Demonstrations are free for members   and they may bring along a guest for a fee of £5. Workshops and Trips are worked out at cost, to members and guests can attend trips if requests are made to The Programme Manager via the Society's email.

Special Ticketed Events for Members and their guests:  We run several extra social events during the year, which are ticketed and charged at a subsidised rate. During 2025 we had a BBQ  and a Christmas Lunch in December.

Looking at Art and Demonstrations 2026

Thursday 16th April Monthly Demonstration

by Sue Chatterton: Loose watercolour: African Animals

Sue paints in watercolour, she states that she is addicted to watercolour and thius inspires to share her passion for the medium. Her favourite genres are animals and portraits.

Starting at 7pm at Holy Trinity School CV37 9QN

Thursday 30th April Looking at Art with

Tony Mawbey: TITANS OF VENICE

TITIAN, TINTORETTO and VERONESE

At the dawn of the 16^th century Raphael and Michelangelo were busy in the Vatican and Leonardo was an old man. The stage was set for the emergence of the next generation of master artists, this time in Venice.

Titian was born around 1490 and became the first artist to make his name, eventually becoming the undisputed master of the Venetian art world. However, two artists half Titians age, would soon challenge his dominance - Tintoretto and Veronese - and together these three masters took Venetian art to a whole new level.

Their early careers followed in the styles of their predecessors but they developed work renowned for vibrant colour with animated figures, a style which became known as mannerism.

This talk will take us through their work and also cover the pigments used to make the colours, what they were and where they came from.   

18th April Workshop

Estelle Robinson: Charcoal and Pastels

10am – 4pm

At Shottery Memorial Hall Art Studio.

CV37 9BL

£47

Following several very successful workshops, we are delighted to welcome back Estelle Robinson. She is an amazing tutor and you can be guaranteed to go home with an art work you are proud of.

In this session, participants will explore the versatile nature of charcoal to capture the impact and movement in this image. We will begin by experimenting with various charcoal types and mark-making techniques on different surfaces, allowing you to get a tactile feel for how this fluid medium handles.

For the main piece we will be ​using a combination of willow and compressed charcoal, we will block in the foundational structure and then refine the piece with charcoal pencils for detail, finishing with a splash of pastel for colour. The result will be a powerful study in texture, impactful colour, and atmospheric energy.

All art materials will be provided.

Refreshments are provided but bring your own mug and your lunch.

25th April and 9th May  Workshop

(2 half days - 1.30pm-4pm)

Sarah Miles - Textured acrylic

 At Shottery Memorial Hall Art Studio, Hathaway Lane, CV37 9BL

£45 includes both sessions.

After last year's fun and experimental workshop on playing with textures, we have asked Sarah back.

Join Sarah Miles on two afternoons, exploring textures with acrylics, and blending abstract backgrounds with more realistic florals, plants, and still lifes (your choice!) Sarah will be showing you how to build up a beautiful, layered background using materials like stencils, gesso, objects found in nature and around the house, and even elements of your subject. If you have old pieces of work that you don’t know what to do with, you can also bring them along and explore ways of incorporating pieces of those into your artwork. In the second afternoon, we will learn to draw and paint our main subject on top, and find out how to let elements of your background shine through your main subject. This way of working is a great way to build up meaning and personalise your artwork. Sarah will be most likely working on a floral piece, and include some elements to personalise it or link it back to some folklore (it’s just what she likes to do!)

Please bring with you:

A canvas (Sarah suggests approximately A3 to A2 in size)

Acrylic paints

Brushes, water pots, palettes and kitchen towel

Charcoal/ chalk and fixative (or you can draw with your paint and brush if you prefer)

Reference images of your chosen subject (if you’re stuck, Sarah will have a folder of references for you to look through on the day). Please remember, a good contrast in light and dark areas can be helpful.

Any materials you might like to explore using as a way to build up textures, e.g. leaves to print with, sticks to draw with, stencils and stamps… anything! Sarah will also bring lots of materials for you to help yourself to, so don’t worry if you’re stuck.

Here is a picture of the horse Sarah worked on in the last workshop on this subject, so you can have some idea of what to expect!

16th May Workshop:

Richard Crabtree: Pen and Wash Crabtree

10am – 4pm

At Shottery Memorial Hall Art Studio.

CV37 9BL

£37

This workshop will cover the various options open to the artist with regard to materials, style and process using some landscape and wildlife images as subjects.

Richard will demonstrate the way in which he uses pen and wash to sketch and familiarise himself with a subject and explain how different results can be achieved using various inks, pens and watercolour.

