Past Workshops and Courses Archive
I have carried out a wide range of workshops working with schools, charities, children's clubs, adult groups such as the WI and art clubs. If you are a community service provider, education group or interested in a workshop, demonstration, artist led project or private or group tuition please feel free to get in contact. This page will provide you with some examples of past workshops that I have carried out.
Here is a list of some of my past courses, projects or workshops:
Drawing Garden Birds
Learn to draw common UK garden birds such as the Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Starling. Take a look at anatomy and wing structure, making gesture drawings, capturing character and complete a detailed coloured pencil drawing. This will be a fun weekly class exploring pencil and coloured pencil drawing techniques for birds with demonstrations and tuition from artist and tutor Bethany Milam. At the end of each session there will be an optional extra 15mins for one-to-one feedback to be given. Suitable for beginners and intermediates. Work from reference photos and videos provided by the tutor or use your own references.
Drawing Trees
In this short course we will explore different approaches to drawing trees, focusing on observational drawing with the aim to make your tree drawings look more natural and realistic. You will learn to draw a variety of tree species, both at distance and close up, looking at structure, shape, mark-making, leaves, bark, lights and shadows and more! Participants will learn a wide range of drawing techniques with demonstrations and tuition from artist and tutor Bethany Milam. We will begin with pencil techniques and move on to working in pen with the option to add a colour wash. Drawing trees can be really relaxing and with some basic skills and knowledge they are an enjoyable subject for all abilities.
Chat and Sketch
This interactive session will start with a short talk introducing you to the painting ‘The Milkmaid’ by Johannes Vermeer, there will then be an open discussion and time to ask questions about the artwork. Throughout the session there will be drawing exercises led by the tutor to help you explore the painting by creating your own sketches. This will be a friendly and informal event where you can chat about art as you enjoy sketching together. If you would like to show your drawings at the end of the session, there will be time to do this although there is no pressure to do so. The session will last approximately one and a half hours.
Drawing and Painting Animals
This course will cover the main elements involved in depicting animals. Suitable for all, whether you are a beginner eager to create a portrait of a family pet or favourite wild animal or are a budding wildlife artist looking for tips on how to improve their animal drawings and paintings! The course will start by focusing on drawing and then students will have the option to move onto painting with watercolour or pen and wash, continuing with pencil or using another media that they already have experience with. This will be discussed at the first lesson.
Drawing and Painting Portraits
This course will cover the main elements involved in portrait drawing and painting, sketching from observation, basic anatomy and proportions, mixing skin tones. All abilities are welcome from complete beginners to those looking for tips on how to improve their portrait paintings. The lessons will involve demonstrations you can paint along to as well as experimental colour, technique and anatomy studies. You will be able to work from photographs, or use a mirror for self-portraits. At the end of each session there will be some limited time for one-to-one feedback to be given.
Painting with Watercolours
This is an exciting online course which will introduce you to watercolour painting and line and wash techniques. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will work towards developing a range of paintings and studies. The lessons will involve demonstrations you can paint along to as well as experimental colour, technique and texture studies. You will be able to work from photographs provided by the tutor. At the end of each session there will be some limited time for one-to-one feedback to be given.
Painting with Acrylics
This is an exciting online course which will introduce you to acrylic painting. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will work towards developing a range of paintings and studies. The lessons will involve demonstrations you can paint along to as well as experimental colour, technique and texture studies. You will be able to work from photographs provided by the tutor. At the end of each session there will be some limited time for one-to-one feedback to be given.
School Mural Workshops
A project working with children aged 4 - 7 to create a collaborative artwork for their new entrance lobby. The brief was to create something that embodied the six core school values and was themed around owls; the school logo. The artwork was to consist of six owls arranged around a central tree. I choose the tree motif for its connotations with growing, reaching upwards, and shelter. The tree has six main branches; on which the six school values will be written. The owls are to be arranged so that their backgrounds go from night to day leading towards the tree. The ambitious project was to be collaborative and involve every pupil in the school, through a day of nine, thirty minute workshops, not a lot of time! So the activities had to be kept simple. It was important that all the children were able to engage with the activity including those with SEN. My plan for the workshops was to get the children to use a range of mark making techniques, in oil pastel and paint, using resist, s’grafitto, rubbings and oil pastel Monoprints. Each class would create textures and mark making based on observation from photos of the owl species their class was named after. The other three classes would create textures for the tree and backgrounds. I would then take the children’s work and collage it together into the final design. This way all the children in the school would contribute some artwork for the mural. Part of the aim for this project was that the children would get to meet and work with a real artist, rather than just looking at those from the past and thereby see ‘artist’ and other arts careers as something tangible and achievable.
