray into the art of Mokuhanga, an ancient Japanese printing technique depicting 'Iconic Landscapes'
Discover mokuhanga Japanese woodblock printing (near Ullswater The Lake District) in early October, and how the various textures and tones were achieved by Hokusai, famed for his 'Great Wave off Kanagawa', amongst others. Join Lancaster printmaker, Julie Evans, and print your own 'Iconic Landscape' in this style.
On this busy one day workshop you will learn the basic processes of this ancient traditional Japanese technique that uses only watercolours and rice starch. You will come away with the skills you need to continue exploring and developing at home.
In the morning Julie will guide you through creating a simple 3-5 colour ‘landscape’ of mountains, lake, sky, clouds and perhaps a sun or moon. Templates to the correct size of 16x11 cm will be provided for you to use or adapt. Each element of the design will then be transferred onto the colour blocks - iro-ban ready for carving. You will learn how to cut the registration kentou that ensure each block prints exactly on top of the previous one.
Using a set of woodcutting tools you will outline each area of the design and carve a gully all around it to isolate it from the surrounding wood. If you have any injury or arthritis in your fingers, hands or shoulder you may find this part difficult, but Julie can help you with the carving and the shina-plywood is very soft.
After lunch you will prepare your paints, rice starch and paper ready to begin printing the woodblocks. Julie will show you how to control the paint and pressure of the baren to create different effects. After that you will be free to explore your blocks in whatever way you choose. You will be supplied with a variety of western and Japanese washi papers so that you can see how differently they print. Julie will also be bringing along some of her professional tools and equipment for you to try.
Your woodblock is yours to take home and Julie will show you how you can re-carve areas and add extra elements to your design. She will also demonstrate how you can use a floating kentou to create additional and abstract effects which involve a little less carving.
Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder
An exciting workshop with this popular tutor, well known for her landscapes and skill at depicting beautiful reflections on water.
Frances will be dealing with colour theories, adjacent and opposite colour designs, and the drama of tonal changes. Light and shade emphasis and how to add that wow factor to your work. Demonstrating in watercolour techniques, the flow and excitement of wet in wet methods, and in acrylic paint the value of texture and richness of overlaying colour. The techniques can be reversed and used to add intensity and drama to each medium.
For beginners I advise a simple range of gouache paints, designers white, primary red, yellow, ultramarine, black, burnt umber and primary blue. Round brushes, small medium and large, a plastic palette. Luxury colours would be green gold, and orange.
Good watercolour paper is fine for acrylic, watercolour, and gouache paints.
This class is suitable for every standard of student from beginner to experienced student. I try to cover or develop what I think will help your individual aims or expertise in this work
The Walton Tote ~ Two day Bag Making Workshops with Emma of 'Hole House Bags'
The Walton Tote - 2 days
Fri 4th & Sat 5th Oct 2024
The Walton Tote is an elegant handbag, not too big but not too small, with a handy zipped dividing pocket in the lining and an elegant twist lock closure. It looks perfect made in tweed, but you could also use a heavy weight linen or canvas and the design allows you to play with two different outer fabrics if you'd like.
It's suitable for those with a little bag making experience or adventurous beginner bag makers! As long as you can use your sewing machine, you will be guided carefully through each step.
Botanical Art for the Terrified' with Lis Bramwell
Botanical Art for the Terrified! How to paint beautiful flowers using watercolours, even if you're not sure where to start!
Join Lis on this informal, fun and relaxed day where you will gradually build up your botanical skills and techniques as the day progresses. A perfect course for those with a love of flowers and plants who are keen to learn how to represent them using watercolour paints. Lis will spend the morning taking you step by gentle step learning how to paint petals, leaves, stems and buds, followed by a wander around the garden here at the Craft Garden in Greystoke, after lunch, to find inspiration for your own flower painting.
Mosaics ~ Feathers and Fins ~ with Helen Clues
Spend a lovely and inspiring day with Helen creating some beautiful mosaic pieces, using a combination of vintage broken crockery (known as 'picassiette' in the trade) , coloured glass and ceramic tiles.
Helen admits that Birds and fish are one of her favourite subjects for translation into mosaics. Students will be working with a variety of mosaic materials, using the direct method of creating mosaics for interior display.
There will be a choice of projects and during the session you will learn how to plan your design, choose, cut, shape and assemble your piece. The afternoon will be for grouting and polishing to finish your projects. All materials and fixings for hanging finished pieces are provided. During this session students can choose to make up to two projects. You are welcome to bring any crockery of your own to incorporate into your work.
