Aimed at beginners or those new to painting, this course is about starting to sketch and learning how to take those sketches back into the studio and develop them into paintings. Supported by a great tutor in a relaxed, playful and non competitive environment.
The course will introduce and guide you into different ways of seeing by exploring drawing techniques and mixed materials before diving into the world of colour.
Christabel will give step-by-step examples, demonstrations and individual tutoring throughout the course. Beginning with observational drawing, both indoors and outdoors, you’ll then take those drawings to be developed further in the studio. During the course you’ll focus on exploring playful ways of working both independently and as a group to build confidence in creating an exciting portfolio of works on paper.
Christabel Forbes is a colourist artist who draws from her reality and memory to discover other worldly, imaginative places. Drawing directly from life is crucial to her practice, which is then explored through printmaking and painting.
Having trained at the Royal Drawing School after taking a BA in Fine Art at Falmouth University, she is currently completing a Fine Art MA at the City and Guilds of London Art School. She has built up a portfolio of residencies and teaching experience in the UK and abroad, based on her use of colour to depict people and places. In her work, as in her teaching, she tries to maintain a level of playfulness and spontaneity. Christabel, who is currently based in Berkshire, was born in Courbevoie, outside of Paris, in 1991 to parents who are French and British.
“I aim to develop in my students a freedom of mark-making, and to encourage them to extend their artistic abilities through experimentation. ”
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Residential
£995 + VAT (total £1,194) which covers all your tuition, accommodation and food from arrival on Sunday through to departure after lunch on Friday
Non-residential
£715 + VAT (total £858) which includes all tuition, welcome drinks on Sunday and lunch each day.
Payment schedule & cancellations
A 20% deposit will be taken when you book, the balance of fees are due 6 weeks before the course starts. These are non refundable payments. See cancellation policy for more information.
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Sunday
5-7pm Residents arrive
7.00pm non residents arrive
7.00pm Welcome Drinks
8.00pm Dinner
Monday-Thursday
8.30am Breakfast for residents
9.30am Tuition starts in studio
1.00pm Lunch
5pm Tuition ends
7pm Dinner for Residents
Friday
8.30am breakfast for residents
9.30am final tuition session starts
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Course closes
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Item description
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Residential and non-residential spaces available.
Residential option.
Onsite, rooms are single occupancy unless coming with a partner and would like share. Note bathrooms are shared/no ensuite facilities.
Residential fees include all your food, accommodation and tuition from arrival on Sunday from 5pm hrough to departure on Friday after lunch.
More info on our residential facilities can be found here.
Non residential option
Include welcome drinks on Sunday, tuition and lunch.
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Description text goes here
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We are based in the South West of England in Devon near the banks of the River Dart.
Our address is Coombe Farm Studios, Dittisham, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0JA [What3words:
What3words: fulfilled.exploring.branching
By Car >: We have plenty of free onsite parking.
By Train > The nearest station is Totnes then we can arrange lift shares or send taxi details. We are about 20 minutes from the station.
International > Our nearest airports are Exeter, Bristol and London (with direct trains from London > Totnes as above) so you’d need to fly into one of those airports then get the train to Totnes and taxi to Coombe. The Trainline is good for booking your rail tickets in the UK.
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Description text goes here
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I really am a beginner will I be out of my depth?
The course is designed for you and is non competitive and will take you step by step so you can progress at your own pace.
I’d like to stay in the area before/after the course, do you have any recommendations?
Both Totnes and Dartmouth are nearby and really lovely towns so worth visiting. See the town links for recommendations of what to do and where to stay.
I have dietary requirements/food allergies can you cater for those?
Yes no problem at all, once you have booked onto the course you’ll get a link to provide us with your dietary and access requirements.
I have a partner that would like to come with me but not paint is that possible?
Yes there’s a charge of £350 if they want to stay with us during the course but not paint/take part in the tuition. When you book just add that you would like a double room and a partner place in the ‘access’ requirements section. We will then make arrangements for you and invoice accordingly. That payment will be due three weeks before.
Can I arrange a taxi/lift share from the train station?
Yes once you’ve booked you’ll get details about how we can do that for you. You will also get a registration pack with local taxi numbers.
Do I have to share a bedroom?
No all our rooms are for single occupancy unless you are coming with a partner and wish to share.
Any other queries?
Give us a ring on 01803 722 352
BOOK YOUR PLACE
RESIDENTIAL Total course price is £995 + VAT = £1,194 - 1st payment on booking is £239.00
NON RESIDENTIAL Total course price is £715 + VAT = £858 - 1st payment on booking is £171.00
Course takes place from 7-12th March 2027
Your 1st payment/deposit is non refundable and not transferrable to any other courses*
The balance of fees are due six weeks before the course starts and you will be invoiced for that payment.
*You have a 14 day cooling off period, if you pay the first payment and cancel within 14 days you will receive a full refund for that payment. Thereafter it is non refundable.
We strongly advise you to take out adequate travel insurance in the event that you are unable to attend.
Dylan Bowen. Making and decorating dynamic slip decorated earthenware - During this course Dylan will demonstrate and teach various techniques based on his own work.