Printmaking
An Introduction to drypoint and monotype printmaking methods with an emphasis on experimentation. Drypoint is an intaglio process similar to etching but the image is scratched directly onto the plate by hand. The resulting line is much softer than an etching. Great for those who love to draw! Enjoy using a range of different drypoint tools to create images rich in varied mark making. A monotype is a one-off print. Ink is rolled, brushed or splattered onto a surface and the paper is laid on this to take a print. You can take successive fainter prints from the same plate or work into them to create a series of prints. Monoprinting is suitable for a more painterly approach and has a wide range of possibilities.
Introduction to Chinese Brush painting
Animal Portrait Workshop
An introduction to anatomy and proportions. How to draw fur and texture in graphite pencil. Realistic animal eyes, nose and ears, capturing character and expression.
Printmaking Workshops
An Introduction to drypoint and monotype printmaking methods with an emphasis on experimentation. Drypoint is an intaglio process similar to etching but the image is scratched directly onto the plate by hand. The resulting line is much softer than an etching. Great for those who love to draw! Enjoy using a range of different drypoint tools to create images rich in varied mark making. A monotype is a one-off print. Ink is rolled, brushed or splattered onto a surface and the paper is laid on this to take a print. You can take successive fainter prints from the same plate or work into them to create a series of prints. Monoprinting is suitable for a more painterly approach and has a wide range of possibilities.
Experimental Watercolours
Loosen up your paintings with a variety of techniques; including energy washes, s'grafitto and the use of clingfilm, salt and other media to add different textures to your watercolour washes.
Kingsclere Women's Institute talk and workshop on 'Regaining Your Innate Creativity'. After my talk I introduced some practical activities using wet on wet watercolour washes, Clingfilm and salt, then encouraged the ladies to explore a range of dry media while the watercolour was dying. The colourful paintings could then be cut out into shapes and stuck onto larger paper in a new design. Throughout the activity I encouraged the ladies to play and explore, experiment, try new things and take risks. I asked them not to worry about the end product but to approach the activity with a sense of freedom and not worry about being judged. Lots of fun was had by all and hopefully I have inspired the ladies to be more creative.
Beginners Acrylics
A fun introduction to acrylic painting techniques for beginners. This course is designed to introduce beginners and those looking to improve their skills to a variety of acrylic painting techniques. The course will include demonstrations and individual guidance with an emphasis on experimentation and lots of hands on practical exercises.
Egg Tempera Painting Workshop
Learn the ancient technique of egg tempera painting and how to make the paint from scratch. Participants will learn how to make paints from pigment and egg yolk and will create their own egg tempera paintings on gesso board, using the traditional painting techniques of cross hatching and glazing that were applied by the old masters.
Portrait Drawing Workshop
This course will introduce you to the basics of portrait drawing using pencil, graphite and charcoal. You will learn about facial proportions and explore drawing techniques. Concentrating on line, mark-making and tone you will produce a range of quick drawings and a longer study. You can choose to work from photographs or use a mirror to create a self portrait.
Introduction to Soft Pastels Workshop
This workshop is designed to introduce beginners to a variety of pastel techniques. During the workshop learners will cover: gestural line, blocking in, hatching and cross-hatching, blending, scumbling, dusting and optical mixing. There will also be chance to explore; tone, texture, composition and colour. Working from still lifes and photographs you will create a number of experimental studies and longer drawings that combine techniques.
Art Appreciation Course
On this course you will:
• Explore a different theme each week from portraits to landscapes, narrative art to animals.
• Find out about masterpieces, the stories behind them and why they are considered important artworks.
• Learn about media, techniques, colour and composition.
• Compare paintings from different eras and styles.
