Norfolk creative Arts is a renowned creative art school based in a grade II listed former junior school in the village of Grimston in West Norfolk. Hans had the vision to open Norfolk Creative Arts in 2011 and ever sinse has established a growing loyal and dedicated clientelle who keep coming back to this special and independent art school.

Following a careful restoraton to bring the building back to life after being neglected for several years, Hans created a centre of artistic excellence in North Norfolk - perfect for your own artistic development within this superb North Norfofk arts venue. 

Hans studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths and then Fine Art and Theatre at Brighton University and with over 10 years experience as an events manager for a top London event company, he is your perfect host and organiser too.

I'm delighted to be returning to Norfolk Creative Arts for another exclusive weekend of expressive creativity. You will learn lots each day as we explore loose, free and energetic pastel painting techniques with soft and hard pastels in combination to create dramatic looking paintings.

This exciting weekend is perfect for artists looking for something new and who want to gain confidence with colour in their work and who want to really learn how to use pastels in lots of rewarding and exciting ways.

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September Norfolk Creative Arts mixed media workshops

As the weekend is one continuous exciting painting session in effect, there wont be seperate 'themes' for each day. Instead this is your chance to build a collective and coherent wide range of exciting paintings based on the painting subjects - estuaries, creeks and tidal areas that are key to the weekend. Bring references that  inspire you.

You may wish to foucus on wide open vistas across sweeping areas of the beach which incorporate sand dunes for 'line' within the foreground, reeds and marshes so you can focus on line and textures, creeks at low tide with flowing shapes, tidal channels - and more. These are just some of the suggestions for painting subjects which we will be painting together over the exciting weekend.

The images shown advertising this workshop weekend highlight the techniques that will be taught (with many more) over the two days we paint together.

Whatever your favourite view this is a workshop to really learn how to capture and embrace the true aspect of the special qualities which Norfolk has in terms of light, wide open and wild spaces and of course, its fresh water and salt marshes.

Important information
Although the short art break is aimed at artists with some previous painting experience (not the humble beginner), being a ’newbie’ to pastels or mixed midia  is absolutely fine - in fact, it’s a very good thing as I don’t have to unravel all the bad habits you may have picked up with all those ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ along the way!

I’ve won awards for my mixed medai painting over the years - several odf which have been shown in The Mall galleries with The Socierty of Graphic Fine Art (for which I am a full member) and with the Federation of British artists with The Pastel Society also. The techniques I will teach you on this rewarding fun packed two day event  (just once a year) are those I use in my own practice regularly for which I am continually inspired and excited by.

The weekend workshop is a real must for anyone wanting to really gain a truly creative practical experience and in depth understanding what it’s like to work with beautiful soft pastels and other media in combination.

It is important that you bring your own visual references please to paint from as these are not provided.

Things to bring with you to  the workshops

• On both days we will be working on different weights of watercolour paper and other papers too. I highly recommend Cotton Rich watercolour papers (often called 'rag' papers) such as Canson Heritage, Saunders Waterford 'bright white' in weights of 300gsm (140lb) and hevier as HP (hot pressed), 'not' and 'rough' papers. Thinner papers will have to be stretched before you come.
• Bring different sizes of watercolour paper and weigghts. Suggested 18 x 24 inches as the largest.Note: Heavier weight papers are stronger and perfect for the loose and expressive techniques and hold lots more pastel  and other media together han other thinner types of paper do.
• Your own photographic reference to paint from for each subject over the workshop weekend. I highly recommend you plan ahead and choose painting subjects with lots of glowing Autumn colour filled with light and shade. I highly recommend that you print A4 glossy prints to work from. Printing on ordinary copy paper and colours sink in. Many students choose to use an iPad or similar to work from. I often do the same. However, my device is held at eye level using a 'Goose Neck' so if you have those bring them with you.

Note: If you download references to paint from from the Internet please be mindful of copywright and make sure the images are not small nor pixilated. You want a good quality and detailed reference to paint from. 

Hard and soft pastels

• Please try and avoid the very cheap dusty ones - the colours are not as bright and you are likely to be ‘wanting’ real depth and radiant colours in your finished paintings. A highly recommended quality but economical range is the 72 set of ‘Inscribe’ pastels. I use them all the time. Rembrandt harder pastels are great in combination with Unison Colour and I use both.
• Fixative (any brand) IS NEEDED! Don’t bring hairspray - it yellows your work in the long term.

Other equipment 

• Watercolour brushes - the larger the better. One inch and 2 inch flats, large Hakes and so on are highly recommended.
• Several mixing pots for water. 
• Jars or containers large enough for putting media into to desolve in large volumes as separate and intermixed colours. Eg. the bottom part of plastic supermarket milk container is ideal.
• Stanley Knife, scalpel for shaving off pastel particles we will be disolving with water.
• An old serving spoon or soup spoon which will be used to crush pastel into granuals to paint with.
• Erasers - hard and soft
• Fixative (NOT HAIRSPRAY)! CASS Art fixative highly recommended as a working fixative. Loxley fixative as well to deliberately darkening colours.
• Charcoal - any brand. (Highly recommended charcoal powder, water soluble charcoal - if you have it)
• Water soluble graphite sticks - the softer the better. (Derwent watersoluble sticks highly recommended)
• Buldog clips and Making tape to secure your work to the drawing boards
• Scrap paper  - thin photocopier paper, old envolopes etc are ideal. We will use these for masking techniques
• Rubbing alchohol. A different type of solvent for use with soft pastel. It can be purchased on the internet and doesn't cost much. If you’d like to buy some before the course to use yourself please do. It will be shown in use but it’s not essential you bring it. If you want to try it, do get some yourself as mine cannot be shared. 

What's provided
Drawing boards and Easels
Regular demonstrations, group and one to one expert tuition throughout the day
All refreshments, home made cakes and buscuits and a tasty freshly cooked lunch each day by Hans

How to book and further enquiries 
To book your place please contact Hans on 01485 240420 or email [email protected]
or to book directly online please visit https://www.norfolkcreativearts.co.uk/

Location
Church Hill School, 71 Gayton Rd, Grimston PE32 1BG