Bobby Britnell

A. FACE to FACE COURSES

OTTOMAN STITCHNESS with Amanda Clayton         

29/30 April                                         £150

This workshop is based around a collection of Ottoman textiles purchased in the mid-eighties from the island of Crete. Their unique combination of stitches, and relationship of ground to stitched mark will inspire your own personal journey of thread and cloth.  Cross stitch, gold thread work, pulled work, outlining and ‘filling in’ all have their role to play. A rare workshop taught in colour by Amanda who will share her obsession about these qualities of ‘oldness’ and the importance of informing ourselves through history and tradition, combined with our contemporary response.

PHYSICAL MARK-MAKING/VISUAL TEXTURE with Alex McIntyre        

9/10/11 June                                      £225

Responding to the Shropshire landscape, this course will encourage you to use physical and experimental drawing processes to find freedom, joy and playfulness in the creation of new work. You will use metal kidneys, sticks, squeegees, brushes, acrylic gesso, paint, various acrylic mediums, charcoal, pencils, sandpaper, and wire wool on paper. Working both outside and in the studio, you will be encouraged to work quickly, intuitively, and responsively. Use physical texture as an essential part of the drawing process, consider layers, and visual texture including engraved, carved, glossy, smudged, and eroded marks. Take creative risks, have fun, reflect and feel your drawings and their presence in the world through your body as well as your eyes.

STITCHED PICTURES with Dorothy Tucker          

31 July/1 August                                £150

Kantha is a Bangladeshi word for cloth and a particular way of stitching embroidered quilts made from the good parts of old worn-out saris. Old traditional kantha feature a wealth of images eloquently drawn with running stitch. These images are filled in with pattern and colour and then surrounded with the rippling quilted textures unique to kantha. Dorothy will show you some traditional and contemporary examples and will lead you into stitching a kantha based on your own designs.  Fruit and flowers, leaves and seeds, working tools and everyday objects, birds or animals or fish all provide interesting shapes and a personal story.

WILD FIBRES with Alice Fox                                             

4/5/6 August                                        £225

An introduction to gathering and processing a range of plant-based fibres that grow wild, including nettle, bramble and willow herb. We will gather the relevant plants from the land near to the studio and learn the different ways to extract and process fibre that could then be used for cordage making, soft basketry and weaving. Some of the workshop will be spent outside, whatever the weather. You will produce a selection of fibre and cordage samples and learn about times to gather, process and store your wild fibres. The focus of the workshop is on gathering and processing fibre and aims to open our eyes to the usable fibres that are commonly available to us.

CHINESE WHISPERS with Amanda Clayton         

11/12/13 August                                   £225

This workshop will be informed by Amanda’s collection of vintage collars. Edge, scale, proportion, drape, right side/wrong side, transparency and placement of embellishment are all qualities that these inspirational collars possess. We will move between cloth and paperwork, making connections and relationships whilst exploring trapunto, Italian and English quilting as well as couching, cutwork, inlay and surface stitches. Paring down to neutrals and predominantly tone this experience will nurture plenty of ideas/techniques to explore in colour back in your own working environment. A series of hand stitched personal works will be produced rather than one prescriptive piece.

TEXT…..ile with Matthew Harris                                       

29/30 September 1 October            £350

A project that looks at the calligraphic mark as a creative starting point. Through drawing and sampling we will explore both the narrative and abstract potential of handwritten text, and develop exciting new visual ideas about form, pattern, scale, shape and structure within textiles. Matthew delivered this course some years ago now and it is one that I can recommend. It will get you thinking in new ways but also with opportunities of applying ideas to your current working practise. An excellent and stimulating 3 day course.

 

B. ONGOING COURSES

BOBBY BRITNELL        Drawing and Painting

Art courses offering insight into innovative art projects, exploring many ways of using techniques and mixed media. Critique of work, artist research, lively discussion are essential parts of each session. Join us and work in this stimulating environment.