'Needle Felted Garden Birds - 'The Wren' with Helen Hammond (low relief)
Needle Felted Garden Birds . . 'The Wren ' with Helen Hammond
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed Wren using the needle felting process. Your Wren will have a slightly sculpted low relief appearance, subtly enhancing the natural features of this little characterful bird.
You will be using a variety of natural wool fibres and Helen will teach you all about needle felting and how to blend your fibre colours. You will be using specialist needle felting needles (not sewing needles) for this purpose. These specialist tools/ needles are designed to entangle, compact, control and shape the soft carded wool fibres into firm felted pieces. It is a slow and very therapeutic process.
All reference images will be provided and will form an important part of your working process. This course is suitable for all abilities including beginners. This is a dry felted process and a 'clean' method of working. No aprons or gloves are required. However, please bring plasters!
Willow Sculptures 'Hens and Cockerels,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
'Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
Material Charges from £20
'Quirky Lino Cut Printing' with 'Bun Head'!! aka Polly Marix Evans
Those of you who follow this talented printer selling her amazing pieces on Etsy under the name PollysUtterlyMe may be delighted with the opportunity to print alongside her using some of her sassy blocks!
Spend a day with Polly devising your own meaningful, printed 'piece' from a word, picture, name or letter, to make someone smile! Draw it out, transfer to Lino under Polly's careful guidance and create your own original Lino Cut Print into which you can incorporate Polly's wonderful ready-cut blocks of figures and/ or symbols if you wish. You’ll be working predominantly in black and white, with the option to add splashes of colour, to produce a bold and striking print, or prints - and you can work on a lino block of either A6 or A5, or cut these to any size, or shape, you choose. There'll also be an option to display your lino cut print in a mount to pop into a 10x12" frame, if that's the size you prefer.
Generally working larger is easier; but of course, Polly will advise. You could bring a silhouette of a beloved pet, somthing else iconic and relevant to you, a hobby or sport, a friend's name, or maybe even a food? Anything goes really - come with any ideas you have and Polly will advise how best to create your own piece of original, quirky printwork. For those who lack confidence to draw your own images, Polly will have sample blocks of borders, words, letters and Bun-Head figures which you can use. There will also be materials available to trace fonts or images.
'Hearts of Flowers' in fused glass with Michelle of 'Lakeshore Arts'
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass Flower Heart - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will arrive with her ready prepared heart shapes and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating the lovely flowes and leaves for your piece to assemble together to create your own beautiful floral heart.
You will learn about different types of glass used in fusing work and also about the all important COE (Coefficient of expansion) – vital to understand in glass fusing as it makes sure the right types of glass are used and fuse together. Your finished heart designs will then be taken away and fired and returned to Greystoke. If there is time you maybe be able to make a second heart for additional materials cost tbc). The flower hearts can be collected from here a few weeks later, once they have been fired and fused. Alternatively Michelle can post these directly to your home for approx £5.50
We first saw Michelle's beautiful fused glass pieces at a local farm show and just loved them. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to take some workshops here at Greystoke.
'Hearts of Flowers' in fused glass with Michelle of 'Lakeshore Arts'
Join Michelle and create your own beautiful fused glass Flower Heart - suitable for all abilities.
Michelle will arrive with her ready prepared heart shapes and will talk you through the various design aspects and techniques of creating the lovely flowes and leaves for your piece to assemble together to create your own beautiful floral heart.
You will learn about different types of glass used in fusing work and also about the all important COE (Coefficient of expansion) – vital to understand in glass fusing as it makes sure the right types of glass are used and fuse together. Your finished heart designs will then be taken away and fired and returned to Greystoke. If there is time you maybe be able to make a second heart for additional materials cost tbc). The flower hearts can be collected from here a few weeks later, once they have been fired and fused. Alternatively Michelle can post these directly to your home for approx £5.50
We first saw Michelle's beautiful fused glass pieces at a local farm show and just loved them. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to take some workshops here at Greystoke.
A textured Porcelain Plate or Jug ~ with Cath Ball of 'Stitched Ceramics'
AM workshop Porcelain Plate 10.30am -12.30pm
+/or PM workshop Porcelain Jug 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Choose either the morning or afternoon sessions depending on the piece you wish to make. If both sessions are booked a tasty lunch is included.
We are delighted to welcome talented Cumbrian artist, Cath from Stitched Ceramics offering these two lovely short courses over one day.
You will be using hand building techniques to make your very own beautiful plate, or vase, using gleaming white porcelain clay. Once rolled out using special 'guides', Cath will show you how to add special textures to the surface of the clay using a collection of laces and fabric. If you have any of your own textured fabrics/lace, that you'd like to include, please bring them along.
