Studio Classes

NOW AT TWO VENUES

YORKSHIRE VENUE at Kirkheaton Library, Huddersfield - FULL DAY £45

GREATER MANCHESTER VENUE at St Martin's Church Hall, Marple - HALF A DAY £30

Please scroll down to see the dates and details of individual sessions

WATERCOLOUR

Have you been mystified by the magic of watercolour and often felt it is too unreachable to be explored on your own? Join one of the DAY and HALF DAY courses and discover your passion for colour, develop truly unique brush marks and enjoy an amazing feeling of painting in this awe-inspiring medium! 

Each session will start from the specially designed exercises to support your learning, leading to independent practical work. There will be ongoing referencing to inspiring practitioners and a discussion of their methods. Reference material and handouts will provided for visual support.

These sessions will be very informative and should benefit painters with little or extensive experience. If you are new to painting, all the materials and equipment will be explained during the first session. 

Equipment you will need:

paper for trying the colours/ colour mixing samples, watercolour paper Bockingford 140Ilb (300gsm) A3/ A2 metric size or 11” x 15”/ 22” x 30” Imperial size 350gsm, a board, a range of watercolour brushes, including a mop brush if possible, watercolour paints (Julia will be using St Petersburg White Nights blocks, they are her favourite), palette or big white plate, water pot, kitchen towel, pencil, eraser.  

Equipment you will need:

• drawing board can be provided for free, please let me know if you would like to borrow one.  
• paper for trying the colours and colour mixing samples and 1-2 watercolour paper Bockingford 140Ilb (300gsm) 11” x 15”/ 22” x 30” Imperial size. 

  Both Rough and NOT paper are good (Hot Press - it is very smooth - its better for botanical illustrations), the other two are better for landscapes.

  OR watercolour paper in metric size 350gsm A3/ A2 (for example Art Discount do their own make of paper, which is pretty good too and much more affordable);

• a range of watercolour brushes, including a mop brush if possible (Julia uses Jackson's squirrel mop brush size 11 or larger, other makes will have different sizing), flat and round synthetic watercolour brushes, large wash brush;
• watercolour paints - Julia loves her St Petersburg White Nights blocks, they are her favourite;
• pencil, eraser;
• kitchen towel;
• masking tape;
• water pot;
• plastic palette or big white plate.

Free parking. Free teas and coffees through the day, just bring your own lunch for the full day classes.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations are subject to a one off £20.00 administration charge to cover processing costs, website booking fees, and card payment fees. For cancellations within one week of the course date, no refunds can be given. In the unlikely event of a course being cancelled, moved or rearranged you will be offered a refund of your payment or an alternative course. The organiser will not be held responsible for any extra costs arising out of the cancellation of a course.

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NEW VENUE at St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

15 Brabyns Brow, Marple Bridge, Marple, Stockport SK6 5DT 

(£30 per class / OR £40 with materials provided)

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3 Oct 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Exploring tone and depth in painting. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

You will do a number of monochromatic exercises practising washes, lifting, scratching and blending, before painting 1-2 studies of Coastal Mountains/ Mountain Path.

Special equipment for the session: Indigo (alternatively you can use Payne's Gray or blue and black), sponge, palette knife, kitchen towel/ tissues, A4 or A3 paper.

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31 Oct 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Turner’s use of warm and cool colours. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

You will do a number of colour experiments, exploring colour mixing, colour contrasts, create soft and sharp edges, test painting with use of line and dry pigment. You will then create a study of a Scottish Loch.
Special equipment for the session: watercolour crayons, wooden wedges, A4 or A3 paper.

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7 Nov 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Creative approach to painting trees and building a strong composition. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

You will experiment with various brushes to achieve accidental dynamic strokes. You will then create various studies on trees.

Special equipment for the session: various brush sizes, flat brushes, Chinese brush, wooden wedges, palette knife, A3 or A4 Drawing (normal) paper – for experiments and samples, A3 Watercolour paper.

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21 Nov 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Painting an atmospheric Mountain Landscape with a sponge. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

You will experiment with a sponge and practice to lift, smudge, blend and apply whispery strokes. You will then create a study from a Mountain Valley above or from your own photograph.
Special equipment for the session: sponge, palette knife, A3 Drawing (normal) paper – for experiments and samples, A3 Watercolour paper.

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28 Nov 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Watercolour and Ink - Festive town. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

You will experiment with washes, glazes and ink line to create your own festive town! Samples and supportive ideas will be given to work from. You can then create your own 1-2 designs of a Festive Town or Your House.

Special equipment for the session: black ink and ink pen, as well as white acrylic paint will be provided for this class.

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2 Dec 2025 (TUESDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Christmas theme - winter birds. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

Embrace the magic of the season and learn how to paint wintery scene with birds and pine.

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9 Dec 2025 (TUESDAY, 10.00 -12.30) - Winter Wonderland - painting in watercolour with gouache touches. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

Celebrate the season by capturing the festive spirit in your watercolour with a wintery, Christmas-inspired theme to enjoy and share.

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YORKSHIRE VENUE at Kirkheaton Library

Fields Rise, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield HD5 0LZ

(£45 per class / OR £57 with materials provided)

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10 Oct 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00 -15.00) - Creative approach to painting trees and Composition. Kirkheaton Library near Huddersfield

You will experiment with various brushes to achieve accidental dynamic strokes. You will then create various studies on trees.

Special equipment for the session: various brush sizes, flat brushes, Chinese brush, wooden wedges, palette knife, A3 or A4 Drawing (normal) paper – for experiments and samples, A3 Watercolour paper.

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5 Dec 2025 (FRIDAY, 10.00 -15.00) - Festive York - painting in watercolour with gouache touches. Kirkheaton Library near Huddersfield

Celebrate the season by capturing the festive spirit in your watercolour with a wintery, Christmas-inspired theme to enjoy and share.

Special equipment: white gouache or acrylic paint.

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