See website for these dates. www.bobbybritnell.co.uk

Moor Art 1    Wed: 6 sessions fortnightly            £35 per session payable in advance for the course = £210

Moor Art  2   Weekends: 3 weekends monthly £70 per weekend payable in advance for the course = £210

 

C.  SELF-STUDY COURSES by Bobby Britnell

All at £25 for 2023

My self-study courses are a series of inspirational courses which I’ve adapted so you can work at your own pace and in your own time. Courses come with detailed notes, instructions and illustrations and include a number of sessions. Although untutored, I will always respond to questions and queries via email, and I would love to see images of what you are doing. Bookable on my website: www.bobbybritnell.co.uk

 

D.  ON-LINE COURSES by different tutors

I shall be offering more on-line courses throughout the year. Please, keep checking my website for when these become available or sign up for my newsletter to hear as soon as these courses are available and the prices.

https://www.bobbybritnell.co.uk/news

 

DURATION OF SESSIONS ~ All face to face sessions run from 10.00 to 4.00, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED although on longer courses students are welcome to stay in the studio and carry on working, use the library or relax in the gardens or even explore the surrounding area. Please arrive in time to settle and have a drink.

LUNCH BOX ~ Scrummy lunchboxes can also be provided for all courses except the on-going courses with myself where packed lunches are recommended. You may choose to provide a packed lunch on any of the courses. The studio does have a fridge, microwave and a couple of electric rings, for students use.

ACCOMMODATION ~ Information on recommended places to stay can be found on my website www.bobbybritnell.co.uk    There is also a caravan club site down the lane.

NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST ~ Please let me have your email address if you wish to go onto my mailing list as this is where you will hear about courses as they come up and also see the wonderful work produced.

16 March 2023 ::: posted by Bobby Britnell in courses

FACE TO FACE COURSES IN MOOR HALL STUDIO

7/21 Sept, 3/19 Oct, 2/16 Nov 2022: BOBBY BRITNELL ~ Drawing and Painting £210 for 6 full days

Each term students are introduced to a new project which involves drawing, colour work with wet or dry media and often involves researching the work of master artists. The session are non-threatening, relaxing and fun. 

10/11 Sept, 8/9 October, 5/6 November 2022: BOBBY BRITNELL ~ Drawing and Painting £210 for 6 full days 

As above

9/10/11 June 2022: ALEX MCINTYRE ~ Colour, Presence and Depth £225

Responding to the Shropshire landscape, this course will encourage you to explore the surface and physical presence of a painting. You will use acrylic paint, various acrylic mediums, charcoal, pencils, sandpaper and wire wool on artist panels and heavy paper. Through intuitive play, you will be encouraged to use layers of colour, texture, engraved, carved and eroded marks in your painting. Take creative risks, have fun, reflect and feel your painting and its presence in the world through your body as well as your eyes.

5/6/7 July 2022: ALICE FOX ~ Landmarks, Recording ‘Place’ £210                                                                                                                                   

Explore a range of different methods to record experience of landscape, engaging with the detail of what you find around you. Undertaking a series of short walks from the studio (whatever the weather!), each with a different focus on recording and collecting, you will build up a series of marks, observations and found objects. Through a range of techniques including mark making, rust printing, mono-printing and botanical contact printing you will explore different ways to respond to your ‘collections’ and use them as a basis for artists books and samples, forming a personal record of your experience.

1/2 August 2022: DOROTHY TUCKER ~ Decorative Grids and Border Patterns £150

With traditional and contemporary examples as our source of inspiration we will begin by layering together cotton fabrics to create a cloth which is colourful, soft and lovely to handle (approximately A4 in size) Then using running stitch  to build grids , in a voyage of discovery and invention we will begin to explore decorative border patterns.   Finally, we will enjoy quilting any remaining areas with the rippling textures unique to kantha. The workshop is open to everyone who enjoys hand stitching. It could offer you an introduction to kantha making , another chance to extend your kantha making skills or repertoire of stitches. 

2/3/4 September 2022: AMANDA CLAYTON ~ ‘Quietly Composed 11’ £225

This is a course that will involve creative strategies and processes for recording information using ‘drawing’ both in and out of your sketchbook. We will make regular references to stitch and cloth interpretation and use techniques that can inspire a connection and resonance with textile development. This is for those students who require a greater vocabulary with their drawing, that can have a direct association with the development of their own visual language and their stitch/cloth ideas.  You will go away with greater confidence to look and challenge the world around you as you search and develop starting points for your individual textile practice.