Your piece will then be carefully tranpsorted to Cath’s studio, based in Thursby, near Carlisle,to be glazed and fired. When complete you can collect your Porcelain from either Thursby, or Greystoke or can choose to have it then posted out at an extra charge (around £6).
We hope you'll love using your special textured Porcelain for many years to come. They are also safe for you to use in the oven or dishwasher.
'Impressionist sketching - light effects in oil pastels' with Roy Simmons
Impressionist sketching; light effects in oil pastel with Roy Simmons ... Beginners and intermediates.
The French impressionists changed art, just about everyone agrees on that. What interests me is how they worked in colour to create those memorable paintings. In your resource pack will be a number of reproductions of impressionist paintings. We will discuss them, and find ways to use the effects and colour designs in our own work. A little Colour theory, a lot of fun! Our first oil pastel painting will be a copy of a Claude Monet painting, I will demonstrate and you will follow along, step by step. We will try to think like Monet! Then we will make paintings based on these techniques, bringing impressionist ideas into our work, initially ‘borrowing’ their light and colour effects. Then using our own design ideas, to make colourful and dramatic paintings.
We will start with a 'loosening up' sketch, this will introduce my way of working. On this course each student will produce at least two paintings (but that is not a rule)!
All materials and instruction provided, you will take home a mounted painting at the end of the day
10.00am – 4.00pm
£78 Lunch included
Material Charges: £5 everything is provided
Willow Sculptures 'Hens and Cockerels,' with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating life size Sculptures
It's always lovely to welcome Phil to Greystoke; he runs several courses here and his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing.
People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. He has been taking his lovely classes at Greystoke since 2005 and they continue to be some of our favourites. These sculptures are suitable for both indoors and out, even if you have had no experience in Willow work, Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day. By the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to adorn home or garden.
2024 Curlews Wed 27 Mar ~ Hares Wed 10 July ~ Hens & Cockerels Thu 10 Oct ~ Deer Wed 13 Nov
Autumn Colours' in mixed media with Frances Winder
An exciting workshop with this popular tutor, well known for her landscapes and skill at depicting beautiful reflections on water.
Frances will be dealing with colour theories, adjacent and opposite colour designs, and the drama of tonal changes. Light and shade emphasis and how to add that wow factor to your work. Demonstrating in watercolour techniques, the flow and excitement of wet in wet methods, and in acrylic paint the value of texture and richness of overlaying colour. The techniques can be reversed and used to add intensity and drama to each medium.
For beginners I advise a simple range of gouache paints, designers white, primary red, yellow, ultramarine, black, burnt umber and primary blue. Round brushes, small medium and large, a plastic palette. Luxury colours would be green gold, and orange.
Good watercolour paper is fine for acrylic, watercolour, and gouache paints.
This class is suitable for every standard of student from beginner to experienced student. I try to cover or develop what I think will help your individual aims or expertise in this work
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
'Gorgeously Swirly Calligraphy in Summer ' with Claire from by Moon and Tide
Join Claire for this friendly and relaxed Calligraphy workshop and learn how to write using this wonderful style of modern Calligraphy to create your own gorgeous cards, gift tags and more! This By Moon & Tide workshops is perfect for absolute beginners as well as those with a little Calligraphy experience - all are welcome!
The workshop will take place in our lovely listed first floor studio, the Swallow Barn, where Claire's every hand movement and flourish will be filmed close up and projected onto a large screen above her, for all to see. This means everyone can enjoy their welcome coffee and biscuit from the comfort of their chairs and take it all in. Of course you can move closer to watch if you prefer!
You’ll have fun getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib in this friendly, relaxed class, from initial scratches and swirls you’ll soon be writing beautiful letters, all in the space of a couple of hours!
By Moon & Tide modern calligraphy workshops are fun, informal sessions, ideal for individuals or for sharing with friends. Please join us if you can – we’d love to help you learn the art of beautiful writing. Everyone will have some personal tuition on the day as well as the opportunity to watch demos and ask questions as you learn.
Discovering Watercolours with Margaret Jarvis
First Steps in Watercolour paints looks in depth at colours, colours mixing techniques washes shading and brush techniques. It is the most useful place to start for those wishing to learn the basics in an enjoyable, thorough day of discovering the world of watercolours. Even those with considerable experience say they learn a lot from this class.
If you are new to painting and would like to start somewhere, we can highly recommend Margaret Jarvis, an outstanding local tutor for Beginners and Improvers in both Watercolours. Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and confirms that you don't need to be able to 'draw' to paint with watercolours. It's all about technique. This course provides a good grounding in watercolour techniques.
