Led by Jo Hall

One of the most inspiring features of our land and cityscape bridges from stepping stones to mighty suspension bridges have caught the imagination of the greatest artists including Turner and Whistler. Starting with the humbler and smallest we’ll explore painting several kinds of bridges in rural and city settings. Please bring your own materials. Some references will be supplied and you will be encouraged to bring your own. Scroll down to find detailed materials info.

Tues 10 Jan - 14 Feb
12.30pm - 3.30pm

£120 per 6-week course

Suitable for 18+ years

Materials info

Please bring the following: choosing whether to work in pastel or watercolour

All artists should bring a drawing board and paper towel, small sketchbook for composition thumbnail drawings and a pencil

For pastel: pastels (and if you have any a few pastel pencils), charcoal, putty eraser or Blu-tack, clips or tape to attach paper, pastel paper A3 or larger, useful but not essential any blending tools or brushes, table easel to keep your board as upright as possible, spray fixative to be used outside only

For watercolour: watercolour paints, palette, watercolour brushes and an old toothbrush, wax candle or clear wax crayon for resist techniques, water jars, small natural sponge, table easel or wooden block to tilt your board at a slight angle, not essential- masking fluid and old brush or applicator.

•   7 Feb
•  14 Feb

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

Please prepare for your visit by reading our latest Visitor Information here. This includes important information about face coverings and measures we have implemented to keep everyone safe when visiting Norden Farm.

•   7 Feb from £12
•   7 Mar from £12
• 1 more dates...

Led by Eiko Ishida

Special workshop for Valentine's day!!

Let's write LOVE ❤ with brush and ink.

This workshop is perfect for those who are interested in trying something new and learning a 6000 year old traditional art. Let's spend a meditative and self-expressive artsy time together!

During this workshop, we will go over the basics of Japanese calligraphy, including

How to hold & control the brush

The structure and meaning of Japanese characters

Basic brush techniques

Expressing yourself with the brush and ink

Everybody is welcome! No calligraphy experience or Japanese language skills are necessary.

Wed 8 Feb
11am - 2pm

£48

Suitable for 18+ years

•   8 Feb from £48

Led by Berkshire Printmakers

Explore silkscreen printing with Berkshire Printmakers, create an original piece of art using paper stencils and our large bank of photoscreens patterns. During the session we will look at transparency, colouring mixing (physical and optical) and create a print you will be proud to have framed on your wall.

Thur 26 Jan & Thur 9 Feb
11am - 2pm

£45 per workshop

Including all materials - no experience necessary. Dress appropriately.

Suitable for 18+ years

•   9 Feb from £45

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

•  11 Feb from £34
•   8 Apr from £34

Join us in half term for crafts inspired by our family shows. The crafts vary so you can create something new at each session.

Tues 14 Feb | 3.30pm
Design and create an articulated woodland character - inspired by the puppets in our family show Breathe. Use collage and coloured pencils to create your own little character to hang in your window.

Wed 15 Feb | 3.30pm
Create an acorn sun catcher using tissue paper, inspired by the little acorn puppet in our half term show Breathe!

Fri 17 Feb | 3.30pm
Make and decorate your own music shaker! Choose from a selection of noisy options such as beads and rice to create your very own sound! Why not bring to shake away at our half term show Concertini?

£5 per person
Suitable for ages 3 - 8 years
All materials provided. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

•  14 Feb from £5
•  15 Feb from £5
• 1 more dates...

Led by Kayleigh Robinson

Design and create your own mirror with mosaic surround using ceramic and glass tiles.

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 15 Feb
11am - 1pm

£45

Suitable for 18+ years

•  15 Feb from £45

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 1 Feb Still Life Drawing
Wed 15 Feb Cloud Decorations
Wed 22 Feb Mini Scented Cushions
Wed 1 Mar Button Bowl
Wed 8 Mar Watercolour
Wed 15 Mar Book Folding Art
Wed 22 Mar Decoupage
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

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)
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.

•  15 Feb from £5
•  22 Feb from £5
• 9 more dates...

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

•  16 Feb from £28
•   2 Mar from £28
• 4 more dates...

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 use hand building techniques to make an orb and transform it into a ceramic bird feeder.

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

Work will be fired to Earthenware.

Sat 18 Feb
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

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

•  18 Feb from £65

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

•  22 Feb from £32
•  22 Mar from £32
• 1 more dates...