30 Sept,1/2 October 2022: MATTHEW HARRIS ~ ‘Upside Down and Back to Front’ £350

The aim of this workshop is to explore playful ways in which images and visual information can be generated and developed through drawing. By working with individual imagery gathered in sketch books, photographs etc, we will be trying to exploit the potential of sometimes the most simple and mundane scraps of image, mark and shape. Working from a series of sketchbook images, drawings, photographs etc we will explore a number of exercises and processes that will allow you to generate and develop visual information from an apparently simple starting point. By the end of the day you should have a series of images that will form the starting point for the work on day 2, which will be about development and interpretation. The interpretation of these images into textile materials is the final stage of the project, though you may decide to stay with paper. A course to keep you thinking and making.

ON-LINE COURSES HOSTED FROM MOOR HALL STUDIO

6/13/20 Sept, 4 October 2022: MARY SLEIGH ~ ‘Activating the Surface’ £150

During these workshop sessions we shall explore practical and sometimes energetic ways of working on paper and fabric, and adopt a free approach encouraged by the physical nature of applying colour and marks. The aim of the workshop is to build up vibrant, detailed surfaces with depth, using a variety of techniques, building up effects gradually and responding to whatever works best. We shall use the most expressive and unexpected ideas to develop into stitched pieces. To support an experimental approach and discover new ways of working  we shall make reference to the work of some 20th century artists. This is an opportunity to research some unfamiliar artists at whatever level you choose to add another dimension to your ways of working. There will be some preparation before each session to make the most of  the course. You can choose whether to create a series of samples or develop one or more into resolved pieces of work. The schedule will allow for experimentation and time to consider and optimise on the most spontaneous and lively results. Above all it is about being brave and having a go!

8/15/22 Sept, 13/27 October 2022: SARAH BURGESS ~ Chasing Shadows and Reflections £150

Constantly shifting shadows, fleeting images and reflections are our starting points. We will work with personal imagery; such as plant and tree forms, reflections, shadows and light on water or man-made structures as our design starting points. Our teaching sessions together will be spread out over a number of weeks to allow ideas to progress and work to develop in the student’s own time. Following an introductory session of sharing images and discussion, participants will begin to create and record their own disrupted surfaces and experimental shadows following a series of structured exercises. Working with a range of opaque and semi-transparent papers and fabrics we will use mono-type printing to explore positive and negative prints, after- images and layering. We will investigate stitch both as a printing surface and in experimental shadow work using hand or machine stitch. Participants will have the opportunity to produce a range of highly individual and atmospheric pieces culminating in more resolved personal work supported by discussion and tutorials.

31 Oct (introductory session) 3/10/17/24 November 2022: DOROTHY TUCKER ~ ‘Seeds, contained and released’ £140

Dorothy will show you some traditional and contemporary examples which will inspire you to stitch a kantha based on your own designs.    Seed pods, dry flower heads, perhaps the journey of a seed as it is dispersed by the wind, seeds strewn on the ground or seeds found in fruit and vegetables could provide you interesting starting points and wonderful designs for kantha. Kantha is a Bengali word for cloth and a particular way of stitching embroidered quilts from the good parts of old worn sari.  On these quilts a wealth of kantha designs are eloquently drawn with running stitch. These designs are filled with pattern and colour, and then surrounded with the rippling quilted textures unique to kantha.

INSPIRED SELF STUDY COURSES ~ BOBBY BRITNELL

Inspired by Ben Nicholson ~ £20

This course focusses on the work on Ben Nicholson and through research and practical application students will build up a small portfolio of ideas based on their studies. You will explore simple card print blocks and work onto both paper and fabric. The course allows plenty of scope for personal development and the exercises can later be applied to any source material. Ideas can also be explored through fabric and stitch.

Inspired by Tone and Line ~ £20

On this course we will investigate tone and line in a number of ways and explore their uses in design for both art and textiles. Preliminary work will be carried out using a variety of tools, media and surfaces and will form the basis for personal interpretations into larger pieces of work and into cloth and stitch. As with nearly all my courses, artist research will offer further insight into the development of personal ideas around this theme. This course is suitable for all levels of ability.

