workshops, classes & courses
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My workshops and courses are held in Trethake Barn, a converted barn with high ceilings, flagstone floors, underfloor heating, natural light and spot lights.
The studio is set in 7 acres of water meadows and riverside woodland. This rural leafy valley is just 1-mile from the south west coast path. Known as the Cornish Riviera, the coastline is one of Cornwall's best kept secrets, with rocky coves, sandy beaches, dense woodland and an emerald river estuary. Wildflowers, butterflies and birds thrive in the coastal meadows and dolphins, seals and porpoises can be spotted in the clear summer water. |
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Linocut Printmaking
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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. This workshop is available as a 1-day or a 2-day course. In the 1-day workshop, you learn about several different linocut printmaking techniques (monochrome, masking, multi-block), and you design, cut and print your own lino using one of these techniques. In the 2-day workshop, you can complete 2 different linocuts using 2 different linocut techniques, or you can learn a more complex technique (reduction) to complete an edition of linocuts over 2 days. |
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NEXT PRINTMAKING WORKSHOPS:
Thursday 29th May 2025 & Friday 30th May 2025 at Trethake Barn, Cornwall check availability £75 for 1-day workshop 10am-4.30pm £140 for 2-day weekend workshop 10am-4.30pm All materials are included, and tools are provided. Numbers are limited to 5 people in each workshop. Read reviews... |
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Where to stay
- Trethake Barn: lovely large open plan barn, with apex ceilings, flag stone floor and underfloor heating set in 7 acres of water meadows and woodland in a rural river valley. Endless walking opportunities from the garden gate with foot paths, green lanes, bridle paths and coast path. The perfect for Cornish retreat for an artist.
- Yurts Cornwall: idyllic meadow glamping, 18ft Mongolian yurts and converted barn on a family smallholding with wood fired hot tub and sauna, 0.5 mile footpath walk from Trethake along the green lane.
- Trevedda Shepherds Hut: beautiful shepherds hut with wood fired hot tub in 5 acres of woodland, 0.7 miles from Trethake along quiet country lanes
- Lombard Mill: lovely converted mill near picture-perfect Pont Quay, 1.1 mile walk from Trethake along the river footpath
- Pont Pill Farmhouse: picturesque National Trust cottage right on the water at Pont Quay, 1.3 mile walk from Trethake along the river footpath
- The Watch House: tiny off-grid 19th century coast guards cottage in a spectacular setting perched on the cliff overlooking Lantivet Bay 1.4 mile walk from Trethake along quiet lanes and coast path
- Highertown Farm Camping: simple National Trust campsite in the pretty village of Lansallos, 1.8 mile walk from Trethake along quiet lanes and footpaths
Sculpture
Develop and refine your practical and creative sculpture skills, exploring a complete creative arc: from preparatory working drawings and anatomy 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 wax modelling and wire armatures. 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. Once a year, I also run a specialist mould making workshop for lost wax bronze casting.
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WAX SCULPTURE WORKSHOP
The Human Figure: anatomy for artists 2025: date to be confirmed £150: 2-day workshop, 10am-4pm daily with Olivia Clifton-Bligh Numbers are limited to 8 people All sculpture tools and materials are provided. These workshops are designed to be accessible for beginners, and also contain valuable information for experienced practicing artists. Each workshop focuses on a different aspect of the human figure. Workshops can be attended as a one-off or they can be attended as an ongoing course and cumulative study of the human form. In this June workshop we will be working with a female life model and an osteopath to understand the structure of the torso, ribcage and shoulder blades and how to incorporate this knowledge into your finished wax sculpture of a full figure or a torso. |
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Day 1: We begin the day on Saturday by making some preparatory observational sketches from a female life model (no special drawing skills are required for this exercise!) and discussing the proportion of the human body and three dimensional composition taking particular note of the structure and contours of the torso.
Day 2: On Sunday morning, our life model returns with osteopath Daniel Petkoff (M.Ost) to identify the bones, bumps and bulges of the torso and describe the structure of the ribcage, collar bones and shoulder blades. We will discuss how to incorporate this anatomical knowledge into your composition. You'll continue working on your sculpture throughout the afternoon referring to your preparatory drawings and refining the final detail of your sculpture.
This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, from complete beginners to practicing artists. Numbers are limited to 8 participants to ensure plenty of one-to-one tuition. All tools and materials are provided.
£150 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.
Day 2: On Sunday morning, our life model returns with osteopath Daniel Petkoff (M.Ost) to identify the bones, bumps and bulges of the torso and describe the structure of the ribcage, collar bones and shoulder blades. We will discuss how to incorporate this anatomical knowledge into your composition. You'll continue working on your sculpture throughout the afternoon referring to your preparatory drawings and refining the final detail of your sculpture.
This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, from complete beginners to practicing artists. Numbers are limited to 8 participants to ensure plenty of one-to-one tuition. All tools and materials are provided.
£150 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.
Olivia Clifton-Bligh © 2020