Getting Started in Art
This course is for complete beginners or anyone wanting to get started in a new medium. Bring along your own materials and learn the basic techniques, advice on suitable surfaces and tools. You will receive one to one advice and tuition and be guided in creating experimental studies followed by a drawing/painting from a still life or photograph, combining a variety of the techniques you have learnt. Please bring your own materials to use during the session, paper is available to purchase from the tutor, an apron is also suggested for most mediums.
Pen and Ink Workshop
The workshop will involve demonstrations of pen and ink techniques followed by practical exercises and the opportunity to experiment as well as looking at examples by well known artists. During the workshop learners will cover: line, hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, textural mark-making and tonal washes. These techniques will be combined to make a drawing from a still life that focuses on tone and texture. This workshop is suitable for beginners. Please bring an apron or wear old clothes.
Creative Drawing Workshop
You will be guided through a range of drawing exercises working from a still life, exploring line, mark-making and tone. You will progress from quick sketches to longer studies in pencil, charcoal and mixed media. You will be encouraged to expand your mark-making vocabulary and to loosen up by exploring drawing in different ways, while improving your observational skills.
Developing Your Creative Drawing Skills
This is an exciting course which will help you to develop your drawing skills. There is an emphasis on experimenting with different techniques and media. Students will create a range of experimental sketches and finished works.
Painting With Mixed Media
This is an exciting course which will introduce you to different media and painting techniques. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will create a range of studies, experimental trials and finished works. You will work from subjects including still life and self portraits to be discussed with the tutor.
Watercolour for Beginners
This course will teach you the basics of watercolour painting and introduce you to more experimental painting methods. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques to produce paintings. You will create a range of studies, experimental trials and finished works.
Maplin Children's Art and Craft week
Altered Book Art (Children's Project)
This project involved designing and creating two altered book artworks, using a variety of media and techniques. The use of a book introduces artworks based on a narrative. The stories chosen have included a favourite book, stories written by the students and non-fiction events. The first book made use of wire modelling and paper mâché giving the impression that the story was exploding or growing out from the book. The second book was altered by cutting into it, collaging, deconstructing, drawing, painting, weaving, sewing, felting or folding.
'The Making' World Arts Day, Basingstoke
Drawing Garden Birds
Learn to draw common UK garden birds such as the Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Starling. Take a look at anatomy and wing structure, making gesture drawings, capturing character and complete a detailed coloured pencil drawing. This will be a fun weekly class exploring pencil and coloured pencil drawing techniques for birds with demonstrations and tuition from artist and tutor Bethany Milam. At the end of each session there will be an optional extra 15mins for one-to-one feedback to be given. Suitable for beginners and intermediates. Work from reference photos and videos provided by the tutor or use your own references.
Drawing Trees
In this short course we will explore different approaches to drawing trees, focusing on observational drawing with the aim to make your tree drawings look more natural and realistic. You will learn to draw a variety of tree species, both at distance and close up, looking at structure, shape, mark-making, leaves, bark, lights and shadows and more! Participants will learn a wide range of drawing techniques with demonstrations and tuition from artist and tutor Bethany Milam. We will begin with pencil techniques and move on to working in pen with the option to add a colour wash. Drawing trees can be really relaxing and with some basic skills and knowledge they are an enjoyable subject for all abilities.
Chat and Sketch
This interactive session will start with a short talk introducing you to the painting ‘The Milkmaid’ by Johannes Vermeer, there will then be an open discussion and time to ask questions about the artwork. Throughout the session there will be drawing exercises led by the tutor to help you explore the painting by creating your own sketches. This will be a friendly and informal event where you can chat about art as you enjoy sketching together. If you would like to show your drawings at the end of the session, there will be time to do this although there is no pressure to do so. The session will last approximately one and a half hours.
Drawing and Painting Animals
This course will cover the main elements involved in depicting animals. Suitable for all, whether you are a beginner eager to create a portrait of a family pet or favourite wild animal or are a budding wildlife artist looking for tips on how to improve their animal drawings and paintings! The course will start by focusing on drawing and then students will have the option to move onto painting with watercolour or pen and wash, continuing with pencil or using another media that they already have experience with. This will be discussed at the first lesson.