 A professional artist, Richard has lived and worked in Worcestershire for many years. After studying at Bournville College of Art he had a career within the commercial graphic design industry until 2004 when he committed to becoming a full-time, professional artist and tutor. He holds regular weekly drawing and painting classes as well as teaching privately and demonstrating to art societies around the country. Although he teaches a wide range of subjects and mediums his passion is, and always has been, to draw and paint pictures of local wildlife and its environment in watercolour and oil paint. He is a member of various societies including the Birmingham Watercolour Society,The SAA and TWASI (The wildlife Art Society International).Through his art he hopes promote awareness of the beauty and fragility of nature and the importance of conservation now and for future generations.

Material List for Pen and Wash Workshop

Paper:Any sketchbook or general cartridge paper of any preferred size( I use A5, A4 and A3)

Pencil :Any, e.g. HB, 2B, 3B ( Personal preference for drawing )

Putty rubber

Ink:permanent and/or water-based ink ( Black or Brown)Pens_You could get by with a black biro but any or all of the following can be used:Biro (black). Black or brown permanent pen of various sizes, Dip pen

Any basic set of watercolours and brushes

Water pot and kitchen towel

23rd May Workshop:

Andrew Barrowman ARBSA PS: Oil Landscapes

10am – 4pm

At Shottery Memorial Hall Art Studio.

CV37 9BL

£42
  We will use the ‘alla prima’ technique where the painting is done wet into wet in one session - ‘first time’. We will cover the use of different materials, techniques, composition and some colour mixing. 

All abilities welcome 

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught 

● We will discuss different surfaces to paint onto and their different properties. 

● Simplified composition. 

● How to layout your oil painting palette. 

● Which oil painting mediums to use - and when to use them (or not!). 

● Different types of oil painting brushes and their uses.. 

● Split primary palette - warm and cool versions of the primary colours. 

● Alla prima painting techniques. 

Materials Required 

●  A landscape image to work from – urban, coastal or rural, bring several if you’re not sure. Andrew often uses a tablet to paint from, which enables him to enlarge areas easily. 

● Apron or old clothing – to protect your clothes and, importantly, several large cotton rags for wiping brushes. 

● Low odour turps (Zest It or Gamsol are good) and a painting medium such as linseed oil. A large sized jam jar with screw lid for transportation – you will need about half of a jam jar for this workshop. 

● Any oil paint, palette knives, brushes etc that you currently use. 

● Note: I will bring some palette knives for you to try if you don’t have your own and also will bring some basic paint colours in case you forget a tube or two but please bring any you already have. 

● A palette for mixing your oil paint – Andrew uses glass but primed plywood is good or disposable tear offpaper is ok. 

● 2 small to medium sized primed canvases or boards (remember you have to take it home whilst wet - Andrew has a good method for this which he will show you!). The surface can be white or primed with a ground colour such as burnt sienna or yellow ochre. 

● Don’t forget you will need to transport your wet painting back with you so bring something that you can carry it in, or put it on if travelling by car. Clean pizza delivery boxes are good! A plastic bag is  fine for transporting a wet palette home. 

27th June Workshop:

PASTELS PLEIN-AIR Workshop with Charli

10am – 4pm

At Luddington Village Hall.

CV37 9BL

£45

Join local and experienced tutor Charli, for a dynamic and inspiring one-day workshop exploring the expressive power of soft pastels.

Weather permitting, we will be working outside in nature. However, we have the use of Luddington Hall as a base and in case of inclement weather.

Whether you’re completely new to pastels or looking to build confidence, Charli will guide you through core techniques, from smooth base blending, to building layers and adding final details, as you create a finished piece inspired by skies, water, and natural elements like wildflowers.

Along the way, you’ll also explore how different papers, pastel brands, and fixatives affect your results, and learn practical advice for framing your finished work.

Charli’s love of soft pastels stems from their immediacy and accessibility, and she’s passionate about helping artists at all levels achieve beautiful results.

Expect a day full of colour, creativity, and encouragement.

No prior pastel experience needed - just curiosity and a willingness to explore.

18th July Workshop:

Paul Weaver: Water Mixable Oils: Summer Landscapes

10am-4pm

Shottery Memorial Hall, CV37 9BL

£49

Following on from his recent demonstration in June, Paul will focus on techniques for capturing an impression of the scene directly and quickly, a process often known as 'Alla Prima’. Perfect for working out doors, it allows you to finish a painting in one session while managing the slow drying time of the paint, keeping brushwork lively and colours clean.

