Our 2026 course schedule is listed below. Click on a date to view a course overview. If you would like to find out more about any of our Course Tutors, please visit our Course Tutors page. For further practical course details and prices, please visit our Art Courses Overview page.
Course Schedule 2026
Mixed Media workshop covering a broad range of media and subject matter with an emphasis on exciting texture effects
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
My painting courses at Dedham Hall are best suited to those who have some painting experience and a re able to tackle painting in a variety and combination of water based media and extend their knowledge and technique in painting landscape subjects.
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
Taking our inspiration from the landscape of 'Constable Country' and the local coast, Chris's friendly and informative tuition will take you from monochrome and watercolour sketches and photos, done on location to finished mixed media and acrylic paintings in the studio. Guidance will be given on maximising the sketching and information gathering process, colour, composition and guides to mixed media approaches and techniques.
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain's best known watercolourists through his instructional DVD's made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain's artists at teh 2nd Quingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the (very popular) use of pen-and-ink and wash.
Painting Oils - Working in the studio from Portrait, the figure and Still Life. Roger will show you how to work from tonal planes of teh face and human form, seeing shapes as shapes rather than just documenting features. By this method you will be able to get a likeness quickly, directly and with a painterly effect. Most sessions will have two models #(see booking form)
Developing outdoor sketches and photos into impressionistic and colourful paintings, using acrylics and / or water based oils. We will be using palette knives as well as brushes, to add texture and dynamic effects to your paintings. This weeks course will help you to loosen up your style and become more confident with colour choices. My focus is on individual development and confidence building at your own pace and is for all levels.
Drawn to Botany
Watercolour John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain's best known watercolourists through his instructional DVD's made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain's artists at the 2nd Quingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the (very popular) use of pen-and-ink and wash.
Watercolour course - This course offers the opportunity to get your watercolour painting underway along the coast and in the countryside of East Anglia. Steve will start with an introductory talk on how to plan your work and produce pictures that are both dynamic and exciting. Weather permitting, the group will visit locations around Dedham Hall to paint both coast and countryside. Typical of these will be Pin Mill, Stoke by Nayland, Lavenham, Woodbridge and other locations within easy driving distance of Dedham Hall. If the weather is not good, painting will be in the studio from supplied photographic reference or from pictures that course members have brought with them. Each morning there will be a demonstration and then, under careful guidance, course members will produce two pictures during the remainder of the day.l allow course members to produce both colourful
Be brave and have fun with watercolour. In this workshop students will work with the tutor to articulate their own vision and particular challenges. The intention is to meet each individual exactly where they are and to support them in the production of work in the classroom that expands their practice in a personal way. The format will lean heavily in individual instruction and will also include lecture and discussion and demonstrations of particular techniques. A step by step process will begin with a fast foundation painting and will end with final approach options that are easy to learn and thought provoking. Unearth fresh and honest art inside yourself and learn to capture it with paint. Herman will teach you to find originality in your own work. Learn to get started with new ideas in a way which is fun and fast. You will learn about colour mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, thickness and and edges to create an impressionist painting you never thought possible with watercolour. We will be exploring landscapes, seascapes focusing on various techniques. Expect to be challenged, to be brave and to have fun. Students are encouraged to bring their own images (no other artists) to work from and previous work for Herman's appraisal.
The course is based on the gathering of resources through drawing, colour observation and photographs on site, followed by the building up of finishes paintings in the studio. Lynda’s teaching emphasizes the importance of a sound understanding of the use of tone, scale, composition and colour to create exciting and dynamic work. This offers the best opportunity to portray the beautiful local environment of Dedham whatever the weather and in either watercolour or acrylics.
Be brave and have fun with watercolour. In this workshop students will work with the tutor to articulate their own vision and particular challenges. The intention is to meet each individual exactly where they are and to support them in the production of work in the classroom that expands their practice in a personal way. The format will lean heavily in individual instruction and will also include lecture and discussion and demonstrations of particular techniques. A step by step process will begin with a fast foundation painting and will end with final approach options that are easy to learn and thought provoking. Unearth fresh and honest art inside yourself and learn to capture it with paint. Herman will teach you to find originality in your own work. Learn to get started with new ideas in a way which is fun and fast. You will learn about colour mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, thickness and and edges to create an impressionist painting you never thought possible with watercolour. We will be exploring landscapes, seascapes focusing on various techniques. Expect to be challenged, to be brave and to have fun. Students are encouraged to bring their own images (no other artists) to work from and previous work for Herman's appraisal.
Flowers and Landscape in Mixed Media
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
Painting Plein Air and capturing the scene in under 2 1/2 hours and producing a painterly and impressionistic painting. Advice will be given on how to select the scene, looking for composition and how to provide the essence of the subject. Also advice will be given on equipment, colour mixing, paint application and the use of brush and palette knife, how to use a pochard box for quick colour sketches and how to travel with a minimum of equipment. Painting outside in oils but bring photographic references in case of bad weather.
Oils, from Sketchbook to Canvas
Painting with Oils, Melanie will show you how to convert your ideas, whether sketches or photographs inti finishes paintings. We shall undertake sketching trips to locations around Dedham Vale before returning to the studio to paint. If the weather is poor, photographic reference will be available in the studio. Melanie will be on hand to ofer one to one support whenever you need it alongside plenty of demonstrations and group critique sessions when appropriate. Oil paint can be supplied at additional £20.00 per person if required. If you prefer to work in Acrylics, this is fine.
John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain's best known watercolourists through his instructional DVD's made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain's artists at teh 2nd Quingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the (very popular) use of pen-and-ink and wash.
