Painting is one of those pursuits that you can completely lose yourself in. Time just disappears as you create your own work of art.

 

Three oil painting workshops where you can master the Bob Ross technique and then complete your own masterpiece

 

The ideal opportunity to develop a new passion, whether you are a complete beginner or a keen enthusiast.

 

You will gain patient Bob Ross certified instruction and at the end of your break, walk away having mastered this oil painting technique, even if you have never painted before.

 

We're sure you'll enjoy the chance to surround yourself with like-minded individuals, as you learn to express yourself completely on canvas.

 

As seen on 'The Joy of Painting TV' Bob Ross, an American artist developed a quick and unique wet-on-wet oil painting technique using specially prepared paints and products.

 

Limited places.

Our Art for Leisure Breaks provide you with an experience suitable for all levels of ability, whether you're a complete novice or you'd just like to improve your technique.

One of the key aims of the instructors is for each guest to have produced one completed piece of work to take home with them of a competent standard.

Guests with no previous experience are regularly amazed at the quality of the work they have produced by the end of the break, giving them a real sense of satisfaction and achievement.

Basic equipment will be provided but by all means feel free to bring your own if you wish.

This experience is made up of 3 half day sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings.

Limited places.

Please feel free to bring your own painting materials.

Express yourself on this creative breaks hosted by Mike Taylor, a fully qualified watercolours teacher. He will take you through the basics of drawing and working with watercolours, over two sessions.

At the end of the break you will be able to take a piece of Cricket St. Thomas home with you! The sessions will be held indoors and so work will be predominantly based on still life.

Limited places.

Come along and Learn the art of Calligraphy from our expert Mary Noble.

In a small group over 2 half days, you'll be shown the basics of basic letter formation techniques to assist you in creating beautiful works of calligraphy.

These informative but fun workshops are specially designed to build up confidence and ability.

The word Calligraphy literally means beautiful writing, and is an art form in which patience and attention to detail are more important than artistic talent. That means you don't have to be an "artist" to be good at calligraphy!

Limited places.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to start writing a novel, but isn't sure where to start. It's also for all those already writing but who would like to brush up on their writing skills.

The workshop will be led by international crime and thriller writer, Pauline Rowson, whose Maritime mysteries, Tide of Death, In Cold Daylight, In for The Kill and Deadly Waters, are set on the South Coast.

This is a course designed for people who are probably already writing but want to sharpen their skills and extend their range with a view to being published.

Course tutor Tony Watts has been writing for a living for over 30 years and over the two days he will impart some of that experience - and encourage you to push yourself in new directions.

On Day 1 you’ll be asked to reach into your imagination and develop a series of scenarios - across the different disciplines of short stories, descriptive prose and “comment”: you’ll be focusing on capturing the reader’s attention, taking them on a journey with you and finding your own voice.

On Day 2 the focus is on developing character and distinctive dialogue through the medium of a radio play by writing teams.

There’s a novel inside all of us. And by the time we reach middle age, there’s a life story there too - one that would interest, entertain and inform a great many people… if only we knew how to put the story across. More than that, we owe it to our families and the generations to come to let them know what your life was REALLY like. But how do you start to plan it and write it?

Course tutor Tony Watts has been a writer and journalist for over 30 years and has helped many people to put their lives into words, as well as write other people’s stories for them. Over the two days, in a series of gentle and supportive exercises, he will break down the process into “bite-sized pieces” to encourage anyone, regardless of their previous experience, to write their story.

Join your host Tony Watts - Editor of Mature Times for this experience which takes place on Saturday & Sunday in two main sessions for approximately 5 hours in total (there will be a couple of extra sessions for those who require addiditonal help or information).

Sessions will take participants through an ascending series of projects - from writing press notices and radio advertising copy through to creating short stories and poems (sessions last two and a half hours).

At the end of the weekend the participants should be able to apply the lessons to everything they write - from a wedding speech through to the novel that we all have inside us.

All participants would then be encouraged to go away after the sessions and write their own short story, the best piece (judged by Tony Watts) will then be published in an issue of Mature Times.

The only requirements are pens and pads and refreshments.

These few days will let you try your hand at a host of handicrafts, see what you enjoy most, then go away and enjoy a rewarding new pastime. In 3 workshops over 3 days our experts will guide you through the basics of Cross Stitch, Card Making and Flower Arranging.

All of us have natural artistic abilities – we just need the time and opportunity to discover where our hidden talents lie!

Limited places.

How do you transform a bunch of flowers into a work of art? Find out on one of our breaks.

 

- Workshops to create stunning table decorations, flower arrangements or other floral pieces for you to take home!

 

Flower arranging is a skill that can make a huge difference to the look of your home as well as allowing you to create fabulous arrangements for weddings and other celebrations.

 

Learn trade tips on how to keep arrangements looking at their very best, which plants go together well and which offer the best in colour and scent.

 

Limited places.

Weave some magic at Cricket St. Thomas! Our expert willow weaver Liz Saunders will demonstrate the art of willow sculpturing and then guide you through making your own interesting ornaments, either an obelisk or garden fan.

You will take part in one session over the weekend break and take home your ornament to display in your garden for the spring.

Limited places.

Wood Carving allows us to hew and shape the most natural of all materials. Suitable for all levels of experience, at the end of your break you'll have a carving to take home with you.

 

- Demonstrations, 3 two-hour sessions plus optional afternoon sessions

 

Wood Carving is a craft that allows us to express our creativity and with expert guidance, it is a skill in which we can all quickly make great strides.