Inspired by Grids ~ £30

‘Grids’ are a wonderful inspirational source in art and design. Textile artists also use this as a formula for their work. You just need to think of the array of patchwork quilts and other forms of stitched textiles to see the endless possibilities. On this course we will be exploring the grid through a series of creative exercises with follow up suggestions of how this can be taken further into resolved works in both art and textiles. As with all my courses we will reference established and practising artists for further ideas and inspiration.

 

9 May 2022 ::: posted by Bobby Britnell in courses

ALICE FOX
26/27/28 August
Land Marks
£210
Explore different ways to record your experience of the landscape around Moor Hall through mark making, rust printing, mono-printing and botanical contact printing . Develop these as samples and artists books, forming a personal record of your experience.

AMANDA CLAYTON
2/3/4 September
Piecing Patching and Pockets
£210
Using neutrals with an emphasis on extreme contrasts of cloth qualities we will work through both traditional and contemporary ways to join, layer, inlay, trap and patch.

Book either of these courses by going to:
www.bobbybritnell.co.uk
or email:
bobby@bobbybritnell.co.uk

11 March 2020 ::: posted by Bobby Britnell in courses

I am delighted to be able to offer places on three of our Textile Study Group Members course in 2019. If you have missed attending a Summer School, with either Kay, Jean or Alice now is your chance to join them in beautiful South Shropshire. Kay Greenlees and Jean Draper will be offering a three day course and Alice Fox a two day course. I hope you can make one of them.

KAY GREENLEES   3/4/5 May 2019

Inspired by Lace     £195 for 3 days

Working from beautiful historical lace examples (yours or mine), we will explore some of the key visual ideas associated with lace and use simple methods to record these as the starting point for our small-scale workbook. To allow us to concentrate on ideas such as marks and textures we will largely be working in black and white but incorporating some colour to provide interest. We will develop these ideas exploring a variety of paper types and weights, inventing as we go, but always within a structure that offers support as well as plenty of room for individual interpretation. Whether a beginner or an experienced worker there should be some challenges, a bit of fun, and plenty of scope for adapting the ideas for work with fabric and stitch. You will have a small-scale themed sketchbook.

JEAN DRAPER  10/11/12 May 2019

In Detail: Inspiration for stitching from sources hardly noticed.   £195 for 3 days

Many wonderful inspirational design opportunities exist around us if we take time to discover them. The aim of this workshop will be to begin with the study of examples of small details from natural objects, leading to the development of different personal ideas for work in stitched textiles. Structured experimental design exercises, investigating the scope offered by changes of scale, tone, texture and colour, together with demonstrations, will encourage students to choose ways to develop their ideas both 2 and 3 dimensionally. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on making notes and sampling in fabric and thread in order for work to continue later if wished

ALICE FOX   31 Aug/1 Sept 2019

Collecting Colours  £130 for 2 days

Explore techniques for capturing natural colours on cloth and paper, bringing colour, mark and hand stitch together. Using gathered materials and plant matter we will make our own inks and experimental mark-making tools, as well as eco-printing on paper and cloth. We will bring these organic marks together with hand stitch in simple but unique hand made book structures.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In addition to Textile Study Group members I also have an exciting mix of well established tutors, in fact the best of the bunch, coming to Moor Hall Studio to teach in 2019, so maybe one of these courses takes your fancy.

MATTHEW HARRIS   31 May/1/2 June 2019

Chain Reaction – one thing leads to another.    £350 for 3 days

A project exploring the idea of continuity and change through drawing, collage and stitch. Working from a collection of personal objects we will be looking at ways in which abstracted visual imagery might convey, explore and develop the idea of personal language, narrative and history through the interaction of making, materials and process. For this project you will need the following: A collection of personal objects collected by you. They can be anything that you have acquired, inherited or collected. They don’t have to be exceptional objects, they can be ephemeral or throw away but they must be objects that excite you visually. You may or may not use everything but it is important for you to have a selection of materials that you can use should you need to. When selecting your materials it’s worth thinking about the colour palette of the objects that your planning to bring as these will be your starting point for colour.

JEAN LITTLEJOHN   18/19 June 2019

In and out of Focus   £130 for 2 days

On this course we will look at ways of combining stitch, bonded applique and the use of the embellishing machine to create multi layered images. There will be an emphasis on the ways in which the embellishing machine can be used to create a range of effects that work well when toning, linking, blending and ‘ghosting’ images. Sources of Inspiration: Jean will bring some reference that you can use but you may have a special place or building that you would like to explore   Bring any images, drawings, photographs etc. that show aspects of the place. As an example Jean is researching a place local to her with history and special memories and is combining these to inspire her work. She is using historical artefacts, architectural information and natural forms to create new pieces.

