OLIVIA CLIFTON-BLIGH

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  • portfolio
    • sculpture
    • printmaking
    • in progress
    • publications
  • exhibitions
  • courses
  • news
  • about
  • contact

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. 
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Next course dates:
Spoon Carving:  28th April
Clay Sculpture: 19th-21st May
Linocut printmaking: 9th June
Mould making: September 2018

​details below....
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​Spoon Carving
Saturday 28th April 2018 9.30am - 5.30pm
with Jill Swan at Bull Mill Arts
​£75
1 space left!
Learn how to select wood, cleave, use an axe and hook knife, safe knife grips and cuts, tool selection, design and finishing.
Go home with a spoon of your very own making!

​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 ​​

Saturday 28th April 2018, 9.30am - 5.30pm, at Bull Mill Arts.
Wear old clothes, dress weather appropriate with sturdy footwear to walk in the forest at Bull Mill. 
Weather permitting,  we will be working outside for much of the day - but we can retreat to the workshop with wood stove and kettle if necessary.
Bring a notebook and pen.
All other tools and materials are provided for the workshop, including froe, axe, knives, crook knife and wood.
​
1 space left!
​£75, including delicious homemade lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits.
Places are limited to 6 people.
For enquiries, bookings and info, please contact Olivia Clifton-Bligh, ocliftonbligh@gmail.com, 01985 212 716.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
Due to sharp tools, this workshop is not child friendly and participants must be aged 16 or over. In exceptional circumstances, under 16's may be allowed to attend if supervised at all times by an adult.
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Sculpture
Kiln fired clay sculpture
19th - 21st May 2018 10am - 4pm daily
with Vicky Whelpton and Olivia Clifton-Bligh
​£195

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.

Your 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 £20 spending on the size of your sculpture). You can collect your sculpture after firing from the Whelpton’s pottery or from Olivia’s studio at Bull Mill Arts.
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.
​Vicky Whelpton is a talented and productive potter with over 30 years experience. She uses many different techniques, throwing and hand building, and working in porcelain, earthenware and Raku.
Vicky studied at York University (BA Hons Art, Design & Technology) and trained at Dartington Pottery Workshop Devon (1983-85). She is a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and has an established and successful Pottery in the Wylye Valley Wiltshire.
whelptonceramics.co.uk
 
Olivia Clifton-Bligh is an award winning sculptor with 25 years of professional experience. She uses clay, paper and plaster in the construction and modelling of her sculptures for casting into bronze.
Olivia studied at Goldsmiths’ College (BA Hons Art & Art History 1990-1993) and is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. Her studio is at Bull Mill Arts in Wiltshire and her work is exhibited in London and throughout the UK.
oliviacliftonbligh.com
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Vicky Whelpton and Olivia Clifton-Bligh have collaborated on several projects, including a pit kiln (above) at Bull Mill Arts
BOOK YOUR PLACE
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​19th-21st May 2018 10am-4.30pm daily at Bull Mill Arts
£195 
​A small additional fee is charged for clay and firing costs (calculated by weight, in the region of £20 spending on the size of your sculpture)
Places are limited to 10 people. - currently 5 spaces still available.
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.

Linocut printmaking 
with Olivia Clifton-Bligh
​9th June 2018 10am - 4.30pm
​£45
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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. 
​
Saturday 9th June 2018 10am - 4.30pm

£45 per day (tools and materials are provided)
Places are limited to 10 people in each workshop - currently 4 spaces still available.
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.
BOOK YOUR PLACE


Mould Making

This is a comprehensive and intensive 4 day course, packed with valuable information for all artists. 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:
September 2018 date to be confirmed
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Workshops places are limited, please contact me to book your place.
contact me
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Olivia Clifton-Bligh © 2018
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