Water Mixable Oils have all the qualities of traditional, spirit based oils, but are easier for washing up and without the smell, ideal for studio group practice. If you would rather use traditional spirit base oils, please ensure your thinners are odourless.

Equipment List:

Summer Landscapes in Water-Mixable Oils

Water Mixable Oils have all the qualities of traditional, spirit based oils, but easier for washing up and without the smell, ideal for studio group practice. Paul will focus on the essentials of painting skies, trees, foliage and water, while managing the slow drying time of the paint and keeping colours clean.

DRAWING EQUIPMENT A4 Cartridge sketch pad and 4b pencil or charcoal Oil Paints Paul will be using W&N Artisan water mixable oils, but Cobra is another reputable brand. The Art Society will have a set of paints available for you to use so you can try them or use any colours you do not have yourself.

Paul’s Essentials: French Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre, Naples Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Burnt Sienna and Titanium White. If you have other colours you would like to try, then please bring them along.

Palette To mix your paints on - Tear-off Paper palettes are very good, 12” x 16” is a useful size.

Brushes Short Flat brushes (synthetic hair, designed for acrylic and Water Soluble Oils) - Size 12 or larger for blocking in and an 8 and 4 for the rest. A size 4 round nylon brush with a good point is handy for final details.

Support I recommend working on board. Primed Canvas boards are available from all good art suppliers. I recommend the primed Loxley boards from Bromleys, Cass Art or Jacksons. Alternatively, mount board, MDF or thick card is also excellent, but will require a few coats of White Acrylic Gesso before painting on. Allow for 2 studies, 10” x 14” is ideal when learning.

Easel You will need something to hold your board firmly while painting - a table top easel or Pochade Box if you have one and prefer to sit, or a standing easel. Note: there are plenty of standing easels in the studio.

REFERENCE Some reference will be available, but please feel free to bring photos of simple summer landscape subjects. Trees, distance, a farm track or simple barn, a river, sunlight and shadows if you have them.

Useful Extras

A large water pot for final washing of brushes. Low tack masking tape. Plenty of old rag &kitchen towel to wipe brushes on and take paint off with if required. Overalls or apron -remember that oils can get messy, so please protect your clothes!

Getting your work home

Oil paint can stay wet for up to a week if applied thickly, so plan how you will travel home. Wet panel carriers are an option, search online for these, or it might be easier to put an old sheet or newspaper over the back seat or boot of the car.

© Paul Weaver 2026

International Watercolour Masters Elite Art Exhibition 17th May Lilleshall Shropshire

 
Staged at the beautiful Lilleshall Hall the show is a unique event, bringing together the best Watercolour Artists from across the globe. This is the only watercolour event of its kind, in the UK. Not only will it be possible to view the exhibition but there are also 3 demonstrations a day.

The Art Market, run by Bromley, will be stocked with quality art supplies throughout the event. All live demonstrations are included with your day ticket.

There are on-site restaurants, cafes, Italian gardens, nature trails, disabled access, and free parking, it’s a fantastic day out.

Demonstrations on the day

David Bellamy – 11AM

Michael Solovyev - 12:30PM

Nicolas Lopez - 2PM

Cost £30 Entry tickets included in the price

Depart Henley 8. 15 am                                          Return Lilleshall 4.00

Rother St., 8.45 am                                               

Holy Trinity School 9.00 am                                    Arrive Holy Trinity School 6.00

Arrive Lilleshall 11.00

In BLOOM, How plants changed our world

Ashmolean Museum Oxford. Sunday 12th July

What do we really know about the plants and flowers in our gardens and window boxes?

Beyond their beauty, many have hidden histories – tales of exploration, obsession, and knowledge.

This major new exhibition takes visitors on a journey from Oxford to the farthest corners of the world and back, uncovering the global stories behind some of Britain’s most beloved blooms – from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies.

Featuring over 100 artworks and objects, including drawings, paintings, rare prints, and ceramics, In Bloom explores our changing relationship with the natural world.

From the fascinating stories of curiosity and ingenuity of early plant explorers to the networks that shaped global trade, this exhibition reveals how the pursuit of exotic plants transformed landscapes, economies, and cultures, leaving a legacy that still shapes our world today.

Cost £45 Entry ticket included in the price

Depart Henley 8.45 am           

Rother St., 9.15 am                                              Holy Trinity C of E Primary School 9.30 am

Arrive Ashmolean 11.00am

Return from Ashmolean 4.00pm 

Arrive Trinity School 6.00pm