Our 2013 courses are now ready to book!

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the new Farncombe brochures are here!   Our 2013 programme has been designed and printed and – if you subscribe to the printed version – should soon appear on a door mat near you.

In the interests of being green, we do, of course, encourage you to visit the website or download our virtual brochure instead.  All our 2013 courses are now available to see online, along with background on our tutors, photographs of the venue in action and information about what it’s like to come on a Farncombe weekend.   Just visit www.farncombecourses.co.uk

We are excited to offer an extended range of faculties in 2013, with more Art weekends, extra  Languages and more History tutors than ever before.  You’ll also find some amazing new subjects like Bee-keeping, Pyrography, Meditation and Poetry.

We can’t wait to welcome you (back?) to our beautiful Farncombe Estate.  Call us on 0333 456 8580.

Summer Courses in the Heart of the UK

Farncombe Estate based in the North Cotswolds is a place where you cal lear, laugh and relax. Over the Summer Farncombe is hosting residential and day courses in a wide variety of subjects. Courses being held this summer are:

The Extraordinary life of Heitor Villa-Lobos

Start: 6th July 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 8th July 2012 at 2:00pm

Drawing for Absolute Beginners

Start: 7th July 2012 at 9:30am
End: 7th July 2012 at 4:30pm

Quilting Weekend: Where is the North Star?

Start: 31st August 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 2nd September 2012 at 2:00pm

‘All the Queen’s Women’: the Female World of Elizabeth I

Start: 31st August 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 2nd September 2012 at 2:00pm

Exploring Natural Abstract Painting in Oils and Acrylics

Start: 5th August 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 7th August 2012 at 2:00pm

Formy more information about any of our courses please visit www.farncombeestate.co.uk

Summer Discount at Farncombe

Our Early Bird offer may have flown but we are pleased to offer you a 10% discount on selected summer courses at Farncombe!   Please quote FC0612 to claim this special discount. Bookings need to be made by phone - 0333 456 8580.

The following courses qualify:

Drawing for theTerrified (2 nights) 13 – 15 July

Richard Box will guide you on your first steps in creative drawing

Botanical BasicsPainting (2 nights) 13 – 15 July

Learn to use gouache or watercolour to illustrate botanical subjects, with artist Simon Williams

Digital PhotographyWeekend – Learn to use your Compact Digital Camera (2 nights) 20-22 July

Ban the auto button and take better pictures with the help of photographer Nick Meers

Blocks Galore forQuilts and More (4 nights) 22 – 26 July

Textile tutor Jennie Rayment will teach you the delights of textured twiddling!

The High Renaissancein Italy (3 nights) 5 – 8 August

Discover the important artists and patrons of 16^th Century Italy, with art historian Alice Foster

Novel Outline andBeyond (3 nights) 12 – 15 August

Pick up professional tips on developing a story and creating believable characters – with author Sue Johnson

Expert tuition, fabulous surroundings - Painting Courses in the Cotswolds 2011

From 1 day courses to longer painting breaks, choose from : Acrylic Painting, Watercolour Painting, How to Draw / Paint Portraits, Oil Painting, Landscape Painting, Drawing with Pen & Wash, Silk Painting, Coloured Pencil Techniques, Drawing Caricatures, Drawing Animals, Still Life Painting, Life Drawing & more ...

Click here to view the list of forthcoming painting courses in the Cotswolds or call 033 3456 8580.

Drawing Pets & Animals with Pencil : 1-day course

This is a one day course aimed at beginners and/or students with some experience of using graphite (lead) pencil as a drawing medium. Using photographs supplied by the tutor, the students will be taught skills and techniques such as basic pencil drawing and shading, drawing fur, eyes, ears and noses. The skills and techniques learnt on the course can be used to draw effective and realistic pictures of your favourite pets and wildlife subjects too. The course will also cover all the tools and materials that can be used with graphite pencils. The aims of the course are to introduce the students to the many different skills, techniques and subjects to do with pets and wildlife and how to draw them using graphite pencil from photographs supplied by the tutor.

