workshops, classes & courses

I hold my workshops and courses 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. 
​2019 course dates:
February: Linocut printmaking 
​March: Kiln fired clay sculpture
​April: Linocut printmaking
June: Wax sculpture 
​June: Linocut printmaking
July: Mould making for sculpture
​September: Linocut printmaking
October: Linocut printmaking
November: Linocut printmaking
​details below....
​Join my mailing list to receive early bird information about 2020 workshops and courses as well as details of exhibitions and events:
A BIRD IN HAND, a creative gift for Christmas: 
workshop vouchers are available to order from my studio now.

Choose either a linocut printmaking workshop (one day £50 or two days £90) or an amount of your choice to put towards any of my workshops in 2020 (printmaking or sculpture). 
You can read reviews of my workshops here

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 without distractions!
Next Printmaking Workshop:
Last one this year!
Saturday 23rd November
10am - 4.30pm
3 spaces available
​
£50 for 1-day workshop (materials are included, tools are provided)
Places are limited to 10 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 Courses:
Wax
2020 dates TBC
​​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.
Sculpture:
Mould Making
13th-16th July 2019
10am - 4pm daily at Bull Mill Arts
fully booked 
​
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.
£245 tuition + £80 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.
Workshop places are limited, please contact me to book your place.
Where to stay
Some suggestions for lovely local accommodation: