Classes for 2026–27

Imagine seeing a Van Gogh as it looked when it was first painted!

Like many artists, Van Gogh used pigments that faded or changed over time — and buying cheaper paints sometimes made this even worse. Scientific research has given us a fascinating glimpse of how vivid his paintings may originally have been.

We'll recreate a Van Gogh painting, or part of one, using colours closer to those he would have seen. It will be a fun way to explore colour, brushwork, and the distinctive style of a true master.

Learn how to create a portrait in watercolour, working step by step with Penny.

These portrait projects will give you the chance to really understand the techniques, materials, and colours involved. Each one will take approximately three sessions, and we'll all work on the same portrait together — so no one will be left wondering what to do next!

Paint a portrait step by step with Penny and discover how to build up the face using acrylic paint. (These examples will not be the subjects on the day.)

We'll explore the atmospheric landscapes of Yorkshire artist Harry Epworth Allen.

His rugged, beautifully observed scenes have much in common with our own landscape. Using our own photographs, we'll investigate his use of shape, colour, and atmosphere before creating work inspired by his distinctive style.

Create an extreme close-up of a face or favourite pet — so close that it fills the entire canvas or sheet of paper.

You can paint or draw in any medium you choose. This dramatic composition avoids many of the usual problems of backgrounds and framing, while helping you produce a bold, lively, and highly personal piece of art.

Explore the mysterious colours, shadows, and atmosphere of a moonlit scene.

We'll look at the work of artists including John Atkinson Grimshaw — described by Whistler as the "Master of Moonlight" — and discover how artists create the illusion of light glowing in darkness.

This project can be completed in any medium.

Oil pastels are often overlooked, but they can produce rich colours, expressive marks, and effects surprisingly similar to an oil painting.

I'll provide some for you to try, although you may decide to purchase your own set. It's worth looking for inexpensive second-hand sets on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

A playful project that can produce some truly lovely and unusual artwork.

I'll provide sheet music for anyone who needs it. You can experiment with different materials: acrylic works particularly well, while coloured pencils are ideal for adding controlled detail. Watercolour can also be used, although it may cause the paper to buckle.

If the weather is kind, we'll meet at The Manse for a lively outdoor painting session.

After making a very quick sketch, we'll move straight into acrylic paint, concentrating on capturing colour, light, and the overall impression of the scene. Working quickly is a wonderful way to loosen up, build confidence, and sharpen your observation skills.

Weather permitting, this will be our first session.

Put down your brushes and discover the wonderfully expressive effects you can create with a palette knife.

I'll provide a body medium to mix with your acrylic colours, giving the paint enough texture for you to spread, scrape, and layer it freely. I also have some palette knives available — if you'd like your own, they're inexpensive, and I'll advise you on what to buy.

Sunsets can seem daunting, particularly for beginners — but the secret is largely in understanding your colours.

We'll explore how to blend glowing skies, create atmosphere, and avoid muddy colour mixes. You can work in either watercolour or acrylic.

Let your imagination run free as you create your own fantasy painting.

We'll seek inspiration from masters of the strange and fantastical — Hieronymus Bosch immediately springs to mind — as well as contemporary fantasy artists. If you'd like to use AI to help inspire your initial ideas, you're welcome to do so.

Your finished artwork might be magical, mysterious, beautiful, or wonderfully bizarre — the world you create is entirely up to you.