NOVEMBER 2025 - Constructing and deconstructing landscape - Mixed media semi abstract - Higham Hall
—
Higham Hall, Cumbria
Studio based semi abstract /abstract course to landscape using acrylic inks, acrylic paints, acrylic auxiliaries and mediums together with soft oil pastels and different drawing media (coloured pencils and graphite), aimed at artists experienced and intermediate level artists in practice who want much less representational aspects in their painting style and who want to become much more abstract/semi-abstract in their landscape painting approach.
Sorry, the course is NOT suitable for beginners as techniques taught are likely to be too advanced and I dont want you to be out of your depth, despite your keenness to learn.
On the course we will be using different visual reference material from a number of sources (YOUR OWN sketches, photographs, drawings and so on) with a semi abstract and a leaning towards more abstract and exploritory direction throughout the week. The exciting techniques you will learn and put into practice yourself provide the perfect creative techniques for your own personal creative development after the course too.
A little about Higham Hall
The stunning location at Higham Hall offers a unique ‘country retreat’ atmosphere. Just a stone's throw from the historic market town of Cockermouth and very close to Bassenthwaite Lake. Higham Hall (one of the last truly independent adult education colleges left in the UK) is well placed to explore the dramatic landscape in the Western Lakes.
Complete with an on-site well equipped and modern studio, Higham Hall offers a perfect base for your enjoyable painting holidays, which explore both studio based painting workshops and a morning painting experience (with demo and tuition) outdoors using the direct landscape as inspiration for some future studio work (weather permitting of course).
Introduction
The relaxed and friendly (yet structured) mixed media contemporary painting holiday at Higham Hall will teach you lots of new and exciting techniques with a variety of different drawing media, oil pastels, acrylic inks, acrylic spray paints and acylic paint with auxiliaries (such as gesso, pumice gells and mediums and more), complete with palette knives, brushes, rollers and more throughout your painting course. You will see landscape in a new light, and enrich your creative progress with the materials and techniques for expression in exciting new ways.
A greater depth and meaning in your work will be learnt and a fuller appreciation and understanding how to 'construct a landscape' and then find new and exciting ways to 'de-construct' the landscape to create paintings in a semi-abstract and more 'painterly' and expressive direction.
The media planned to be used on this course is fundamentally 'everything acrylic' including the tools to paint with - knives, rollers, brushes and so on. With the addition of oil pastels and drawing media on different surfaces.
With group demonstrations, one to one tuition throughout the week, everyone will have lots to be excited by and take home with you - not just paintings!
Lesson plan provided by Higham Hall so you know what to plan for and organise in advance - to include your boots, hats and gloves for the outdoor painting morning!
The course is aimed at artists with an intermediate level and above who want to loosen up their style and become more contemporary in their approach with (mostly) acrylic media and oil pastel.
Overview
A relaxed and friendly atmosphere encouraging a great learning experience
Group and one to one teaching sessions throughout the week
Suitable for artists with intermediate + painting experiences (not beginners)
Fully equipped and modern studio for indoor painting experiences - metal easels, drawing boards and lightweight stools for outdoor use
Great local subjects to paint with like minded artists
Further information
With places limited to 10 students MAXIMUM only early booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
For further information and to book please contact the administration team on
Tel: 017687 76276
admin@highamhall.com
Office hours 09:00 to 17:00
Costs
- Full board to include accommodation : £680.00
- Single room with en-suite bathroom (extra per night - £10) : £10.00
- Non-residential : £490.00