Autumn Workshop Sessions

September is always a busy time for us, planning the Autum and Winter Sessions and the studio diary gets full pretty quickly.

Stewart and I aslo manage to take a week off but this time as ever is already filling up with experiences:))). A chance to see family, a trip to London to the V&A, Chris Riddell evening, visit Jessie Chorley's Shop, a spa day and also a birthday, all in a week:))))

Here is the new list for September and October 2018

September 2018

4&6th Blackberries and Autumn Projects. Brenda is sharing how to embroider and bead Autumn Friuts and Jane is sharing the new projects and Inspiration for the next few months.

7thto14th The studio is CLOSED , not to say they won't be sharing the creativity that week:))

18th&20th Brenda Catch Up and Autumn Projects. This is an ideal time to catch up on any projects that you have started with Brenda or start a new one that you have wanted to do. Jane will be sharing her projects too:))

21st Crewel Embroidery. The once a month Crewel Embroidery session with lots more kits and Inspiration for the Winter. 10am until 2pm

25th&27th Seasonal and Own Projects. Christmas and gift giving is just around the corner.

26th Creative Textiles Creative Course begins. A ten week course that covers many of the creaative techniques within Textiles. Creating a project from the start, covering ideas, dyeing fabric, printing, stitch, innovative materials and tools. A few places left.

October 2018

2nd&4th Fabric and Paper Keepsakes Inspired by London visit. A trip to London, V&A, Chriss Riddell evening and Jessie Chorley's shop will all have a bearing on this session:)))

9th&11th Modern Square Runner. Jane loves setting a geometric patchwork challenge.

12th Crewel Embroidery, once a month session. 10am until 2pm

16th&18th Embroidery on Black and Catch Up Projects. Kits available.

23rd&25th Snowflakes layered and beaded.

30thOct & 1st Nov Seasonal and Own Projects. Christmas or projects you just want to get done:))

Monday Art Sessions 10 am to 12.15pm

Jeanette Williams is joining The Old Art Room Team, starting on the 17th of September with Mixed Media Art Techniques with 'Autumn Berries and Fruits'. Jeanette will be in the studio fortnightly.

Booking and payment is required to ensure your session and payment is non- refundable due to limited places available.

New Workshop List For July and August 2018

With the Summer moving on and a new list of workshops for the studio are now available to sign in for:))
Lots of creativity as I have lots of community projects that I am working along side the studio workshops, so you can join in on the making.
Sessions open to young adults over 12years old during the summer.

The studio is closed for a week from the 22nd of June and reopens on the 2nd of July for Art.

The studio is also welcoming Work Experience from several schools and there is the opportunity for a six week Apprenticeship in the studio.

July
3rd&5th 'Strawberries and Cream', Brenda is teaching the amazing stump work strawberries and Jane has Red and Cream Delights.
10th Log Cabin with a Twist, Table Runner and Principles of how to exchange the design.
12th Studio Closed teaching at Diss, 'Log Cabin with a Twist'.
13th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda for beginners and those who sew.
17th&19th Fantasy Inspired make and Stitch. Jane is working towards some Festivals which include a bit of imagination so shares what is going on.
21st Thompson Village Hall, Community Sew In, making the textiles for the new renovated church, all welcome. 10-3pm.
24th Free Machining 101 and Inspiration on how to mix your stitch.
31st Seasonal and Own Projects. As usual Jane keeps the season alive throughout the year with a make it for that certain time of year:)

August 2018
2nd Print and Stitch. Projects where you print an image and then extend it.
7th&9th Burning Back. Taking a mixture of textiles and burning back the layers to reveal treasure.
14th&16th Monster Makes. Making monsters and also making things for our younger gift range.
17th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda.
21st&23rd  Sunflowers with Brenda and Jane shares some of her Autumn Projects.
28th&30 Seasonal and Own Projects. As usual Jane keeps the season alive throughout the year with a make it for that certain time of year:)

Creative Textiles Level One. A Ten Week Course

A ten week course that takes you on a journey through textiles within your chosen inspiration and topic. This course is for beginners, those that need a re boot and those who want to achieve an outstanding piece of textiles. (Those that have done it will tell you how they enjoyed it:))
Enrolements and information is available and the course begins September 26th 2018. Limited places.

