Visual Art Workshops

In this two-day workshop we will look at a variety of ways to explore life drawing, examining how to get proportions correct and exploring a variety of ways to 'mark-make' in direct response to the model. You will look at line, tone and a various mediums to create strong drawings. Several exercises will be set to help improve life drawing skills and tutor, Jonathan Shearer, will also demonstrate and provide illustrations of a variety of different techniques and styles of life drawing. Please bring a sketchbook, paper (A2 or larger), charcoal, compressed charcoal, pencils, masking tape, erasers, hairspray (fixative), black ink (optional) and any other drawing materials you may wish to use.  If anyone wants to work in colour you're welcome to bring soft pastels, watercolour or acrylic/oil pain, palette if you prefer.  £145 includes delicious, home-made lunch each day; tea/coffee also provided. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354

The aim of this workshop is to explore the versatility of painting and drawing through the process of mark-making and how to translate our direct response to the landscape to our canvas.  Working directly in the landscape you will explore ways of working in sketchbooks and how to scale-up to bigger canvases outdoors. During the workshop, tutor Jonathan Shearer will demonstrate different techniques and offer as much one-to-one teaching as possible. A small, friendly and informal workshop with the focus on individual development. Participants will be sent a materials list in advance. £115 Includes a delicious, home-made lunch each day. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354

This two-day 'En Plein Air' landscape painting course will give students the opportunity to work on one medium/large painting of the beautiful Cromarty Firth under the tuition of Anna Wimbledon. There will be demonstrations in the use of oil paints and plenty of one-to-one guidance. Participants will be sent a materials list in advance but one 'surface' each will be provided as part of your course fee. £125 includes a delicious, home-made lunch at the Old Brewery each day. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354  

Due to popular demand, we are offering this two-day portrait course with tutor Anna Wimbledon for the third consecutive year.  You will have the opportunity for intensive study under Anna's patient but expert eye, with the aim of producing a 'finished' painting of the portrait model over the two days.  There will be demonstrations and guidance in technique, colour and form with plenty of one-to-one contact. Participants will be sent a materials list prior to the course. £145 includes a delicious, home-made lunch at the Old Brewery each day; tea/coffee provided. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354

During this one-day, experimental workshop explore lino-cut printing using the reduction method (also known as lost-lino) and without using a press. Techniques include the design and transfer of your design onto the lino block then cutting, proof printing and make a small series of 2 – 3 colour prints.  Along the way we will do some associated mono-printing, taking one-off prints directly from your lino block as well as from your working surface. All materials are provided including a mount for your final artwork. This hands-on workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with some experience. £65  Please bring a packed lunch; tea/coffee provided. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354

During this one-day, experimental workshop explore lino-cut printing using the reduction method (also known as lost-lino) and without using a press. Techniques include the design and transfer of your design onto the lino block then cutting, proof printing and make a small series of 2 – 3 colour prints.  Along the way we will do some associated mono-printing, taking one-off prints directly from your lino block as well as from your working surface. All materials are provided including a mount for your final artwork. This hands-on workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with some experience. £65  Please bring a packed lunch; tea/coffee provided. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354

Using the same techniques and materials as the scribes that made the Book of Kells, this two-day workshop will involve working on real parchment and mixing traditional pigments to create a work of art inspired by the original insular manuscripts with the help of scribe, illuminator and parchment maker, Thomas Keyes. Following on from years of research into insular parchment and pigment making techniques and working with leading experts at Trinity college Dublin and the University of Cork this workshop will run in conjunction with Thomas’s Insular Research Residency at Groam House Museum. The residency will involve the creation of a replica 8th Century gospel book and the supporting scribes toolkit that would have been at Rosemarkie in its monastic phase. This course will involve getting as close to the world of the insular scribe as it’s possible to get and in so doing gain a deeper appreciation of Celtic insular art. It’s suitable for anyone with an interest in Celtic art or broadening their range of creative skills.  No experience necessary. £135 includes delicious, home-made lunch each day at the Old Brewery; tea/coffee provided. To book your place, request a booking form by email or tel 01381 600354