Sunday 24 November 2019 Discovering Watercolours & Christmas Cards if wished
Two Day Sterling Silver Jewellery making Course Quirky Workshop
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Sterling Silver Jewellery 2 days with Melinda Scarborough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
10.00am – 4.30pm
£195 Lunch included
Material Charges from approx £25 in 2023
Sterling Silver Jewellery - 3 Silver Rings in a day - with Melinda Scarbrough
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones
On this popular 2-day workshop you will use a variety of equipment to make as many stunning pieces as you can under Melinda's guidance. The number of items you make will vary according to your pace. Melinda brings all the tools and equipment essential for any proper silver jewellery course.
Once people become familiar with the tools the designs start flowing. Your design will be unique; you will learn cutting, forming, doming, soldering, texturing and polishing. You can work at your own pace and make the most your workshop time. All photos are student pieces from our Greystoke workshop.
Loose Botanicals for Christmas ... with Lyn Evans
Lyn will teach you how to employ loose watercolour techniques, allowing the pigment and water combination to work their own magic without too much interference being necessary. You could also include other tools, such as pens, inktence pencils, watercolour pencils, salt and twigs, to be used along side your paints, to obtain the beautiful effects from the watercolours.
Although Lyn usually likes to paint her watercolours from life, (and you are welcome to bring specimens if freely available) we will be using references photos for this course as well. During the morning, Lyn will teach, step by step, the techniques she employs and builds on for different effects - and although some basic experience of watercolours is preferred, it is by no means essential, especially as the painting style is relaxed and loose. Students will need to provide their own materials as outlined below.
The iconic shapes of winter's Christmas foliage and flowers ... holly, ivy, berries, snowdrops, hellebores and pointsettia - along with their festive colours, make lovely subjects for this festive workshop. Your pieces could later be 'reproduced' (at the local print shop) and used along with 'blank card/ envelope sets' (widely available online) to make some really special hand painted Christmas cards this year.
At the end of the day everyone should have at least one lovely piece of work to take home.
Discovering Pen and Wash with Margaret Jarvis
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and Wash'
This medium is also be known as 'Watercolour & Ink'. This day will touch on colour mixing and using watercolours and it combines the subtle variable nature of the watercolour wash with finer detail picked out in black ink pen, allowing the artist different effects in shading and textures. The type of ink pens used - its water solubility and also stippling intensity and textures employed can create a vast range of effects.
Hand Printed Christmas Cards & Tags in Lino Cut with Sue Rowland
A lovely, festive printmaking day with Sue, suitable for beginners or improvers, learning the basics of cutting and hand printing of your own unique lino design to create an edition of stunning Christmas cards on a selection of different coloured backgrounds and using different inks. Friends and family always love to receive handmade cards and they are fun to make!
You will also have the opportunity to create a range of hand printed gift tags to use on your Christmas presents. You can use your card design for this or if there is time you can cut a new image to use.
You will learn how to plan out your design and transfer this to a piece of lino approx. 15 x 15 cm before learning how to cut your design using lino tools. Sue will demonstrate importance of mark making and texture which you will use first in a sample piece and then in your own design. The close up demonstrations by Sue will be live streamed and projected to a large screen, meaning everyone will be abe to follow instructions from the comfort of their desks with ample spacing.
You will learn hand printing and burnishing techniques so that you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to repeat this process after the course at home if you like the technique. Sue will arrive with many ink colours, so you'll be able to produce both one colour and multicolour designs by varying the inking up. Plus there will be some exciting and festive metallic inks to use as well.
The course will be fun and informative and allow for developing your creative ideas.Please bring along some of your own Nature / Foliage based ideas, 'though don't worry if you're feelng uncreative, Sue will be able to supply some simple templates too.
Please note: People with arthritis in their hands/ arms or severely strained wrists or hands may struggle with cutting the lino and find this course difficult.
Willow Weaving ~ Angels with Phil Bradley
A lovely day with Cumbria's Willow master Phil Bradley creating a small Willow Angel
We are so happy that Phil runs several courses here at Greystoke, he has been teaching here since 2005 - his days are always popular, inspirational and relaxing. People find it hard to believe that, by the end the day, they will be taking away their very own willow creation. This course is one of the easiest of the Willow weaving courses often yielding the best and most effective results.
Angels are frequently kept in homes all year round nowadays and then for the festive season decorated with fine fairy lights and tinsel to make a wonderful additions to any Christmas room - especially in a fireplace. Phil will guide you expertly and patiently through the day and by the end of the workshop you will have created something quite unique to take home and last for many many years to come.
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