Creative Textiles 30 week Course Starts in January 2019 
Course for those who have completed the level One or who have knowledge of Textile Techniques.
Details available.

Support the studio by booking workshops and when you shop on Amazon think of us and go to The Old Art Room first, click on a product link and go through to Amazon to sho, we receive a 4% donation on your purchase. You get deals and no extra charge is made to you. Thank you it all helps.

*Booking and payment is required to insure your session place abd payment is non- refundable due to limited places available*

*Remember we also have Rita our Italian Tailor in the studio for Alterations and Tailoring.

Emily is continuing after her six week Apprenticeship as a member of staff and 'Learning as You Earn'. Learning to make and gain skills, selling in the shop and shortly online. Well Done Emily.

Enjoy the English sunshine and Creating:))

Apprenticeship at The Old Art Room

My name is Emily, and I started th Six Week Apprenticeship at The Old Art Room 

on Monday 12th March. The Apprenticeship is being sponsored by Lee Johnson Simply1.Ltd who are in Dereham.

Mum and I spotted The Old Art Room and picked up a leaflet, I thought it looked like somewhere I could do some voluntary work, and I was given the oppurtunity to do the Apprenticeship after volunteering.

Monday is Art Morning in the studio and I joined in on the session by drawing shells, drawing is something I had not done in a while, I was suprised at how much I enjoyed it.  

On Wednesday, I was able to do monoprinting during the Creative Textiles Course, using a Geli Plate, something which I had not done before. 

(I seem to be doing a lot of things I haven't done before).

During my first week, I have been colouring and cutting out 

Mandalas for the April window display.

Art Session and Gesso

The first session of the year for Art in the studio I tend to share the real fundamentals of drawing, painting, art materials and brushes etc This year it is 'Gesso'and I am adding the element of Mixed Media Backgrounds using different medias including collage.

This session was all about  'Gesso'.

"Gesso", or "Italian gesso"^[,is a traditional mix of an animal glue, a binder (usually made from animal skin).  chalk (an abrasive ground) and white pigment (paint), used to coat, prime or seal surfaces such as wooden panels, a canvas or a paper surface which are absorbent. This allows the painting media to bond to the canvas.
The colour of gesso is usually white or off-white. Its absorbency makes it work with all painting media, including water-based paints, different types of tempera and oil paint. It is also used as a base on three-dimensional surfaces for the application of paint or gold leaf. 
Mixing and applying it is an art form in itself since it is usually applied in 6 or more extremely thin layers, making sure no ridges are formed with the brush strokes. Brush one way across the canvas with the first layer allow to dry then go the other way of the canvas for the next. Ensure all the surfaces, sides are covered and the back of the canvas where it is stretched over, this can often be forgotten. I always start with the sides and back of the canvas then the front, this stops any ridges forming on the front while painting the sides. Allow each layer to dry thoroughly between painting. Some well known painters would have apprentices do the initial priming process  and then would prime the last layers often leaving days or weeks for drying time between each layer, allowing for curing. 
The amount of layers are up to you especially if you have a good quality of gesso and are time dependent. 
Reason for the glue is flexible and is added to allow bonding of layers and prevents cracking, this makes it suitable for rigid surfaces. Although animal glue was often use to 'size' a fabric canvas. it allows moisture to be absorbed so can lead to cracking too, this has been found of time and history. So we use a pva based glue which does not respond to moisture in the air but allows flexibility.Shop brought Acrylic Gesso does this for you. It is expensive and this is why I make my own.

The better your surface preparation the longer your painting will last.

For priming flexible canvas for oil painting, those made from fabric, an emulsion of gesso and  a few drops of linseed oil, called "half-chalk ground", is used to ensure flexibility in the canvas,help to prevent cracking and the acid in the oil paints from rotting the fibres of the canvas.
  
Gesso is also great for recycling canvases or panels. Some may need sanding down to smooth the paint surface down or if you want the brush strokes and paint mounds you can just paint gesso over the top.
I often do this by using one or more layers of Gesso (allow to dry) then collaging the surface then using gesso over the top and then painting, this allows for a textured surface at the beginning of your painting.
After you have primed a few layers you can use the gesso to etch into if you want added texture or add areas of gesso that you have applied with tools other than brushes.