Taking our inspiration from the landscape of 'Constable Country' and the local coast, Chris's friendly and informative tuition will take you from monochrome and watercolour sketches and photos, done on location to finished mixed media and acrylic paintings in the studio. Guidance will be given on maximising the sketching and information gathering process, colour, composition and guides to mixed media approaches and techniques.
Watercolour John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain's best known watercolourists through his instructional DVD's made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain's artists at the 2nd Quingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the (very popular) use of pen-and-ink and wash.
During the course, Ian will guide you through the entire process of producing better watercolour paintings. He will show you how to improve the initial drawing of your scene, demonstrate the importance of composition and design, perspective, and how to use colour and tone to give your paintings narrative, atmosphere and impact. Students will be painting en plein air weather permitting, and also working in the studio. Subjects will range from local scenes to anything of interest using photographic references. Working with Ian will provide you with the foundations you need to continue improving your paintings at your own pace.
Warercolour
"There seems to be a never ending quest to loosen up in Watercolour. I hear it from my students all the time. It's easy to fall into the trap of putting too much into your paintings, and editing out the non essential, weather working from photo reference or painting on location is so important. Painting loosly doesn't just 'happen', it comes from gaining a comfort level with your skills and materials over time. However, there are techniques that can speed up this process. My workshop will focus on using value studies from the outset to identify the large shapes of a scene. These large shapes provide the artist with opportunities for lost edges when painting in watercolour, which is essential if we are to take advantage of the medium. Too often the 'found edges' or details, take over the painters thinking process, and the result is a tight watercolour. We will move on towards colour paintings with a lot of individual help, and complete a colour painting lesson together. Demonstration paintings will be done by Andy every day to reinforce the days lesson. In order to loosen up it is imperative to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish with your painting and then execute it quickly. This class will give you the tools and confidence to do just that."
Watercolour course - This course offers the opportunity to get your watercolour painting underway along the coast and in the countryside of East Anglia. Steve will start with an introductory talk on how to plan your work and produce pictures that are both dynamic and exciting. Weather permitting, the group will visit locations around Dedham Hall to paint both coast and countryside. Typical of these will be Pin Mill, Stoke by Nayland, Lavenham, Woodbridge and other locations within easy driving distance of Dedham Hall. If the weather is not good, painting will be in the studio from supplied photographic reference or from pictures that course members have brought with them. Each morning there will be a demonstration and then, under careful guidance, course members will produce two pictures during the remainder of the day.
Flowers and Landscape in Mixed Media
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
This course is for anyone who has tried watercolour and been disappointed with their painting. Teaching will be by watching demonstrations, but you will also receive individual guidance according to your experience. The emphasis will be on painting fresh, lively watercolours in a simple, straightforward way - tricks and shortcut gimmicks are not a feature of this cours4e. The aim is to capture the essence of teh scene and preserve the elusive properties of watercolour which many of us find attractive.
Drawn to Botany
Acrylic Course - Steve is delighted to offer this exciting studio-based course once again at Dedham Hall. This vibrant medium will allow course members to produce both colourful and spectacular pictures of both coast and countryside. There will be an initial introduction from Steve where he will introduce his chosen materials, followed by a demonstration. This demonstration will include design and mark making and how to put these concepts together to produce dynamic work. Each following day will begin with a demonstration from which course members will produce their own rendering of the same subject. The remainder of the day will be free to paint from supplied photographic reference, assisted by Steve as and when necessary. Course members should be able to complete at least two finished pictures each day of a size and subject to suit them personally.
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
Richard will start with an introductory talk on his approach to watercolour painting followed by a demonstration of his style and an introduction of his chosen materials. This demonstration will also include design and mark making and how to put these concepts together to produce dynamic work. Each following day will begin with a demonstration by Richard from which coursee members will produce their own rendering of the same subject. The remainder f the day will be free to paint from supplied photographic reference assisted by Richard as and when necessary. Course members should be able to complete at least two finished pictures each day of a size and subject to suit them personally
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
Portraiture, own choice of medium
Carole is a popular and experienced tutor who will help to demystify the process of portrait painting for you. We start with a “warm up” day to improve observation and drawing skills, studying proportions, structure, the features, getting a likeness and skin tones.
On subsequent days we will be working from models, starting with several short poses before going on to paint or draw a longer pose in watercolour, pastel or acrylics – your choice. At the end of each day there will be an appraisal to evaluate the day’s work.
Going Wild in Watercolour
Learn to paint bold loose animals and willdlife with the Artist Magazine's Jake Winkle. Via paint and follow demonstrations Jake will guide you through some of his techniques and visions to capture the spirit and energy of his subject. All reference photos will be supplied by the tutor and don't worry about your drawing ability as tracing options are provided.
A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium. We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic-composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme. This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.
Studio works in Oil working from photos and developing up pictures from smaller studies with a possibility of working from Still Life or Portrait. Covering all oil techniques.
Going Wild in Watercolour
Learn to paint bold loose animals and willdlife with the Artist Magazine's Jake Winkle. Via paint and follow demonstrations Jake will guide you through some of his techniques and visions to capture the spirit and energy of his subject. All reference photos will be supplied by the tutor and don't worry about your drawing ability as tracing options are provided.
A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium. We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic-composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme. This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.
The course starts with lunch at 12.30 pm on Sunday 27th October
The aim of this course is to encourage confidence in watercolour through understanding the techniques that apply to this wonderful and exciting medium. We will work in the studio and also the surrounding areas according to the weather and there will be demonstrations in the evenings. The course will be fairly intense with many lighthearted moments!
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium. We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme. This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.
This short course starts with lunch at 12.30 on the first day
mccormackone@icloud.com