Led by Jo Hall

Choosing a different coloured paper for each session we explore how paper colour can be exploited as part of the composition. Within this we will look at line, tone, form, mark making, texture and pattern using a variety of drawing media. Initially working from still life objects, the first week from natural forms e.g. a sea shell or fruit, later in the course there will be an opportunity to draw a landscape in colour or make a portrait study using the three-crayon technique.

Some objects will be supplied for the first session or bring a natural form you would like to draw.

Please bring your own materials and scroll down for detailed info on what you will need.

Some papers will be available from the tutor at cost.

Tues 28 Feb - 4 Apr
12.30pm - 3.30pm

£120 per 6-week course

Suitable for 18+ years

Materials Info

We will experiment with coloured pastel papers and some smoother coloured drawing papers suitable for other drawing media. A small sample pack of papers for the first session (cost about £2.00) will be available from the tutor for the first session. Other coloured papers will also be available at cost.

Please bring: drawing board and clips or tape to hold your paper, putty eraser, plastic eraser, paper towel, spray fixative for chalky media (to be used outside only), craft knife or pencil sharpener, small piece of sandpaper, water pots if using pen and ink (plus brush for brush drawing with ink)

Drawing media: you will only need black and white for the first week

Choose from the following suggestions;

Dry media: charcoal and white chalk pastel, pastel pencil, conté crayon in black white and sanguine, any coloured pencil, or graphite pencil or block

Wet media: e.g. pen/stick/brush and ink, paint pen, black fine liner and brush pens

It would be good to have something from each list above. The different kinds of drawing media will be discussed at the first session. Don’t bring large tins and boxes of colour as we will be working in an almost monochrome way first of all gradually introducing more colour in the following weeks.

•   4 Apr

Join us this Easter for fun and easy crafts! They vary so you can create something new at each session.

The below sessions are part of Quest Family Fest 2023. Join us to navigate your way through 2 weeks of creative adventures.

Tues 4 Apr | 1.15pm
Make and decorate fish mobiles.

Wed 5 Apr | 1.15pm
Under the sea themed print making.

Thur 6 Apr | 1.15pm
Decorate an under the sea scene using tissue paper and glue.

Tues 11 Apr | 1.15pm
Make a fish sun catcher with willow.

Wed 12 Apr | 1.15pm
Create dangling jellyfish friends.

Thur 13 Apr | 1.15pm
Air dry clay octopus.

Fri 14 Apr | 1.15pm
Shaving foam marbling sea creatures.

£4 per person
Suitable for ages 5 - 11 years
All materials provided. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

•   4 Apr from £4
•   5 Apr from £4
• 5 more dates...

Led by Amanda Schenk

Amanda Schenk is the visual artist behind Norden Farm's much-loved (and Instagrammed) glass corridor artwork in the school holidays. Join Amanda for this new drawing course, aimed at helping to create a sense of calm and relaxation through drawing patterns.

Suitable for all abilities, the workshops will focus on building confidence in your drawing abilities - concentrating on the soothing journey of the drawing experience, rather than the finished drawing.

In each session you'll explore how to produce different types of patterns in abstract drawings - looking at different designs each week.

You will need: paper (plain, no smaller than A5), lead pencil, eraser, sharpener, black fine liner or a pen. Optional is a black marker.

Spring
Tues 10 Jan, 7 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr
7.30pm - 8.45pm (online only)
£8 per class | £28 per 4 week course
Suitable for ages 18+ years

•   4 Apr from £8

Led by Kayleigh Robinson.

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Wed 29 Mar Puzzle Piece Art
Wed 5 Apr Easter Egg Decorating
Wed 12 Apr Miniature Garden
Wed 19 Apr Collage
Wed 26 Apr Ceramic Plates
Wed 3 May Macrame Feather
Wed 10 May Polymer Clay Mini Plants
Wed 17 May Glass Painting
Wed 31 May Mindfulness Tissue Paper Collage
Wed 7 Jun Flower Pots
Wed 14 Jun Tie Dye Waist Aprons
Wed 21 Jun Keyrings
Wed 28 Jun Decoupage Shell
Wed 5 Jul Pom Pom Animals
Wed 12 Jul Map Craft

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

Spring
Wed 11 Jan - 26 Apr (exc 8 Feb)
Summer Wed 3 May - 12 July (exc 24 May)

2pm - 3pm
£5 per session, including a cup of tea

These are blended sessions, where you can take part in person at Norden Farm or online via Zoom.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for this session please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

•   5 Apr from £5
•  12 Apr from £5
• 12 more dates...