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.

•  25 Feb from £70
•  25 Mar from £70
• 1 more dates...

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.

•  28 Feb from £120
•   7 Mar
• 4 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

•   1 Mar from £3
•   5 Apr from £3

Darkness empowers even the faintest light.

With this show of works in oil, I would like to celebrate light; light as hope and life; the relevance of light within darkness.

Using the inspiration of 17th century artists such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt as a starting point, I will present a series of contemporary figurative paintings, each a visual ode to the manifestation of light, and beautiful mystery in what often seems a dark and desolate world.

•   2 Mar FREE
•   3 Mar FREE
• 16 more dates...

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 4 Mar
11am - 2pm
£25 per session

Suitable for 18+ years

•   4 Mar from £25

Join us for our Market.

Browse stalls selling artisanal produce and hand crafted goods. The Café Bar will be open serving lunch (until 3pm), drinks and snacks. The perfect way to do some relaxed shopping on a Saturday afternoon!

Sat 4 Feb, Sat 4 Mar and Sat 1 Apr

12pm - 4pm

Entry is FREE

The Market on Sat 4 Feb will be indoors, so you can keep warm whilst you browse.

Our stallholders include: Marmalove, KaNa Homecooked, Teasel Chocolates, Perfetto, Firefairyart, Handmade by K8, Candle Lion, Bright as a Button Jewellery, Dana Kidson, Grant Forsyth Jewellery, Montagu & Amber, Chadwick-Art, Flamingo Paperie, Velluet Gray, Nomothsallowed, i.am.melc, bakedbyluz, Smashing Glass by Katie, Luxury Chocolates For You by Anton Hazelle Ltd and Pixie Tiger Art.

•   4 Mar FREE
•   1 Apr FREE

Led by Eiko Ishida

What do you think about a Japanese Calligraphy Experience as a gift to your mother for Mother's Day? Or a gift for yourself? Let's spend a meditative and self-expressive creative time together! At the end of the session, you will have your own calligraphy artworks or a lovely card to take home.

During this workshop, we will go over the basics of Japanese calligraphy, including

How to hold & control the brush

The structure and meaning of Japanese characters

Basic brush techniques

Expressing yourself with the brush and ink

Everybody is welcome – no calligraphy experience or Japanese language skills are necessary.

Wed 8 Mar
11am - 2pm

£48

Suitable for 18+ years

•   8 Mar from £48

Led by Jo Hall

Colour mixing exercises followed by a landscape painting.

“I haven’t got the right green.”, “I can’t mix the right green.”, or “This green is unnatural.”, are frequent comments I hear at landscape sessions. This workshop will help you to use primary colours to mix the greens you need and also how to tame some of the fiercer greens in your box to create really useful natural looking greens by mixing with other colours.

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

Please scroll down for info on materials to bring.

Sat 11 Mar
11am - 4pm

£40

Suitable for 18+ years

Materials info: please bring

Paint: watercolour or gouache paints, just bring your usual box of tubes or pans.

A few notes on useful colours that will be demonstrated;

A warm blue like French Ultramarine, a cool blue like Cerulean or Phthalo Blue, a warm yellow like Cadmium Yellow medium or other medium yellow, a cool yellow like Lemon Yellow or Cadmium Lemon, at least one red and one earth colour like Burnt Sienna. We’ll also investigate how to mix and modify other colours including vivid pigments like Phthalo Green to make natural looking greens.

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.

A good sized palette to mix your colours, plastic pipette if you have one.

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 that features a variety of different greens.

•  11 Mar from £40

Led by Kayleigh Robinson

Design and create your own mosaic artwork that can be hung on a wall, using ceramic and glass tiles.

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 15 Mar
11am - 1pm

£45

Suitable for 18+ years

•  15 Mar from £45

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

•  17 Mar from £115
•  24 Mar
• 3 more dates...

Led by Helen D Evans

Brighten up your window sill with some handmade flower pots.

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 make a series of flower pots by initially making a pinch pot / coil pot. We will then explore surface decoration by carving into the clay.

At the end of the course. A choice of glazes will be available for you to select.

After the course. Your work will be bisque firing and your choice of glaze will be applied glaze and re-fired. We will arrange a date after the course for collection of work.

Work will be fired to Earthenware.

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

Sat 18 Mar
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

•  18 Mar from £65

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

•  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 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 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 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