Art and Craft courses for everyone at Stanwick Lakes

Stanwick Lakes has a wide variety of art and craft events throughout the year, whether you want to learn a new skill, brush up on an old one or be inspired by the talents of others. The Visitor Centre’s diverse spaces accommodate all sorts of arts events and the natural light that streams through the windows is one of the things that attracts regular groups.

The site is run by Rockingham Forest Trust as a social enterprise and any income made from Art and Craft events held at Stanwick Lakes is reinvested into the crafts programme and used for maintaining the site as a nature reserve and countryside attraction. Arts and Crafts events are kept at a low cost, to enable as many people as possible to have a go and be introduced to a new skill. Normal car parking charges apply.

Craft Café

Our weekly Craft Café is a weekday drop-in session and a great way for adults to try a new craft and to meet other crafters. The Café usually takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays (but not in the school holidays) between 10.00am and 12.00pm in the visitor centre.

Art and craft courses

We are offering a range of courses for beginners and for practiced artists and crafters alike. For biogs on our tutors please scroll to the bottom of the course listings, we include three hours of free parking per half day booking. For any questions please email the team directly – events@rftrust.org.uk or call 01933 625522

Please see full course listings below.

Course Name	Mixed media painting – Autumn landscapes
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Monday 5^th September 10.00am or 1.30pm 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£25.00 per session
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided.
Overview	In this session we will use Anilinky paints, ink, and pens to create vibrant mixed media paintings with an autumnal landscape theme.

10.00am course – Book now

1.30pm course – Book now

Course Name	Charcoal Portrait Taster Session
Tutor	Paul Berryman
Date and time	Wednesday 7^th September or Wednesday 2nd November 10.00am or 1.30pm 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£25.00 per session
Aimed at (audience)	Aimed at anyone intrigued by the art of making portraits, who wishes to try it out in a safe and supportive environment.
Overview	Maybe you’re already making portraits, or just interested in experiencing what it’s like to actually produce one yourself after watching them being made on the TV. Whichever it is, this taster session will give you the basic steps and processes needed to get a portrait off the ground with the “likeness” as a key aiming point. The session is part demo, but mostly hands-on, and aims to establish if you’d love to do our 5 week intro to portraiture course as a follow-on. Have a look at Paul’s video that tells you a bit more here

Select the date you want on the next page – 10.00am course – Book now

Select the date you want on the next page – 1.30pm course – Book now

Course Name	Reading Round
Tutor	Judith Allnatt, sponsored by the Royal Literary Fund
Date and time	Thursday 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th September, 6^th, 13^th, 20^thOctober, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th November 1^st, 8^th and 15^th December. This is a 30 week course running into Spring and Summer 11.00am – 12.30pm
Numbers	10 – 12 students per class
Cost	The sessions, sponsored by the Royal Literary Fund, are FREE but booking is required; please email Judith to book your place
Aimed at (audience)	This friendly group is open to all adults
Overview	A reading group with a difference. No pens, no paper, no advance reading – like a book club, but without the ‘homework’! Go on an amazing journey with a close-knit group over thirty weeks! Join author Judith Allnatt for weekly meetings discovering stories and poems and discussing how writers weave their effects. Humorous or serious, moving or thought-provoking – new texts from all corners of the world will be presented each session for sheer enjoyment.

Please message Judith at judith.allnatt@rlfeducation.org.uk to find out more or to reserve your place

Course Name	Introduction to crochet
Tutor	Pauline Procter
Date and time	Friday 9^th September or Friday 4th November 10.00am 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£17.50 per session
Aimed at (audience)	Complete beginners Students will need to provide materials, a full list will be provided, the tutor can provide equipment and materials at cost, if required
Overview	A half-day workshop includes: Learn to crochet a classic granny square, includes how to use a crochet hook and make a slip knot slip stitch, chain stitch and treble stitch. joining a new yarn colour and finishing work Materials needed; 5mm, crochet hook, 3 balls x 50g/100g double knitting yarn (dk) in different colours

Select the September or November date on the next page

10.00am course – Book now

Course Name	Introduction to oil painting – 5 week course
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Mondays – 12^th 19^th 26^th September 3^rd and 10^th October 5 week course – 2.5 hour morning session, 10.00am
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£140.00 per five week course
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for adults of all abilities. No experience is needed. All materials are provided. Old clothes are recommended.
Overview	The course will be a practical and comprehensive introduction to painting in oils. From preparing surfaces to paint on to application of paint, tools and use of mediums. The course will teach you all the basics needed to get started with confidence in this fabulous medium. We will use a range of subject matter during the 5 weeks and explore traditional layered approaches as well as painterly sketches.