Led by Sophie Keaveney

Do you like to crochet or knit? Join us for a relaxed and creative get together over a drink of your choice.

Suitable for those with experience of crochet / knitting.

Please bring your own project along. Some spare needles and wool will be available.

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

If you are taking part online, you will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email

Spring
Wed 11 Jan, 1 Feb, 1 Mar, 5 Apr
7pm – 8.30pm
£6 including a drink from the bar | £3 online

•   5 Apr from £3

Led by Berkshire Printmakers

Be summer ready with our "have a go" at silkscreen printing your own t-shirt design.

Join Berkshire Printmakers and design and print your own t-shirt design in two colours. Learn how to create paper stencils and combine these with our own patterned screens to print your own unique designs ready for the beach.

Including white organic t-shirt - please see image below for dimensions and add in your size when booking a ticket.

Thur 6 Apr
11am - 1pm

£37

Suitable for 18+ years

•   6 Apr from £37

Led by Mick McNicholas

Learn about the stages of portraiture, drawing with charcoal from a live model.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Suitable for 18+ years

Sat 11 Feb and 8 Apr
11am – 4pm
£34

•   8 Apr from £34
•  17 Jun from £34

Led by Lucy Wright.

Join Lucy Wright for a creative adventure over four days. Working towards a final exhibition where the artwork will come to life, Lucy and her team will be designing and creating large scale puppets and the landscapes they inhabit in this exciting and creative activity week.

This event is part of Quest Family Fest 2023. Join us to navigate your way through 2 weeks of creative adventures.

Food:
Participants can order lunch daily from our Café Bar by filling out the Lunchtime Choice Form at the registration desk.

The Lunchtime Menu is £7.50 and includes a choice of:
• Healthy Veggie Platter
• Penne Pomodoro
• Cheese & Ham or Cheese & Tomato Pizza with Salad
• Fish Fingers with chips
• Chicken Nuggets with chips
Plus a soft drink and a tub of ice cream

Alternatively there a Picnic Bag is £5 and includes:
• A Tuna, Ham or Cheese roll
• Fruit juice, biscuit, veggie sticks and a packet of Pom Bear crisps

There will be film screenings every day after the course has finished:
Tues - Thur 4.15pm – 5.30pm (approx)
Titles are still to be confirmed – keep an eye on the website for details!

Tues 11 Apr – Fri 14 Apr 11am – 4pm
£160 (£145 Advantage Card holder)

•  11 Apr from £160
•  12 Apr
• 2 more dates...

Led by Eiko Ishida

Celebrate the wonderful spring season– Spring is the season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again!

Why not try something new? Learn the beautiful art of Japanese calligraphy. You will enjoy the peace and calm of this class while creating the brush characters that write about spring and this lovely season.

You will be shown the basic principles of writing Japanese; using the traditional Japanese materials of a brush, ink and Japanese paper. You will be guided on how to create your first brush strokes and build on these basic steps to create some lovely Japanese characters.

No calligraphy experience or Japanese language skills necessary.

Wed 12 Apr
11am - 2pm

£48

Suitable for 18+ years

•  12 Apr from £48

Led by Helen Ridley

Every two weeks on Thursday from 11am - 2pm you will join local artist Helen Ridley to explore your inner artist.

Helen will demonstrate a range of techniques and materials, from watercolour and gouache to pencils and pastels.

Each session will explore a different theme with a range of references to choose from, giving you the opportunity to explore and experiment.

The Studio is open to all abilities and you will need to bring your own materials, please see details listed below:

Materials
● Watercolour paints
● Watercolour brushes
● Gouache paints
● Coloured pencils
● Coloured Pastels
● Watercolour paper
● Sketchbook to plan compositions and colour palettes

Mixed media paper will be available

The Studio Art Club runs from Thur 8 Sept every 2 weeks on the dates below.

Spring
Thur 19 Jan, 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 27 Apr
11am - 2pm
£28 per session | £184 per 8 week term

•  13 Apr from £28
•  27 Apr from £28
• 8 more dates...

Led by Helen D Evans

This course is suitable for all abilities.

During the course we will explore the different basic forms that you can make using slabs of clay including using templates and applying texture.

You will also be given time to experiment with your own designs and ideas.