Drawing and Painting Portraits
This course will cover the main elements involved in portrait drawing and painting, sketching from observation, basic anatomy and proportions, mixing skin tones. All abilities are welcome from complete beginners to those looking for tips on how to improve their portrait paintings. The lessons will involve demonstrations you can paint along to as well as experimental colour, technique and anatomy studies. You will be able to work from photographs, or use a mirror for self-portraits. At the end of each session there will be some limited time for one-to-one feedback to be given.
Painting with Watercolours
This is an exciting online course which will introduce you to watercolour painting and line and wash techniques. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will work towards developing a range of paintings and studies. The lessons will involve demonstrations you can paint along to as well as experimental colour, technique and texture studies. You will be able to work from photographs provided by the tutor. At the end of each session there will be some limited time for one-to-one feedback to be given.
Painting with Acrylics
This is an exciting online course which will introduce you to acrylic painting. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will work towards developing a range of paintings and studies. The lessons will involve demonstrations you can paint along to as well as experimental colour, technique and texture studies. You will be able to work from photographs provided by the tutor. At the end of each session there will be some limited time for one-to-one feedback to be given.
School Mural Workshops
A project working with children aged 4 - 7 to create a collaborative artwork for their new entrance lobby. The brief was to create something that embodied the six core school values and was themed around owls; the school logo. The artwork was to consist of six owls arranged around a central tree. I choose the tree motif for its connotations with growing, reaching upwards, and shelter. The tree has six main branches; on which the six school values will be written. The owls are to be arranged so that their backgrounds go from night to day leading towards the tree. The ambitious project was to be collaborative and involve every pupil in the school, through a day of nine, thirty minute workshops, not a lot of time! So the activities had to be kept simple. It was important that all the children were able to engage with the activity including those with SEN. My plan for the workshops was to get the children to use a range of mark making techniques, in oil pastel and paint, using resist, s’grafitto, rubbings and oil pastel Monoprints. Each class would create textures and mark making based on observation from photos of the owl species their class was named after. The other three classes would create textures for the tree and backgrounds. I would then take the children’s work and collage it together into the final design. This way all the children in the school would contribute some artwork for the mural. Part of the aim for this project was that the children would get to meet and work with a real artist, rather than just looking at those from the past and thereby see ‘artist’ and other arts careers as something tangible and achievable.
Printmaking
An Introduction to drypoint and monotype printmaking methods with an emphasis on experimentation. Drypoint is an intaglio process similar to etching but the image is scratched directly onto the plate by hand. The resulting line is much softer than an etching. Great for those who love to draw! Enjoy using a range of different drypoint tools to create images rich in varied mark making. A monotype is a one-off print. Ink is rolled, brushed or splattered onto a surface and the paper is laid on this to take a print. You can take successive fainter prints from the same plate or work into them to create a series of prints. Monoprinting is suitable for a more painterly approach and has a wide range of possibilities.
Printmaking Workshop
Printmaking Workshop
Printmaking Workshop
Introduction to Chinese Brush painting
Introduction to Chinese Painting
Animal Portrait Workshop
An introduction to anatomy and proportions. How to draw fur and texture in graphite pencil. Realistic animal eyes, nose and ears, capturing character and expression.
Printmaking Workshops
An Introduction to drypoint and monotype printmaking methods with an emphasis on experimentation. Drypoint is an intaglio process similar to etching but the image is scratched directly onto the plate by hand. The resulting line is much softer than an etching. Great for those who love to draw! Enjoy using a range of different drypoint tools to create images rich in varied mark making. A monotype is a one-off print. Ink is rolled, brushed or splattered onto a surface and the paper is laid on this to take a print. You can take successive fainter prints from the same plate or work into them to create a series of prints. Monoprinting is suitable for a more painterly approach and has a wide range of possibilities.
Experimental Watercolours
Loosen up your paintings with a variety of techniques; including energy washes, s'grafitto and the use of clingfilm, salt and other media to add different textures to your watercolour washes.
Experimental Watercolours Workshop with Overton Art Group
Kingsclere Women's Institute talk and workshop on 'Regaining Your Innate Creativity'. After my talk I introduced some practical activities using wet on wet watercolour washes, Clingfilm and salt, then encouraged the ladies to explore a range of dry media while the watercolour was dying. The colourful paintings could then be cut out into shapes and stuck onto larger paper in a new design. Throughout the activity I encouraged the ladies to play and explore, experiment, try new things and take risks. I asked them not to worry about the end product but to approach the activity with a sense of freedom and not worry about being judged. Lots of fun was had by all and hopefully I have inspired the ladies to be more creative.