JAN BEANEY   17/18 September 2019

Celebrating Hand Stitch – Finding just the right stitch…………   £130 for 2 days

Hand stitching will be the emphasis on this course. Developing exciting surfaces by building up and layering stitches can be most rewarding. Finding the right stitches or stitches to interpret the image or surface selected is the challenge. Initially, we will work some experimental exercises and then progress to creating small, resolved, subtle and/or exquisite embroideries. Decaying surfaces, old walls, pavements, rust, mosses, lichen, grasses, flower centres, rocks, stones, minerals, tree bark could all provide inspiration. Extreme close up images can reveal unusual, fascinating imagery. Those who cannot cope without a sewing machine could select to work a grid/mesh/network of machine stitches on soluble film to support the hand stitches thus creating a unique lace. Sometimes having considered the planned action carefully machining into a hand-stitched surface can emphasis or highlight dimensional qualities.

10 October 2018 ::: posted by Bobby Britnell in courses

3 December 2016 ::: posted by Bobby Britnell in courses

BOBBY BRITNELL Textile Artist and Tutor

We begin 2018 with another fabulous line up of tutors delivering high quality courses. Many of our favourite tutors are returning once again and will be offering new courses, plus I will have one new tutor coming over from Turkey to teach an exciting two day painting course. Courses will be for two, three or four days. I will be continuing with my two drawing and painting workshops, both of which welcome in new students when places become available and any level of experience is welcomed. Ruth Issett is also continuing with ‘Crazy for Colour’ and ‘Colour Investigations’. Crazy for Colour is one day a month and Colour Investigation runs for 2 days every 6 weeks approximately. What all the tutors have in common are great teaching skills and a generosity of spirit. So do sit back with a cup of tea or something stronger and make your choice from the many exciting courses on offer and remember that everything that happens at Moor Hall is through word of mouth, so do pass on the word. If you do not know this part of the country, South Shropshire is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Moor Hall Farmhouse is a 450 year old farmhouse of great historical interest. It is also the second hunting lodge from Clun Castle. The studio is light and well equipped, with facilities for making refreshments and gardens for exploring. The surrounding area is perfect for walking and cycling, drawing and photography.

DURATION OF SESSIONS ~ All sessions run from 10.00 to 4.00, although on longer courses students are welcome to stay in the studio and carry on working, use the library or relax in the gardens or even explore the surrounding area. Please arrive in time to settle and have a drink.

LUNCH BOX ~ Scrummy lunchboxes can also be provided for all courses except the on-going courses with Ruth Issett and myself where packed lunches are recommended. You may also prefer to provide a packed lunch on any of the courses. The studio does have a fridge, microwave and a couple of electric rings, all for students use.

ACCOMMODATION ~ Information on recommended  places to stay can be found on my website www.bobbybritnell.co.uk There is also a site for caravan club members down the lane and camping for the more adventurous in the village.

MAILING LIST ~ Please let me have your email address to go onto my mailing list as this is where you will hear about courses as they come up and also see the wonderful work produced.

BOOKING ~ Please book on line at  www.bobbybritnell.co.uk

 

1. ONGOING COURSES

 BOBBY BRITNELL                      

Drawing and Painting 

Moor Art 1

Wednesdays: fortnightly     

£35 per session payable 6 in advance for the course = £210

Moor Art 2

Weekends: monthly                           

£70 per weekend payable 3 in advance for the course = £210

Art courses offering insight into innovative art projects, exploring many ways of using techniques/media. Critique of work, artist research, lively discussion are essential parts of each session.

See website for these dates. www.bobbybritnell.co.uk

 

RUTH ISSETT                 

Crazy for Colour

 Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10, ~ Sept 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Nov 29

£400 for a 8 session course (£200 + £200)

A challenging course of nine one day sessions through the year, for those with textile experience. Includes in depth exploration of colour and composition on paper and fabric using dyeing/printing/stitch.