A selection of underglazes and glazes will be available to you to apply colour to your work.

Work will be fired to Earthenware.

Fri 17 Mar - 21 Apr, exc 7 Apr
11am - 1pm

£115 per 5-week course

Suitable for 18+ years

Please bring with you:
An apron
Any Pottery tools you may have
Sketchbook for ideas / with ideas
Pens / Pencils
Scalpel / cutting mat

After the course.
We will arrange a date after the course for collection of work from Norden Farm

•  14 Apr
•  28 Apr

Led by Kayleigh Robinson

Design and create your own mosaic tray using ceramic and glass tiles on a wooden tray.

There will be a selection of designs for inspiration as well as a large choice of tiles to choose from. Please feel free to bring materials from home that you may wish to include in your work and any design ideas you may have.

No previous experience necessary. All materials are provided. You may wish to bring an apron to protect your clothes.

Wed 19 Apr
11am - 1pm

£45

Suitable for 18+ years

•  19 Apr from £45

Led by Mick McNicholas

Explore the complexities of the human form by working from a professional life model. With a variety of short and long poses. Learn both traditional charcoal drawing methods and new experimental techniques.

Half day sessions comprise of a variety of short and long poses.

Any mediums can be used in these sessions. Materials will be provided, although participants are very welcome to bring their own if you have something you like to work with.

Spring
Sat 21 Jan & Sat 22 Apr
11am - 2pm
£25 per session

Suitable for 18+ years

•  22 Apr from £25
•  20 May from £25
• 1 more dates...

Led by Jo Hall

A colour mixing workshop to help you mix colours for rocky landscapes, stone walls, weathered surfaces and shadows etc. These are also invaluable for still life studies involving neutral stoneware or dried seed heads. These coloured greys mixed from primary colours, complementary colours or as the title suggests from blue and brown can give a painting unity where the pigments used appear elsewhere in the work. Colour mixing exercises will be followed by painting a rocky landscape or grey still life object.

Landscape reference supplied or bring your own. Some watercolour paper will be available at cost.

Please bring your own materials and scroll down to find more detailed info.

Sat 22 Apr
11am - 4pm

£40

Suitable for 18+ years

Materials info

Watercolour or gouache paints; just bring your existing box of tubes or pans.

A few notes on useful colours;

Blues like Cobalt or Ultramarine, also if you have it, a very dark blue like Prussian Blue.

Browns like Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber will be very useful and also less essential; Red Iron Oxide, a reddish brown in all its forms which you may find in your box as Light Red, English Red and Venetian Red.

A good sized palette to mix your paint, plastic pipette of you have one.

Paper and equipment: cold pressed watercolour paper 300gsm, drawing board, tape or clips to fix paper to the board, block of wood about 2x2x6 inches or table easel to incline your board. Watercolour brushes, water pots, paper towel, small natural sponge, pencil

Some paper will be available at cost. Photo reference will be supplied or bring your own of a rocky outcrop, stone wall or weathered surfacegrey castle wall or even a grey stoneother grey still life object.

•  22 Apr from £40

Led by Kim Wright

This floral design course is for those who are new to floral design as well as those with some experience. I will guide the learners with demonstrations followed by practical work which will give them the confidence to develop their own floral designs each week. They will be shown how to prepare flowers and foliage, how to create gifts and how to decorate a party, home or just for a pleasure.

Additional Information

Please note that the materials are not provided. Learners will need to bring their own Floristry materials such as flowers, foliage, scissors, containers and some other materials each session to be able to create their own floral design. I will advise them each month.

Spring
Wed 25 Jan, Wed 22 Feb, Wed 22 Mar, Wed 26 Apr
11am - 1pm

£32 per session

•  26 Apr from £32

Led by Aliona Borysenko

Welcome to the world of embroidery!

This jewellery embroidery workshop is for beginners who are new to embroidery with different materials, as well as those with some experience in embroidery with threads.

During the workshop you will practice different embroidery techniques, which will give you the confidence to create and your own embroidery designs.

Designs for the Spring 2023 workshops TBC

You will be shown how to embroider with materials such as: beads, crystals, sequins, chenille, metallic threads, bugles and other materials. You may choose to decorate your clothes and your children's clothes with the embroidery you create, or you may choose to complete your embroidery into a brooch.

Spring
Sat 25 Feb, Sat 25 Mar, Sat 15 Apr
11am - 4pm
£70 per workshop

Materials and instruments for one Robin will be provided. Participants are very welcome to bring their clothes or that they would like to decorate with.