 

Our expert will take you through the best way to handle your mallet and the best "gouges" to use for given effects.

 

Please feel free to bring your own workmate and tools.

 

Limited places.

Learn how to create superb, personalised mementoes and gifts for your friends and family.

 

- Either one or two workshops to master pottery painting and decoration

 

You'll find that pottery painting and decoration is much easier when you're guided by our helpful and patient tutor.

 

Starting with a plain white bisque - you can paint on your design using ceramic underglazes and then it will be fired in a kiln. The results, which you'll be taking home with you - will no doubt delight you!

 

Limited places.

Experience the fine art of Candle Making with guidance from our local expert.

 

- Demonstrations to learn the basics, then make your very own candle

 

You will learn about the different types of wicks, waxes and moulds, how to prepare moulds, how to melt and pour wax and finally about different

colouring techniques.

 

By the end of your break you will also be able to take away your works of art to share with your loved ones.

 

Limited places.

Brighten up your bathtime with one of these fun, fragranced fixes!

 

- Create your own soap and bath fizz with guidance from our local expert

 

- Take your goodies home!

 

Make your own soap using different shapes and moulds, fragrances and colours. Plus, you will also create your own bath fizz that really sparkles, using glitter, botanicals, effervescent dust, different colours and shapes.

 

Limited places.

Recycle your paperwork! How much paper do you dispose of in an average month? Here is your chance to use it to make all sorts of paper products.

 

- Do your bit for the environment whilst creating your own decorative stationery

 

During this break you can transform unwanted waste paper into decorative stationery and other paper products that you can treasure, by blending colours, using fragrances and botanical items to decorate sheets of paper.

 

Limited places.

Kite flying is not just for children, in fact its increasing popularity with adults has made it one of the fastest growing pastimes in the world.

 

- Make your own kite and check its airworthiness!

 

Kites have been around for nearly 3,000 years, even leading directly onto the development of one of mankind's greatest inventions, the aeroplane. Find out how the kite has evolved, the ways in which different cultures have adapted kites, how modern materials have made the art so rewarding and how by following some simple rules of aerodynamics anyone can learn how to create and fly kites.

 

Limited places.

Make yourself sparkle by making your own jewellery on our 4-night midweek break.

 

- Our expert will guide you through the basics to create your own piece of jewellery

 

We will escort you to the jewellery district of Brighton where you can spend a couple of hours taking a leisurely stroll around the boutiques.

 

You will then be taught by our local expert, how to make your own pieces of jewellery - you might want to try making a brooch, a bracelet or some earrings perhaps!

 

Limited places.

Wool felt is one of the world's oldest textiles. On this exciting break you will look for design in the inspirational surroundings of Holme Lacy House, which you will translate into stunning handmade felt. By the end of the break you will have made a cushion/wall hanging of your own design and colours.

 

This course is a great introduction to felt making and you will be guided throughout by Marietta who is an experienced and passionate felt maker and qualified tutor.

 

All materials provided and suitable for all abilities.

 

Limited places.

For all budding Milliners, why not come along to our 1 day Hats on Heads experience and make your own unique Fascinator hat for your Day at the Races, a wedding or your very special occasion.

 

Have fun and learn how to make Fascinators and Headpieces with the guidance of Fashion and Accessories Designers Angela and Carol.

 

Learn the craft of Millinery without the use of hat blocks by using free form techniques using Sinamay. Lots of lovely fabrics and materials will be provided for you to use during the Millinery sessions, but please feel free to bring any favourite, beads-ribbons-lace-feathers and fabrics with you.

 

Handcrafted Hat making sessions are suitable for all levels of sewing ability.

Take home with you, your very own unique, Fancy, Frilly, Feathery, Flowery Fascinator Hat ready for your Big Day!

 

Limited places.

Our expert Ronald Swanwick is an enthusiast with a real passion for teaching and a wicked sense of humour.

 

This course is designed around the belief that ‘drawing is a skill, not a gift’ and anyone can learn if they want to. You will be amazed at the progress you will make in understanding how to look at the world around you and turn what you see into an image on the page.

 

Limited places.

Romance is in the air as Valentine's Day is upon us. Learn how to make your own personalised Valentine's cards and table centre piece to put on your table to make your Valentine's night dinner even more special!

 

You will be introduced to a range of decorative techniques, which will include quick and easy methods as well as some more challenging ideas. There will be lots of hints and tips to give your cards the professional finishing touch. All materials will be provided for the day and you will have the use of specialist tools. All you will need to bring is spectacles if you wear them!

 

Flowers are a design on their own, you will simply arrange them to bring out their beauty! Working with highly experienced flower demonstrators you will be shown how to create a stunning display and you'll create your own arrangement to take home with you.

 

Limited places.

Learn the art of balloon modelling, making things from dogs to popeye, also learn the techniques for knot tying etc.

 

Limited places.

You will get to choose a piece of bisque or pottery to paint your own design, turning it into a personal ornament. A qualified instructor will be ready on hand for tips and advice, all equipment will be supplied. Your masterpieces will then be fired, ready for you to collect at the end of your break to take home and show off.

 

Limited places.

Two days spent creating a necklace, bracelet and earings from a selection of colourful or plain beads including some gem stones. An expert will provide a full range for you to chose from and special requests can be catered for. The last day is spent having your nails manicured.

 

Limited places.