 

RUTH ISSETT                 

Colour Investigations

Jan 31/Feb 1, Mar 14/15,  Apr 25/26, ~ Sept 12/13, Oct 24/25, Dec 5/6

£600 for 12 session courses (£300 + £300)

Structured, two day classes using paper/fabric/stitch with print media/dye Exploration of design and pattern applied to fabric, stitch and paper.

 

1. TWO, THREE AND FOUR DAY WORKSHOPS

BOBBY BRITNELL                                             

6/7 April

Everyone can draw                                           

£130 for 2 days

So you think you cannot draw? Come along to this course and be proved wrong. Be shown how to use basic dry drawing media in creating line, tone, space and composition in your work. Leave with the confidence to do more and a set of work you feel proud of.

 

JENNIFER COLLIER                               

16/17 April      

Paper Lampshades                             

£130 for 2 days

Create your own beautiful recycled paper lampshade using lovely vintage papers and by up-cycling existing frames. You will be shown all steps of the process, from how to create a pattern to fit your frame, to how to stitch the papers together to form the shade.

 

MATTHEW HARRIS                                 

27/28/29 April  

TEXT___ile                                                          

£350 for 3 days

A project that looks at the calligraphic mark as a creative starting point. Through drawing and sampling we will explore both the narrative and abstract potential of hand written text, and develop exciting new visual ideas about form, pattern, scale, shape and structure within textiles.

 

RUTH ISSETT                                         

11/12/13 May

Stitched surfaces to dye for                 

£195 for 3 days

Using white or neutral fabrics create variety of stitched surfaces using layers of non synthetic fabric and threads. Then dye paint them, to create rich glowing stitched surfaces.

 

JAN BEANEY                                         

19/20 June

Stitch a Landscape – From Design to Finished Piece

£130 for 2 days

Students will be encouraged to design and create a panel depicting aspects of landscape. After experimentation, the main elements of composition will be drawn or printed on to a ground fabric and developed further with bonding, hand or machine stitching as appropriate.

 

DAVID TRESS                                         

22/23/24 June

Landscape Explorations: Looking and Exploring

£390 for 3 days

A landscape painting course in which you will look at the building blocks which underlie representational landscape painting: light, space, tone colour, perspective, composition. You will consider ways in which an expressive response to landscape might be explored. Course includes demonstrations, studio work, and sketching and drawing in the surroundings of Moor Hall. Tuition will be individual and as a group.

 

BOBBY BRITNELL                                             

30 June 1 July Personal Development                          

£130 for 2 days

Two days for serious students wishing to explore their own personal themes within a creative environment of investigation, observation and discovery. Students will be expected to bring in their on-going work for discussion and development.

 

DOROTHY TUCKER                                

2/3 July    

Kantha – Not Just Old Cloth                  

£130 for 2 days

Explore the ephemeral qualities of old Kantha –  the worn areas, areas patched over and repaired, where the stitching has come away or a design remains  void, the marks and stains etc – to find inspiration for

our own stitched textiles.

 

JEAN LITTLEJOHN                                  

5/6 July

Pattern in Profusion                                

£130 for 2 days

On this course we will develop a joyous cloth and select from a range of techniques including hand, machine, appliqué and the embellishing machine. Our sources of inspiration could include inspiration from other cultures as well as traditional lace (but not as you know it).

 

ROSE SHUTTLEWORTH                          

19/20 July        

Colour/Mood/Imagination/Interpretation       

£130 for 2 days

The power of colour and its use in communicating your interpretation of responses to the beauty of local landscape or that of your inner world: your imagination. A new course to Moor Hall and one for those who enjoy working with paint and colour.

 

AMANDA CLAYTON                                

23/24/25 July

Fragile Forms                                                   

£195 for 3 days

We shall use the qualities of natural objects to develop fragile forms in cloth and hand stitch. The local landscape will also play a part in their transformation. An inspirational course with plenty of opportunity for personal development.

 

ALICE FOX                                             

30/31 Aug 1/2 Sept       

Land Marks                                          

£300 for 4 days

Exploring the wonderful surroundings we will use a variety of ways to record the landscape around us. Using gathered materials in a range of techniques we will make marks that record our experience,  bringing these together into tactile book forms.

BOOKING ~ Please book on line at  www.bobbybritnell.co.uk

5 January 2016 ::: posted by Bobby Britnell in courses