Art Classes

For a holiday activity with a difference, why not try an art class led by a renowned local artist and held in the relaxed surroundings of your holiday home or out and about taking inspiration from the stunning local countryside.  All levels are welcome from accomplished artists wishing to refine their techniques to complete beginners. The class will be designed to match your group’s skills and interests and all materials are provided. We offer fun classes for children as well as adults.

Example half and full day classes are set out below. If you have a specific theme in mind, our tutors would be delighted to create a bespoke class for your party. A wide range of techniques and media can be covered including printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and casting.  In view of the equipment required (and the potential mess) some of the latter courses may be held at Gill Walton’s local studio.

Gill Walton

Gill Walton has been a practicing, professional artist since graduating with honours from a fine art degree in 1989. In addition to producing her own paintings and sculptures of still life and portraits she has many years experience as a lecturer in further education, specialising in fine art and life drawing.

Oliver Reed

Oliver studied for his Fine Art Masters degree at Edinburgh College of Art and has been teaching and mentoring degree and lifelong learning students at the college for the past 12 years. As an artist, Oliver’s work explores the land and our relation to it, its natural history and geology, creating works within the Scottish Borders and in America.

Watercolour painting

Using a still life or a feature of your holiday house, Gill will offer you hints and tips to improve your skills and enhance your enjoyment of this challenging medium. From stretching your paper, preparing the initial sketch to painting a flat wash and deciding what brush to use, Gill will introduce you to how water colour pigments work and a few unexpected tricks of the trade.

Full day course (6 hours)
Including all materials, for a group (up to 8 people): £420

Half day course (3 hours)
Including all material, for a group (up to 8 people): £280

Life drawing

With a professional artist’s model and using the backdrop of your holiday property, these classes will include a number of different exercises to enhance your knowledge of the anatomy and proportions of the human form.  A range of media will help you to develop your style.

Full day course (6 hours)
Including all materials and life model, for a group (up to 8 people): £510

Half day course (3 hours)
Including all materials and life model, for a group (up to 8 people): £325

Painting the Border landscapes

Explore your creativity by seeking inspiration from the superb countryside around you. The rolling hills, lush woodlands, flowing rivers and wide skies offer a wealth of challenges to all artists. Outdoor classes are always an inspiration; the light alone can open your eyes to an entirely new pallet. Your teacher will help develop your skills and techniques including the use of water colours and/or acrylics.

Full day course (6 hours)
Including all materials, for a group (up to 8 people): £420

Half day course (3 hours)
Including all material, for a group (up to 8 people): £280

Walk and create

Set over two days, day one is spent on an inspirational walk through the stunning local countryside, stopping on route to sketch, take photographs and make environmental sculptures. The research material is taken back to your holiday property for the following day. Day two is spent working from the previous day’s endeavours in the medium of your choice.

Two day course
Including all materials, for a group (up to 8 people): £790

Young Picassos

Designed to appeal to the interests of the young, these classes broaden their horizons and encourage confidence.  The classes take inspiration from the work of an artist from the present or recent past and the participants create work based around what they have discovered.  Media can include drawing, painting, pastels, acrylics, collage, basic print making and ceramics.  Students produce individual works as well as team creations.

Full day course (6 hours)
Including all materials, for a group (up to 8 children): £385

Half day course (3 hours)
Including all material, for a group (up to 8 children): £255

Residential art courses

We also offer residential art courses held in the luxurious surroundings of the Hoscote Estate. A variety of courses are on offer giving you the opportunity to develop your skills, gain inspiration from scenic locations and learn new techniques from an accomplished and stimulating artist. Come on your own and meet like-minded individuals or bring a partner or friend.  All levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome and positively encouraged. Please click here for further information.