This one day course takes place at Farncombe Estate on 8 January 2011 with Jonathan Newey - to check availability call 033 3456 8580 or email enquiries@farncombeestate.co.uk

Pet/Animal Techniques with Graphite (lead) Pencil - Art Day Course - Day Courses

Reflections of Venice in Watercolour - Painting Course with Paul Weaver

Venice continues to inspire thousands of artists with its magnificent architecture, canals and atmospheric light. For anyone considering a painting trip to this magical city this course will get your creative ideas flowing. Paul will guide you through his techniques for simplifying complex architecture, the colourful weathered walls, canals, reflections, bustling squares and narrow streets in a free, impressionistic style. All reference provided.
Aimed at intermediate level students.

Farncombe Estate - Reflections of Venice in Watercolour - Click here for further details

Valerie Oxley's Botanical Illustration course - Drawing and Painting Spring Flowers - Last chance to book !

A delightful course for people who would like to capture early spring flowers in pencil and watercolour paint. Each stage carefully explained and demonstrations will be followed up with individual tuition. Suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience who would like to improve and refresh their techniques. The course will include a session on colour theory and how to mix and match colours accurately to obtain a lifelike representation of the plant. Composition and placement of the plant on the page will be discussed. No previous experience of art or botany is required to enjoy this course.

Course takes place 15-17 April 2011 - enquire online or call 033 3456 8580.

Botanical Illustration - Drawing and Painting Spring Flowers at Farncombe Estate - Click here for further details

EAC Over 60s Art Awards 2010 -11

The EAC's annual Over 60s Art Awards competition is now open, with a closing date for entries of 4th March 2011. For the first time in its 17 year history, the exhibition will be held out of London, at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists' RBSA Gallery in Birmingham, from 10th - 21st May 2011.

For an Entry Form and competition rules visit website www.eacartawards.org.uk which has been updated and also contains all the information you need to enter the competition as well as an extensive gallery of recent finalists' work. A large number of people entered on-line last year and this facility is available again this year.

Portraits of British Farm Animals - one day art workshops in the Cotswolds

Animal artist Alexandra Woods specialises in portraits of British farm animals capturing the essence of their spirit.

Exhibitions include Affordable Art Fair, Air Gallery London, Broadway Modern, CCA Galleries, Chelsea Art Fair, New Brewery Arts Cirencester, River Cottage HQ, Smiths of Smithfield London, Sphere Gallery London. Alexandra will be tutoring 2 one-day "Portraits of British Farm Animals" workshops at Farncombe in 2011.

Alexandra Woods

Drawing for Absolute Beginners - 2 October with Lynne Gibson

Most people would love to be able to draw!

Of course it takes years of practice to become an expert, but it is vital you set about it in the right way from the absolute beginning. This can save a lot of frustration, yield surprising results, and set you on the path to success.

You will learn some basic skills during the day and, most importantly, you will learn to see the world in a special way: the way the artist sees it.

Drawing equipment will all be provided.

Lynne Gibson is a fully qualified teacher and highly experienced lecturer in Critical and Contextual Studies in Art, as well as practical Drawing, Painting and Printmaking.
She has lectured for the University of Sussex and the University of Bristol, where she also taught several summer schools. Other teaching includes Bath and Stroud colleges of Art, and ARCA colleges Dillington House and Farncombe Estate.
She also gives lectures, talks and tours for organizations such as the National Trust, National Galleries and Museums, and various art societies. She now works freelance as a lecturer and consultant.

She is an accredited NADFAS lecturer.

Drawing for Absolute Beginners - Painting & Drawing

Take a look - featured items 2010

From painting courses and willow sculpture to gardening and cookery courses, find out more by visiting our website Spotlight on ...

The Big Draw 2010 events go live !

Everyone who registers for the 2010 Big Draw receives a free DVD packed with inspirational films, slide shows and ideas for drawing activities for different audiences. Even if you’re still at the exploratory stage, it’s worth registering as the DVD could help develop your plans.

