Studio Classes

GREATER MANCHESTER VENUE at St Martin's Church Hall, Marple  

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 

Full day £45 per class / OR £57 with materials provided

1/2 day £30 per class / OR £40 with materials provided

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HALF DAY, 9 Jan 2026 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Northern Lights - Painting with a Sponge -painting in watercolour. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

Embrace the magic of the season and learn how to paint wintery scene of Northern Lights.

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FULL DAY, 6 Feb 2026 (FRIDAY, 10.00 -15.00) - Beyond the Traditional Watercolour - Chinese Brush Painting - painting in watercolour. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

Celebrate Chinese New Year and immerse yourself in the beautiful oriental art of Chinese Brush Painting with its sweeping lines and haunting, fragile style, this ancient oriental art form is a fantastic subject of study and new approaches to your watercolour painting. 

Rice paper, ink and Chinese Brushes are provided, just bring your watercolour paints.

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1/2 DAY, 6 Mar 2026 (FRIDAY, 10.00-12.30) - Watercolour and Ink - painting in watercolour. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

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FULL DAY, 10 April 2026 (FRIDAY, 10.00 -15.00) - Explore Techniques on Painting Trees - painting in watercolour and white acrylic. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

Explore experimental techniques and methods by Anne Blockley. Trees painted in the easy, spontaneous way!

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FULL DAY, 8 May 2026 (FRIDAY, 10.00 -15.00) - Explore Techniques of using Oil Pastels and Palette knife with Watercolour. St Martin's Church Hall, Marple Bridge

Oil pastels and palette knives are provided, just bring your watercolour paints.

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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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