5 week course – Book now

Course Name	Introduction to watercolour – 5 week course
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Mondays – 12^th 19^th 26^th September 3^rd and 10^th October 5 week course – 2.5 hour afternoon session, 1.30pm
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£120.00 per 5 week course
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for complete beginners and improvers. No experience is needed. All materials are provided.
Overview	This course will be a practical and comprehensive introduction to painting in watercolours. From surface preparation to application of paint, tools and use of mediums. The course will teach you all the basics needed to get started with confidence in this beautiful medium. We will be exploring a range of techniques to create washes, layers, textures and fine details, looking at different subjects for inspiration each week.

5 week course – 1.30pm session – Book now

Course Name	Introduction to portraiture – 5 week course
Tutor	Paul Berryman
Date and time	Wednesdays – 14^th 21^st 28^th September 5^th and 12^th October 10.00am or 1.30pm or Wednesdays – 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^thNovember, 7^th December 10.00am only 2.5 hour morning or afternoon sessions
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£120.00 per 5 week course
Aimed at (audience)	Aimed at anyone intrigued by the art of making portraits, who wishes to try it out in a safe and supportive environment.
Overview	Suitable for any experience level, this 5 week course which earns a popupartschool.co.uk “Portrait Introduction” diploma, will lead you through the steps and processes needed to get a portrait off the ground with the “likeness” as a key aiming point. The course starts with simple studio exercises but will develop into working from a live model

Select the September start date or November start date on the booking page – 5 week course,

10.00am sessions – Book now

1.30pm sessions – Book now

Course Name	Crochet a bag/basket – 5 week course
Tutor	Pauline Procter
Date and time	Fridays – 23^rd 30^th September and 7^th,14^th and 21^st October 10.00am 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£80.00 per 5 week course
Aimed at (audience)	The natural progression following an intro course. Students will need to provide materials, a full list will be provided. The tutor can provide equipment and materials at cost, if required.
Overview	A half-day workshop as follows: Make a project bag/basket using granny squares Participants must be able to use a crochet hook, make a slip knot; work slip stitch, chain and treble stitch We will make 5 different granny squares whilst learning new stitches. Become competent at reading patterns and learn how to join squares and finish a project. Materials needed; 5mm crochet hook and a minimum of 3 x 50g/100g of dk yarn in different colours.

5 week course, 10.00am – Book now

Course Name	Introduction to silk painting
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Tuesday 27 September 10.00am – 4.00pm All day class
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£60.00 per person
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided. Lunch is not included.
Overview	In this session you will be shown all the basics in silk painting, from preparation of the silk, to the use of gutta, application of silk paints and use of additives for some special effects. You will have a range of sample pieces that you have made to take away with you.

All day class, 10.00am start – Book now

Course Name	Recycled metal and wire sculpture day
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Tuesday 4^th October 10.00am – 4.00pm All day class
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£60.00 per person
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided. Lunch is not included.
Overview	In this session we will use recycled aluminium cans, wire and other found objects to make small scale sculptures. You will learn how to prepare the raw materials, consider form and the use of basic tools for construction of your sculptures.

All day class, 10.00am start – Book now

Course Name	Arm knitting
Tutor	Courtney Love
Date and time	Saturday 8^th October or Saturday 12^th November, 10.30 – 12.30
Numbers	12 students per class
Cost	From £75.00, book directly with tutor www.thechunkyneedle.com/workshops/stanwicklakes
Aimed at (audience)	No knitting experience required suitable from age 10+ upwards
Overview	Join Courtney for a morning of chunky arm knitting and make your very own 30” x 50” chunky knit blanket using your arms alone. Select your own wool from either 30 merino shades or 18 gorgeous acrylics. The process taked less time than conventional knitting, so results can be seen quickly – and who doesn’t want that?!…

Course Name	Mixed Media – seed heads
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Monday 17^th October 10.00am or 1.30pm 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£25.00 per session
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided.
Overview	In this session we will use collage and water-based paints as well as drawing tools to create individual detailed mixed media drawings of seed heads.

10.00am session – Book now

1.30pm session – Book now

Course Name	Mixed Media – Spooky derelict buildings
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Monday 31^st October 10.00am or 1.30pm 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£25.00 per session
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided.
Overview	In this session we will use a range of wet and dry media to create atmospheric studies of spooky interiors. Exploring light and contrast and thinking about composition for dramatic visual impact.

10.00am session – Book now

1.30pm session – Book now

Course Name	Introduction to Collagraph printmaking day
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Tuesday 1^st November 10.00am – 4.00pm All day class
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£60.00 per person
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided. Lunch is not included
Overview	In this one-day course you will learn how to make a collagraph print plate using a range of found and recycled materials. You will experiment with both intaglio and relief methods of printing with your plate using a small portable etching press and produce a range of prints to take home.