More information available from The Campaign for Drawing www.campaignfordrawing.org

Watercolour Landscapes with Colin Beckett - workshop £8

Colin will show you how to paint the landscape in the traditional way. The emphasis will be on skies, trees, buildings and water, How to appreciate more on what you see in nature and then transpose it to paper using the correct colours.
Colin Beckett is a self taught artist who has the passion and ability to convey his love of painting to others and his relaxed teaching techniques are an inspiration to many. Join Colin and learn how to construct a country watercolour landscape painting. Colin is running one workshop on
Saturday 17th July 11am-12.30pm Tickets cost £8
Click here to book or call the TicketLine on 0207 382 3192.

"My Farncombe Experience ...."

Gill attended "A Drawing and Sketching - a Course for Beginners" at Farncombe Estate with Doug Eyre February 2010 - read her story on our website ...."My Farncombe Experience ...."


Do you have an encouraging story about taking part in a weekend course at Farncombe that you would like to share with others? Please email elliej@farncombeestate.co.uk with further details.

Case Studies selected to feature on our website receive a £50 Farncombe gift voucher.

Bursaries available for Dartmoor Arts Summer School 2010

Bursaries available for places at Dartmoor Arts 2010 summer school. Courses on offer this year include documentary photography, spatial structures, digital photography, painting, drawing, storytelling, iron casting, stone carving and earth art.

To apply for a bursary visit our website www.dartmoorarts.com or contact admin@dartmoorarts.com, 01647 281295. Early bookings are advised as places are limited.

Save up to £75 on Painting holidays in the Cotswolds

Bring a friend, relative or colleague and enjoy a weekend with fellow artists at Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds.

To make a booking call 01386 854100 or email enquiries@FarncombeEstate.co.uk. (Please don't forget to quote your offer code "DuoP9" before 31st March 2010 - call 01386 854100 for more details.

Goddess Workshop - places available Saturday 20 March

A painting workshop in Broadway with Christine Barnett - for more details see her website http://www.christinebarnett.co.uk

New Watercolour Painting course with International Artist Jacky Pearson at Farncombe Estate August 2010

Special new date just confirmed - 20-22 August 2010

Jacky was born in 1958 in the UK and moved to New Zealand in 1991. She has painted and drawn all her life and following a career in environmental conservation she now paints full-time. She has attended workshops with many of the worlds top watercolour artists. Solo exhibitions have included 40 paintings representing the complete series of all New Zealand's classical coastal lighthouses. She is a member of Watercolour New Zealand and has represented New Zealand at the 2006/7 International Biennial Watercolour exhibition/competition and was subsequently selected to represent New Zealand in their permanent collection at the International Museum of Watercolours in Mexico. Jacky has won numerous awards including the 2009 Raye Hannan Memorial Trophy for the best watercolour in all categories at the Royal Easter Show in Auckland.
She is an experienced art tutor and holds regular lessons and workshops around New Zealand and abroad including Art in Action (CASS), Kurrajong, Australia and workshops in Holland, Belgium and UK.


Watercolours with International Artist and Tutor Jacky Pearson - Painting & Drawing

Watercolour Pencil Techniques 14th Feb FULLY BOOKED

Still some places available for 14 August - hurry hurry ! Art Day Course: Watercolour Pencil Techniques - Painting & Drawing

It’s all about Art 2010

This extremely popular event hosted by the Society for All Artists will be back and better than ever for 2010.

area: London
dates: 22 to 24 July 2010

Consisting of three days of FREE art workshops and demonstrations with top professional artists...and so much more. There will be plenty of opportunities to paint stunning pictures that you can take home with you from the workshops or relax and pick up some fantastic hints and tips in the demonstrations. There’s no pre-booking required and all materials are provided, so just turn up and get involved. So whether you prefer watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastels or pencils...there will be something for you!

If you’ve ever wondered how to use certain art materials or how certain materials are made, a whole host of art experts will be on hand to show you how.

Tickets are available from just £6 a day and a one-day ticket will give you hours of tuition, advice, encouragement, inspiration, atmosphere and entertainment, so go online and book your tickets today! If you want to make sure you get the most out of the ‘It’s all about Art’ experience, two and three day tickets are also available at a discounted rate.

For more information and to book, visit www.saa.co.uk/AllAboutArt.aspx.
To view the ‘It’s all about Art’ video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61cqUQTFV-g.