workshops, classes & courses

​Sculpture & mould making
This is a comprehensive and intensive 7 day course, packed with valuable information for all artists. We explore the complete creative arc from working drawings from a live model and three-dimensional composition, to constructing an armature and building your clay sculpture, followed by full technical instruction and supervision for mould making, creating a reusable rubber mould (suitable for plaster or wax casting) and a wax model ready for bronze casting.
Suitable for all levels of experience; max 8 people.
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Next sculpture & mould making workshop:
21st - 27th August 2017 10am-4pm daily
£350 plus £100 materials (tools and materials provided) or 
Drawing & Sculpture only, 21st-23rd August 10am-4pm daily
£150 plus £25 materials (tools and materials provided)

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. 
Suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced artists; max 10 people in each workshop.
£45 per day (materials and tools provided)
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Next printmaking workshops: 
Saturday 10th June 10am-4pm
Saturday 1st July 10am-4pm

​Drawing 
As visual artists, our most valuable studio resource is a library of our own sketchbooks and notebooks. Drawing is a skill that can be learnt, becoming as fluent as reading and writing. Everyone can learn the primary principles of drawing; and given time, refine these skills to become a confident draughtsman. This course of workshops uses effective methods and practical exercises to improve your observation, mark making and composition skills.
Suitable for complete beginners as well as artists refreshing their drawing skills; max 10 people in each workshop.
Next drawing workshop: to be confirmed

Kids Art
These workshops are inventive, informative and fun! Exploring art history and developing creative skills, from colour theory and Pop Art portraits to huge charcoal drawings or small decorative block prints.
Suitable for 6-11 year olds; max 10 children in each workshop.
Next Kids Art workshop: to be confirmed
                 
Workshops places are limited, please contact me to book your place.
​Spoon Carving Workshop with Jill Swan 
(date TBC)

​Learn how to select wood, cleave, use an axe and hook knife, safe knife grips, design and finishing. Go home with your own spoon!
9.30am to 5.30pm, wear old clothes, dress weather appropriate to walk in the forest at Bull Mill.
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​£75, including delicious homemade lunch.
Places are limited to 6 people. To book your place, please contact Olivia Clifton-Bligh using the contact box below, or email ocliftonbligh@gmail.com, 01985 212 716.

Due to sharp tools, this workshop is not child friendly, but under 14's may come if supervised at all times by an adult.

​Jill Swan is a trained sculptor of immense talent, inventiveness and good humour. She works in her forest near Canterbury,  27 acres of deciduous woodland predominantly oak, with beech, chestnut, hornbeam, birch, holly, rowan, alder, whitebeam and hazel, managed for amenity, wildlife and sustainability. 
Jill Swan Spoon Academy ​