Workshops
Our Workshops are run by talented and professional artists often following on from a demonstration at a monthly meeting. These workshops offer members the opportunity to work in the style of a well-known artist in a particular genre. Workshops are based on demand and the interest of our members to incorporate new methodology, materials and ideas into their work. Workshops are very popular and numbers are limited in each session, generally to not more than 12 participants.
Programme 2025
Painting to Abstraction - Friday 24th January with Gill Cox in the Pavilion
This workshop was concerened with how to abstract from the physical into an impressionistic painting. It was suitable for beginners as much as for advanced painters. For the report and photographs, see Past Events: Gill Cox Jan 25
Kandinsky, Constable and Coffee Cake - an Introduction to Acrylic Painting
Saturday 15th March from 9.00am to 1.00pm in the Lechlade Memorial Hall
Acrylics with cake!
This workshop was offered at a cost of £25 to include paper and materials. It was facilitated by Zoe Hing and assisted on the day by Robert Marchant and Rosemary Bray. Zoe writes:
Ten very enthusiastic participants (who were not Society members) came along to try painting with acrylics. The thoughts behind offering this opportunity were that visitors who come to our exhibitions and sales often express an interest in learning more about painting. New members who come to our Thursday morning painting group often say they want to use watercolour. They do find this difficult and are unhappy with their work. Most painters will agree that watercolour is the most challenging of all media. On the other hand, in my opinion, acrylic paint is far more forgiving and exciting and therefore a logical starting point!
Using just the three primary colours, the morning began by looking at Kandinsky’s colour mixing exercise and then painting our own. The results were straight away worthy of popping into a frame to display! Then, using a Winsor and Newton painting guide featuring Wilhemina Barns-Graham’s abstract work, the group continued to work on a free loose painting along the same lines.
Finally the participants were given a canvas board and shown 'Rainstorm over the Sea' by John Constable illustrating his strong brush strokes. Using this and other photographs, they produced their own seascapes. Hopefully some participants will have gone home contemplating a new hobby?
Zoe Hing
Using just the three primary colours, the morning began by looking at Kandinsky’s colour mixing exercise and then painting our own. The results were straight away worthy of popping into a frame to display! Then, using a Winsor and Newton painting guide featuring Wilhemina Barns-Graham’s abstract work, the group continued to work on a free loose painting along the same lines.
Finally the participants were given a canvas board and shown 'Rainstorm over the Sea' by John Constable illustrating his strong brush strokes. Using this and other photographs, they produced their own seascapes. Hopefully some participants will have gone home contemplating a new hobby?
Zoe Hing
Participants with their work
Further workshops in 2025 to be confirmed.
If you have an idea for a specific workshop, or are interested in arranging one, please contact the Society - see the Contact page.
Note: Workshops are often over-subscribed. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Members will be given priority.
Previous Workshops in 2024
"Make your Own Concertina Sketchbook" was on Saturday 17th February and led by Polly Woolstone. See the pictures and report: Polly Woolstone Feb 24
Photographs of Polly's recent demonstration can be viewed here
An "In-House Self-Help Day" was held on Friday 22nd March in the Pavilion. Zoe Hing, who organised the day, wrote:
"This will be a simple ‘tutorless’ workshop. We have oodles of talent amongst our members and it could be put to good use! The Thursday Group already help each other with both advice and encouragement - the plan is to build on this in a dedicated day."
For more details see Past Events: Self Help Workshop Mar 24
A "Watercolour Workshop" with Tom Kane at £35 was held on Saturday 5th October in the Pavilion from 10am till 4pm. Past Events: Tom Kane Workshop
A Life Drawing workshop session was held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 19th October led by Brian Britton, cost £35 per person. The workshop was suitable for both experienced members and also members who had never drawn from a model before. Full tuition was given on request. Past Events: Life Drawing Workshop
Previous Workshops in 2023
The first workshop of 2023 was a Life Drawing Day on Sunday 26th March in the Memorial Hall, 9.30am to 4pm, cost £35. Brian Britton was on hand to give full tuition to anyone who needed it. The report and photographs are available here
Rod Craig Watercolour Workshop
Following a recent demonstration by Rod Craig (see Rod Craig March 2023), several members asked for a workshop featuring Rod's vibrant watercolour painting technique. The workshop, in the Pavilion on Friday 29th September, was well attended. See the report and photographs here
Following a recent demonstration by Rod Craig (see Rod Craig March 2023), several members asked for a workshop featuring Rod's vibrant watercolour painting technique. The workshop, in the Pavilion on Friday 29th September, was well attended. See the report and photographs here
Clive Eastland Pastels Workshop
Clive recently gave an inspiring demonstration; see Clive Eastland June 2023. A follow-up workshop took place on Friday 13th October 2023 in the Pavilion, 10.00am to 4pm. The report and photographs are available here
More of Clive's work can be seen on his website.
Clive recently gave an inspiring demonstration; see Clive Eastland June 2023. A follow-up workshop took place on Friday 13th October 2023 in the Pavilion, 10.00am to 4pm. The report and photographs are available here
More of Clive's work can be seen on his website.
Previous Workshops in 2022
The first workshop for almost two years was held on Saturday 15th January 2022 in the Pavilion. Susanna Bailey led a pastels workshop for around twelve members. See Susanna Bailey Workshop for a selection of photographs.
On Saturday 26th March, Roger Jones led a workshop based on his recent demonstration entitled "Reflections, and ‘Reading’ Water". The subject was representing water including movement, reflections, colour and, of course, some of Roger's "tips and tricks". See Roger Jones Workshop for the photographs.
Following a captivating watercolour demonstration on Tuesday 15th March, and by popular request, Jill Smith led a watercolour workshop on Saturday 9th July. See Jill Smith Workshop for a selection of photographs.
Rupert Aker gave a stunning demonstration in June. Around 30 members watched, open mouthed in amazement, as Rupert produced three beautiful paintings, extremely quickly, using a pallet knife, and while talking throughout. Two paintings were immediately sold to members in the audience to take home, still wet! Rupert followed his demonstration with a workshop in August. All places for this workshop were almost immediately filled. The workshop was repeated on 21st October. See the August workshop photographs here and the October photographs and report here