FULLY BOOKED
This course is now sold out. If you would like to be notified of similar courses, please email info@yardleyarts.org
We are delighted to introduce a brand new workshop led by the hugely talented Sally Ellis
In this bank holiday weekend workshop, let artist Sally Ellis inspire you to create your own contemporary still life paintings using acrylic paints and inks in our stunning art centre.
Sally will guide you through her unique process which will encourage you to be playful, expressive and brave which you can then adapt accordingly in your own painting.
At the end of the weekend, you will have created up to 2 paintings on artist quality acrylic paper on cradled wooden panels.
So expect to make a mess, explore and let your imagination run wild with inks, acrylic, pencils, crayons and best of all - scrapers and sand paper!
“It’s hard to put into words just how empowering it has been to learn at the messy table of Sally Ellis. I joined her art class on a dreary September evening in 2021 and have not looked back”
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Explore mark making, colour blending and unconventional techniques that will enable you to reshape your approach to art
Rely purely on your imagination and memories, working intuitively to find something within the layers
Build textural and emotive depth by sanding and scraping away layers of paint, revealing often unforeseen (but delightful!) narratives
Comprehend the fundamentals of colour theory and composition, allowing you to create a harmonised palette and understand how one little spark can ignite a composition
WHO IS IT FOR
Adults who are interested in producing a contemporary still life painting, have the desire to be creative but haven’t picked up a brush since school, have artistic experience and would like to learn new techniques or have tried using acrylics but gave up.
If you crave a weekend away painting, would like to try painting in a less formal, fussy way, or have seen Sally’s work and are intrigued by her process, this course is for you.
what is included
All equipment and materials
Delicious lunches, tea, coffee, cakes & mid-morning snacks
what do i need to bring
Old clothes or an apron (please note that acrylic in and paint are notoriously stuibborn on clothing)
dates
4 & 5 May
10am - 5pm
£350 per person
how to book
Booking is made direct through Yardley Arts. You can email bookings@yardleyarts.org or book online below.
Places are limited to 10, so book early to avoid disappointment
“Sally is an inspirational art teacher. Her own work is fabulous and so she is a great role model. Her teaching methods give even the most nervous students confidence to get painting, even if they have never picked up a brush before”
about the tutor
Sally Ellis is a contemporary artist from Bewdley, Worcestershire. She breathes life into everyday still lifes and domestic scenes through her vibrant acrylic paintings, seen through the lens of abstraction. Guided by intuition, she layers, sands, and scrapes paint to reveal beauty in spontaneity. Sally’s work has been collected across the UK since 2006 and has recently earned recognition at prestigious exhibitions like the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Open and the Society of Women Artists Open at the renowned Mall Galleries in London. Sally's art is deeply influenced by her background in nursing, family life, her affinity for vintage pottery, and her enduring admiration for inspirational artists like Shirley Trevena and Mary Fedden RA. Through her work, she explores art's power to transcend perceptions, evoke emotions, and spark untold stories.
Sally shares her passion by teaching in her studio. Her classes are an invitation for both beginners and experienced artists to discover the liberating freedom that comes from shedding expectations and embracing the joy of spontaneity in creative expression.
To find out more about Sally & her work, visit her website, Instagram or Facebook
OUR LOCAL AREA AND ACCOMmODATION
The lovely village of Yardley Hastings is renowned for its character and beautiful countryside. Part of the Castle Ashby Estate, we are surrounded by fields, woods, glorious views, historic architecture and grazing sheep. It is located near to Bedford and Northampton railway stations and 15 minutes from J14 of the M1 so easily accessible from London. It is also just an hour away from Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham.
People come from far and wide for our renowned local walks https://northamptonshirewalks.co.uk especially around Castle Ashby, where Lord and Lady Northampton have recreated the historic Falcon Inn as a boutique hotel and luxury wellness retreat, offering wild swimming, yoga and other relaxing services. It also has a fine dining restaurant and a stunning lounge bar. For those seeking a real weekend retreat, they have kindly offered a special discount (to best available rates) to our students from 4th to 6th May.
For 1 or 2 night stay, enter code YARDLEYARTS for a 10% discount
For a 3 night stay, enter code YARDLEYARTS3 for a 15% discount
The promotion codes should be entered once on the bedrooms booking page of www.thefalcon-castleashby.com and the rates offered will reflect the Yardley Arts discount.
Yardley Hastings has two treasured and much frequented pubs, The Rose and Crown https://www.roseandcrownbistro.co.uk and The Red Lion http://theredlionyardleyhastings.co.uk -do book ahead as they are very popular.
Olney is our local market town, less than 4 miles away, it’s a stunning Georgian town, bustling with great shops, restaurants and pubs, some with accommodation including https://www.bullhotelolney.co.uk
There is accommodation here and in surrounding villages - just look up www.airbnb.co.ukand search for Yardley Hastings
How to find us
By Train - our nearest train stations are within one hour’s train ride from London stations:
London St Pancras to Bedford Station (a further 25 mins by taxi) or Wellingborough Station (a further 15 mins by taxi)
London Euston to Northampton Station (a further 15 mins by taxi) or Milton Keynes (a further 25 mins by taxi)
For contact details, a map, directions and car parking see here