Beginners Acrylics
A fun introduction to acrylic painting techniques for beginners. This course is designed to introduce beginners and those looking to improve their skills to a variety of acrylic painting techniques. The course will include demonstrations and individual guidance with an emphasis on experimentation and lots of hands on practical exercises.
Egg Tempera Painting Workshop
Learn the ancient technique of egg tempera painting and how to make the paint from scratch. Participants will learn how to make paints from pigment and egg yolk and will create their own egg tempera paintings on gesso board, using the traditional painting techniques of cross hatching and glazing that were applied by the old masters.
Portrait Drawing Workshop
This course will introduce you to the basics of portrait drawing using pencil, graphite and charcoal. You will learn about facial proportions and explore drawing techniques. Concentrating on line, mark-making and tone you will produce a range of quick drawings and a longer study. You can choose to work from photographs or use a mirror to create a self portrait.
Introduction to Soft Pastels Workshop
This workshop is designed to introduce beginners to a variety of pastel techniques. During the workshop learners will cover: gestural line, blocking in, hatching and cross-hatching, blending, scumbling, dusting and optical mixing. There will also be chance to explore; tone, texture, composition and colour. Working from still lifes and photographs you will create a number of experimental studies and longer drawings that combine techniques.
Art Appreciation Course
On this course you will:
• Explore a different theme each week from portraits to landscapes, narrative art to animals.
• Find out about masterpieces, the stories behind them and why they are considered important artworks.
• Learn about media, techniques, colour and composition.
• Compare paintings from different eras and styles.
Getting Started in Art
This course is for complete beginners or anyone wanting to get started in a new medium. Bring along your own materials and learn the basic techniques, advice on suitable surfaces and tools. You will receive one to one advice and tuition and be guided in creating experimental studies followed by a drawing/painting from a still life or photograph, combining a variety of the techniques you have learnt. Please bring your own materials to use during the session, paper is available to purchase from the tutor, an apron is also suggested for most mediums.
Pen and Ink Workshop
The workshop will involve demonstrations of pen and ink techniques followed by practical exercises and the opportunity to experiment as well as looking at examples by well known artists. During the workshop learners will cover: line, hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, textural mark-making and tonal washes. These techniques will be combined to make a drawing from a still life that focuses on tone and texture. This workshop is suitable for beginners. Please bring an apron or wear old clothes.
Creative Drawing Workshop
You will be guided through a range of drawing exercises working from a still life, exploring line, mark-making and tone. You will progress from quick sketches to longer studies in pencil, charcoal and mixed media. You will be encouraged to expand your mark-making vocabulary and to loosen up by exploring drawing in different ways, while improving your observational skills.
Developing Your Creative Drawing Skills
This is an exciting course which will help you to develop your drawing skills. There is an emphasis on experimenting with different techniques and media. Students will create a range of experimental sketches and finished works.
Painting With Mixed Media
This is an exciting course which will introduce you to different media and painting techniques. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will create a range of studies, experimental trials and finished works. You will work from subjects including still life and self portraits to be discussed with the tutor.
Watercolour for Beginners
This course will teach you the basics of watercolour painting and introduce you to more experimental painting methods. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques to produce paintings. You will create a range of studies, experimental trials and finished works.
Maplin Children's Art and Craft week
Mapalim Art Workshop
Mapalim Art Workshop
Mapalim Art Workshop
Mapalim Art Workshop
Altered Book Art (Children's Project)
This project involved designing and creating two altered book artworks, using a variety of media and techniques. The use of a book introduces artworks based on a narrative. The stories chosen have included a favourite book, stories written by the students and non-fiction events. The first book made use of wire modelling and paper mâché giving the impression that the story was exploding or growing out from the book. The second book was altered by cutting into it, collaging, deconstructing, drawing, painting, weaving, sewing, felting or folding.
'The Making' World Arts Day, Basingstoke
Volunteering at 'The Making' World Arts Day, Basingstoke