About Aliona Borysenko:
Aliona came from Ukraine where she taught at a leading Jewellery Design School. She began sharing her knowledges in workshops and courses 12 years ago. Whilst in Ukraine, she has worked with Swarovski and Preciosa and has created designs for the likes of Coca Cola, Schwarzkopf, L’Oréal and Windows to name a few. Aliona is exited to offer embroidery workshops for beginners at Norden Farm. She also works within schools and runs workshops for children.

•  29 Apr from £70

Led by Helen D Evans

This is part of a series of workshops being run by Helen D Evans which is suitable for all abilities.

During the workshop you will explore using coils which will be used as decoration to make a bowl.

Cost includes clay, use of materials and x 2 firings and application of a clear glaze.

Work will be fired to Earthenware.

Sat 29 Apr
11am - 4pm
A break(s) will be negotiated at the start of the workshop.

£65

Suitable for 18+ years

Please bring with you:
An apron
Any Pottery tools you may have
Sketchbook for ideas / with ideas
Pens / Pencils
A bowl to use as a mould

After the course:
We will arrange a date after the course for collection of work

•  29 Apr from £65

Norden Farm Markets take place on the first Saturday of every month.

They are (mostly) outdoor markets, held under the Linhay barns - a nod to our history as an ancient dairy farm.

The Norden Farm Markets are unique. There's a Cafe Bar onsite, accessible toilets (with baby changing) and a programme of activities from cinema to classes. Stallholders sell inspiring artisanal produce ranging from arts and crafts to food and snacks.

Upcoming Dates: Sat 1 Apr | Sat 6 May | Sat 3 Jun | Sat 1 Jul | Sat 5 Aug | Sat 9 Sept

12pm - 4pm | Entry is FREE

April stallholders include: KaNa Homecooked, Ultrakriti, Flamingo Paperie, Poppy's Bakes, Ging's Things, From Tree 2 U, Halo Apothecary, OPTALIS ArtAble, bakedbyluz, The Three Bears Bakery, Red, Blue and Green, Anton Hazelle Ltd, Rocks and Key, Pixie Tiger Art, INDULGE The Collection, Candleswaxmeltsandmore, The Fairy Toadstool, Izabela Rocks, Moxxi Jewellery and Designs by Emma Louise.

Musician Alfie Griffin will be performing throughout the afternoon. He's a UK singer songwriter who crafts original folk/alternative songs with strong influences from John Martyn, Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix.

Visiting the market is the perfect Saturday. Shop in the market for unusual, hand made, delicious items and then take in a film or recline with a coffee in our Café Bar where there are plenty of books and games to keep the little ones happy.

In the Summer our night markets are French inspired, complete with long banqueting tables (bring your own tableware) and live music. This year’s Summer night markets are: Sat 1 July, Sat 5 Aug and Sat 9 Sept. We also present special Christmas markets in November and December.

Dogs are very welcome, outdoors at the Norden Farm Markets and there’s always fresh water out for them.

Parking spaces are reserved for blue badge holders and the whole site is accessible.

Stallholders

If you are interested in having a stall at the Norden Farm Markets - fill in the online application form. We have 2 types of pitches available - covered areas under the Linhay (stallholders provide their own trestle tables) and Gazebo pitches. You can drive right up to you pitch on hard standing - so the set up and take down is blissfully simple and doesn’t require lugging!

Quotes

★'Thank you for having our stall today, had a fab day, met some fab people, great first day back, can't wait for the next one, from all of us at ReRe's Soaps & Scents'

★'It was lovely. I'll be back next time. Thank you for organising Norden Farm!'

★'Absolutely amazing afternoon at @nordenfarm! Thanks to all who came to support us. Looking forward to the next one. #maidenhead #localmarket #supportlocal'

★'My daughter and I really enjoyed the Norden Farm Outdoor Market yesterday, exploring the various food and craft stalls on offer and taking home one or two tasty treats. It was a fantastic chance to support some great local businesses from around Maidenhead. The Norden Farm cafe was also open to enjoy. I would definitely recommend popping down next time if you can make it'

★'Setting up for today’s Jubilee market at @nordenfarm. Fantastic atmosphere, thanks to all for organising and attending. The music was fab and we all had a great time!'

•   6 May FREE
•   3 Jun FREE
• 3 more dates...