workshops, classes & courses

My workshops and courses are held in The Old Pottery, a converted barn with high ceilings, white walls and natural light and spot lights. It is one of several studios at Bull Mill Arts, a collection of artists’ workspaces and houses established by Lord Bath on the Longleat Estate.  The old mill house is on the banks of the river Wylye surrounded by water meadows and ancient woodland. It is a secluded and peaceful setting easily accessible from the local market town of Warminster in Wiltshire.
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Covid-19 precautions for all workshops:
  • maximum number of participants in each workshop has been reduced to 8 people.
  • 2 metre distance maintained for seating arrangements.
  • All participants must bring a mask - clear visors will also be provided.
  • Hand sanitiser provided for each table, each entry/exit and bathroom.
  • Weather permitting, doors and windows will remain open.

Linocut Printmaking

Using simple techniques for striking results, these workshops give you all the skills you need for tabletop linocut printmaking. Step by step through the creative printing process, from composing your design to cutting and printing your block, using reduction, multi block or masking techniques for multicoloured or monochrome prints. 
Plenty of reference material is provided to use for inspiration or as templates; of course you may also bring your own preparatory work. Whether you are making a limited edition print series, designing your own card or experimenting with repeat pattern work, this workshop is perfect for complete beginners as well as experienced artists. ​

​​Sometimes people ask 'if I've attended your printmaking workshop before, can I come again?' -
​Yes, of course! People return to the workshop over and over again. Many use the workshop as an opportunity to develop their ideas further or to practice a new technique (e.g multi block, chine colle etc.) Some book both workshops (Saturday and Sunday) in order to complete more complex printing projects (e.g. reduction method). And some return just for the joy of spending a whole day entirely devoted to creative printmaking.
​
NEXT PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP:
Saturday 22nd May 10am-4.30pm
Sunday 23rd May 10am-4.30pm
£65 for 1-day workshop
£120 for 2-day workshop
(materials are included, tools are provided)
​
Places are limited to 8 people in each workshop.
Wear appropriate studio clothes, overalls or aprons.
​Tea/coffee/refreshments are available all day. 
Please bring a packed lunch - weather permitting you may lunch by the river beside the mill or take a walk in the beautiful Southleigh Woods beyond.

Read reviews for this course.
Workshop places are limited, please contact me to book your place.

Sculpture

Develop and refine your practical and creative sculpture skills, exploring a complete creative arc: from preparatory working drawings and observation skills, to the development of a three-dimensional composition, and practical methods for constructing, modelling and finishing your sculpture. My courses focus on sculptural techniques using fired clay, wax modelling, wire armatures, and mould making for lost wax bronze casting. 
NEXT SCULPTURE WORKSHOP: date to be confirmed
Armatures and Wax Modelling 
​2021: dates to be confirmed
​​2-day workshop, 10am-4pm daily at Bull Mill Arts
​with Olivia Clifton-Bligh

For centuries sculptors have used wax as a successful and versatile sculpting material. Wax sculptures are original works of art in their own right or can be used as an intermediary stage in a sculptural process. Your finished wax sculpture may also be used for the next mould making workshop.
​
Day 1: preparatory drawings and observation skills; preparing a three-dimensional composition; constructing an armature.
Day 2: wax modelling on a wire armature.

We will be using a live animal model to practice working drawings and preparatory skills, both in the studio with our lovely resident Lurcher as well as en plein air (weather permitting). You are also very welcome to bring your own preparatory work. 

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to practicing artists. Numbers are limited to 8 participants to ensure plenty of one-to-one tuition. All tools and materials are provided.

£125  for 2-day workshop (materials are included, tools are provided)
Places are limited to 8 people.
Wear appropriate studio clothes, overalls or aprons.
​Tea/coffee/refreshments are available all day. 
Please bring a packed lunch - weather permitting you may lunch by the river beside the mill or take a walk in the beautiful Southleigh Woods beyond.

Read reviews for this course.
Workshop places are limited, please contact me to book your place.
Kiln Fired Clay Sculpture 
​date to be confirmed
3-day workshop, 10am-4pm daily at Bull Mill Arts
​with Vicky Whelpton and Olivia Clifton-Bligh
£240

An exciting opportunity to work with both a sculptor and a potter to explore, develop and refine your practical and creative skills relating to kiln-fired clay sculpture. 

This 3-day course is full of valuable technical information including clay preparation, handling and firing as well as the creative development of three-dimensional composition and practical experience in the construction and modelling of clay sculpture using a fine grogged clay body and slab and coiling building techniques.

We will be using live animal models to practice working drawings and preparatory skills, both in the studio with our lovely resident Lurcher as well as en plein air (weather permitting) with very tame waterfowl and amenable Long Horn rams. However you are also very welcome to bring your own preparatory work to make your final sculpture on any subject you like.

Your finished sculpture will be fired at Vicky’s pottery in the Wylye Valley. A small fee is charged for clay and firing costs (calculated by weight, in the region of £10-£25 depending on the size of your sculpture). You can collect your sculpture after firing from the Whelpton’s pottery in the Wylye Valley or from Olivia’s studio at Bull Mill Arts.
​
This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to practicing artists. Numbers are limited to 10 participants to ensure plenty of one-to-one tuition with the two tutors. All tools and materials are provided.

Day 1: Discussing technical methods of construction suitable for kiln-fired sculpture and preparation of clay.
Considering the value and purpose of working drawings and observation skills in relation to three dimensional composition and working from live models.
Day 2:  working on the construction and modelling of your sculpture.
Day 3: completing the structure and detail of your sculpture.
10am-4pm daily at Bull Mill Arts
£240 
​A small additional fee is charged for clay and firing costs (calculated by weight, in the region of £10-£25 spending on the size of your sculpture)
Places are limited to 10 people. 
Suitable for all levels of experience.
All materials and tools are provided.
Please bring your sketchbook and preferred drawing utensils. You may also bring preparatory work and reference material should you wish. Wear appropriate studio clothes, overalls or aprons.
​Tea/coffee/refreshments are available all day. Please bring a packed lunch - weather permitting you may lunch by the river beside the mill or take a walk in the lovely Southleigh Woods beyond.
Read reviews for this course.
Workshop places are limited, please contact me to book your place.
Mould Making for Sculptors
date to be confirmed
4-day workshop, 10am - 4pm daily at Bull Mill Arts
£360 tuition + £90 materials (materials are supplied, tools are provided)

This is a comprehensive and intensive 4-day course, packed with valuable information for all artists. 
Bring your own sculpture (made in any material e.g. clay, wax, paper mâché) or an object with a maximum dimension of about 30cm (larger objects may be possible - but may have a larger materials fee - contact Olivia for details).
Receive full technical instruction and supervision by an expert foundry man to create a re-usable mould (suitable for casting into e.g. plaster, wax, cement, resin) and a wax copy ready for lost wax bronze casting.
​This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to practicing artists.
​Numbers are limited to 8 participants to ensure plenty of one-to-one tuition.

£360 tuition + £90 materials  for 4-day workshop (materials are supplied, tools are provided)
Places are limited to 8 people.
Wear appropriate studio clothes, overalls or aprons.
​Tea/coffee/refreshments are available all day. 
Please bring a packed lunch - weather permitting you may lunch by the river beside the mill or take a walk in the beautiful Southleigh Woods beyond.

Read reviews for this course.
Workshop places are limited, please contact me to book your place.
Where to stay
Some suggestions for lovely local accommodation:
Olivia Clifton-Bligh © 2020