All day class, 10.00am start – Book now

Course Name	Pottery for beginners – 5 week course
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Mondays – 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th November, 5^th December 2.5 hour morning or afternoon session, 10.00am or 1.30pm (select one time slot for the entire course please)
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£140.00 per 5 week course
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for beginners and improvers. No experience is necessary. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided
Overview	This course will be a practical introduction to ceramics. From safety and preparation to clays, tools and decoration methods. The course will teach you all the basics needed to get started with confidence. We will explore all 3 of the main hand building methods: Coiling, pinch pots and slab construction to create a number of small ceramic objects before looking at glazing and other methods of decorating. You will be able to collect these once they have had their final firing

5 week course – 10.00am session – Book now

5 week course- 1.30pm session – Book now

Course Name	How to draw a Spitfire – 5 week course
Tutor	Paul Berryman
Date and time	Wednesdays – 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^thNovember, 7^th December 2.5 hour afternoon sessions, 1.30pm
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£120.00 per 5 week course
Aimed at (audience)	You love Spitfires, you’d love to be able to draw one, but you can barely manage a stick man and would never take an art class for fear of embarrassment. Welcome, this is for you!
Overview	Was there ever a more aesthetically pleasing and charismatic man-made machine than a Supermarine Spitfire? The beautiful organic lines of its design appeal to the eye at first glance, but are very difficult to capture accurately in a drawing. In this back-to-basics class, lifelong Spitfire junkie and artist Paul Berryman will take you on a journey, week-by-week, towards producing a piece of art that you will be proud of, featuring Britain’s most iconic aircraft.

5 week course, 1.30pm – Book now

Course Name	Make an amigurumi (Japanese crochet toy) – 5 week course
Tutor	Pauline Procter
Date and time	Fridays – 11^th, 18^th, 25^thNovember, 2^nd and 9^th December 10.00am 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£80.00 per 5 week course
Aimed at (audience)	For students that are already adept at crocheting and want to challenge themselves to create a new piece.
Overview	5 half-day workshops as follows: Make a three-dimensional amigurumi toy Participants must be able to read a basic pattern and be able to do chain and double crochet stitches We will learn how to increase and decrease stitches, use stitch markers, finish a three-dimensional toy with stuffing and eyes. Crochet hook, yarn, stitch markers, safety eyes, yarn needle

10.00am session – Book now

Course Name	Lino printmaking day
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Tuesday 15^th November 10.00am – 4.00pm All day class
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£60.00 per person
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided. Lunch is not included.
Overview	In this one-day course we will go over all the basics in lino printmaking, from creating a design to cutting your lino. We will explore the reduction print method of layering and explore use of colours and tones, to create a series of lino prints to take home.

All day class, 10.00am start – Book now

Course Name	Introduction to Painting in Pastels
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Tuesday 29^th November 10.00am – 4.00pm All day class
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£60.00 per person
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided. Lunch is not included.
Overview	In this one-day course we will cover all the basics in painting in soft pastels before creating fabulous stormy skies and sunsets in this beautiful medium.

All day class, 10.00am start – Book now

Course Name	Mixed Media – Festive florals
Tutor	Catherine Matthews
Date and time	Monday 12^th December 10.00am or 1.30pm 2.5 hour classes
Numbers	10 students per class
Cost	£25.00 per session
Aimed at (audience)	Suitable for all abilities. Old clothes are recommended. All materials are provided.
Overview	In this session we will use a range of wet and dry media including Brusho to create exciting, vibrant paintings with a festive floral theme

10.00am session – Book now

1.30pm session – Book now

Our Tutor Biographies:

Catherine Matthews

Catherine Matthews is a practicing artist and qualified art teacher with 20 years of experience in teaching Art in secondary schools, as well as with adults and community groups.

With a friendly, enthusiastic approach and fresh ideas, she aims to inspire creativity in others through art as an adventure. Traditional skills with old and new processes. Learning through doing.

Paul Berryman

Paul is a lifelong artist whose practice concentrates on making figure and portrait art, with the focus on working from live models. Paul has delivered hundreds of life drawing and portrait events with his own drop-in groups. He has honed a supportive and light-hearted teaching style when facilitating classes with a wide mix of abilities. Paul endeavours to leave absolutely nobody behind when it comes to finding progress from a live art session

Judith Allnatt

Judith Allnatt is a fiction writer, poet and experienced tutor. Her novels have been featured as a Radio 5 Book of the Month and shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award and the Portico Prize for Literature. Her short fiction and poetry has been listed for many awards including the Commonwealth Short Story Award, Bridport Prize, Radio 4 Showcase and the National Poetry Competition. She has worked widely as a Writer in Residence and has most recently served as a Royal Literary Fund Fellow. www.judithallnatt.com

Pauline Procter

Pauline has been passionate about art and crafting all her life.

Once she left full-time employment she began teaching crafts, she also went to several different ‘Art Tutors’ to improve her own drawing skills and confidence. She has taught a whole variety of crafts including crochet, cross-stitch, button art and textile art.

Since the pandemic, she has continued to crochet for family and friends and has become very interested in textile art – mainly as gifts but she also works on commissions.

Courtney Love

Courtney started chunky knitting 15 years ago and began by knitting very long chunky scarves. She loves knitting super chunky blankets and homeware using the best merino wool available.