LeisureCourses.net – short courses & residential study breaks in great locations

Jacobean and Crewel Work

Through demonstrations and practical participation, working on traditional linen twill fabric and using crewel wools, we will cover a wide range of stitches, including line stitches, filling stitches and detached stitches. We will use Trellis work and shading with the wools to create the traditional rich patterns that are associated with Jacobean and crewel work.

Silk Scarf Painting

This is a beginners course for those who want to learn simple but effective painting techniques on fabric. Monika will teach you how to create ideas for scarf designs and how to apply them to silk or other similar materials.

Drawing for the Terrified

Are you terrified of drawing but have a secret longing to learn how to do it? Then enrol on this course where Richard will guide you through certain processes slowly, gently and step by step. If you follow his 'recipes', you will be amazed at what you will be able to draw.

Felt Teddy Bear Making

Using needle felting techniques and colourful Merino fleece we will create cute teddy bears to keep or give as presents. No experience is necessary and all equipment will be provided. There will be a charge of £5 per person to cover materials used, payable to the tutor. Be prepared to create a family of bears!

How to Write your Life Experiences and Memoirs

We all have a rich treasury of anecdotes to share. But where do you start? Enjoyable exercises will help trigger memories and tell your story in a way that's lively and engaging. Whether you're writing for publication, family and friends, or simply to understand the meaning of your own life, this course will smooth the...

Tai Ji Quan

Tai Ji Quan and Qigong (Tai Chi & Chi Kung) stimulate the mind, balance energy levels and strengthen the immune system. Through practice and exercise, you will feel encouraged by improved vitality and feelings of well being. The work can be adapted to individual fitness and health needs.

Dyeing the Blues

Learn how to prepare fabric using Japanese Shibori resist techniques. After experimenting with stitching, tying, clamping and wrapping techniques you will dye the results with indigo, that most magical of dyes, to produce a range of samples for future reference or to be turned into a unique project.

Vibrant Watercolours – A Taste of India

Immerse yourself in a weekend of vibrant colour and rich pattern. Using bold dyes, watercolours and simple print techniques, we will explore those exotic elements that we associate with India and use them as the basis for creating your own striking and colourful paintings.

Taking Textiles Further

These workshops are for those who have completed City & Guilds courses in textile related subjects to diploma level (or equivalent), who are committed to further develop their own personal creativity within a design-led context. Learners are encouraged to work independently to explore experimental approaches and contextual issues.

Chinese Brush Painting – Mist and Waterfalls

Through tutor demonstrations and one-to-one guidance, beginners will learn the basic skills of landscape painting in free hand style, painting trees, rocks, mountains and waterfalls and mist. More experienced artists will develop and expand skills in all aspects of landscape painting. You will also learn how to mount a picture in the traditional Chinese way.

Woodcarving

These courses take learners from complete beginners to the very advanced through a carefully planned series of projects covering traditional and modern carving styles such as foliage ornament and frame or architectural mouldings, figure and animal carving in the round, lettercutting and abstract sculpture. Design skills are also included. Learners can enrol on single courses...

Japanese Sumi-e – Traditional art form of Japanese ink painting

An introduction to Sumi-e, the ancient art of creating Japanese ink pictures or Japanese brush painting. Traditionally, these paintings feature subjects from the natural world such as flowers and birds. The Japanese experience painting as a form of meditation that brings peace and harmony to the artist and the finished pieces are intended to inspire...

Make an Occasion Hat for a Summer Event

This course will help you complete your outfit for your special event: Ascot, weddings, the Derby etc! These require Occasion Hats - so find your outfit and come along to create your exclusive accessory, from start to finish. You will receive styling guidance on what suits you, along with help to complete your design. Only...

Woodcarving

These courses take learners from complete beginners to the very advanced through a carefully planned series of projects covering traditional and modern carving styles such as foliage ornament and frame or architectural mouldings, figure and animal carving in the round, lettercutting and abstract sculpture. Design skills are also included. Learners can enrol on single courses...

One Day Wine Course

This one day course provides a solid grounding on all aspects of enjoying wine, from how to taste wine and evaluate the quality, to tips for food and wine matching, to how wines age and when they are best to drink. You'll taste 15 great quality wines from around the world including whites, reds, 'fizz'...

Portrait Drawing in Charcoal

Work alongside award-winning portrait artist Peter Keegan on this day course where you will capture unique portrait subjects in charcoal. Using photographs provided by the tutor, or ones you bring with you, you will explore a range of techniques including beginning a drawing, capturing tonal values, facial details and ultimately a likeness.

Bridge – The Weak Twos (Benjamin Acol)

A half-day course practising Benjaminised Acol, the system of weak twos in the majors and strong twos in the minors, which is a very popular convention for players with some experience who want to increase their competitive edge and enjoy the benefits resulting from adding this very competitive tool to their bridge knowledge.

Making Stringed Musical Instruments

A workshop offering the opportunity to construct a stringed musical instrument of your choice with advice and guidance from the tutor. Projects may include guitars, lutes, mandolines, dulcimers and ukuleles. The choice of materials and construction methods will be discussed and advice will be given to complete any unfinished instruments. Please note that costs may...

The Romans in Buckinghamshire

Who were 'the Romans' and what were they doing in Buckinghamshire? Learn about new evidence of local Roman life. Based on sound archaeology, local sites will be explained, to provide a flavour of life and death in this turbulent time.

Introduction to Boat Building

Bobbin Lace Making

Jacobean Tree of Life – Crewel Work Embroidery

Calligraphy with Gaynor Goffe

Bobbin Lace Making

Operas in Dresden

Arts in Residence in Dresden 30th April – 4th May 2016 Hindemith: Mathis der Maler Puccini: Tosca Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro The trip includes: • Return flights from Heathrow and airport transfers in Germany • centrally located hotel • 4 Star **** Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe on B&B basis • Guided city tour • Gala group dinner on the first evening • Top category...

JANÁČEK

Beethoven and the Archduke Rudolph

Furniture Making

Basic Woodworking 1