Many of the store brought canvases have a plastic 'feel' surface to them, they have been primed but that is to prepare them for sale and so they do not get damaged so easily. You will still need to prime or seal the surface otherwise many paints will 'smear off' or the first layer of paint that you apply will soak straight in. This is why it is often advised to add your ground layer of paint first so it soaks in and covers the 'white' surface.

My Gesso Recipes

A combination of recipes that I have tried and tested over the years that work.
Using,
Talcum Powder or
Fine White Plaster
either, Household White Emulsion Paint or White Acrylic Paint
and good quality PVA or wood glue. 

The better quality of ingredients the better the surface and less likely to crack.

 Plaster Mix

1 cup of Water

1 cup of Glue

2 cups of White Acrylic Paint

4 Tablespoons of Fine White Plaster

Mix the Water, Acrylic Paint, Glue and then the Plaster really well.

Put into a sealable container that is labelled with Gesso Type.

*Some times you may need to sieve the plaster mix if you find lumps appearing in the mix.

To make an Emulsion Mix exchange the Acrylic Paint for Household Emulsion.

Talcum Powder Mix

1 cup of Water

1 cup of Glue

2 cups of White Acrylic Paint

4 Tablespoons of Talcum Powder

Mix the Water, Acrylic Paint, Glue and then the Talcum Powder really well.

Put into a sealable container that is labelled with Gesso Type.

To make an Emulsion Mix exchange the Acrylic Paint for Household

Emulsion.

These recipes then get diluted with water to the consistency you require depending on whether the painting has fine detail or not. The more thin layers of Gesso the better and if you wish you can lightly sand down between layers to make it even smoother using fine grade sand paper.
This preparation to your surface enables you to get fine brush detail with your paints.

Gesso can go 'off' a mould forms on the top once opened. I make enough for what I need so do not worry that I may need t throw a small amount away.
I have been known to rescue a moulded gesso by skimming off the top layers of mould and then using it. I have only used it on my leisure painting and
would always have it in my head that my professional painting may start to change if I used the damaged gesso on it, so if in doubt chuck it out.

Watch our mixing video on our Facebook Page The Old Art Room  HERE

The Charmed Children Of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox

We all read alot in the studio especially for research 

and the start of this year I have chosen,

"The Charmed Children Of Rookskill Castle" by Janet Fox.

For a body of work to last the year.

A Scottish Tale ideal to start in January with 'Burns Night' on the 25th of January.

We always use a lot of Tartan and Tweed in the studio at this time of year.

Another reason is it is a story based around,

"The Chatelaine",n.(shat-l-eyn)

An ornament appendage worn 

by ladies at the waist, supposed to represent

 the bunch of keys, etc,

of a mediaeval chatelaine; it consists

of a number of short chains....

bearing articles of household

use and ornament......

(Oxford English Dictionary)

It also contains twelve charms that hang from a charmed number 

of 13. 

Ideal for the 12 months of the year:)))

(The number 13 has always been lucky in our family and Jenn our daughter has a 13 Key)

IT IS YOUR BANE,

THIS CHATELAINE.

BY FLESH AND BONE,

BY ROCK AND STONE,

I'LL CHARM A CHILD

TO CALL MY OWN.

FISH AND HUNCHBACK,

BOOT AND CHEST,

CAT COMES CRYING.

FOR THE BEST.

THE DEVIL'S SIGN,

THEDOG AND BELL,

A NESTING PEARL

WITHIN IT'S SHELL.

EEL AND ANCHOR,

LAST,THE HEART.

ALL COMPLETE

ALL NOW A PART.

OF CHATELAINE.

IT'S MAGIC DARK,

A PRISON COLD,

A WITCH'S MARK.

A CRUEL FATE,

A CHILDLING'S BANE:

THE THIRTEENTH CHARM

OF CHATELAINE.

YOUR SOUL WILL SLEEP

WITHIN THE KEEP,

YOUR LIFE WILL LINGER

DARK AND DEEP.

BY ROCK AND BONE,

BY BLOOD AND STONE,

NOT LIFE, NOR DEATH,

BUT LOST, ALONE.

I'LL CHARM, I'LL CLAIM

WITH CHATELAINE.

Follow the blog each month to share in the charms and the body of work.
The First Charm

By buying your copy by clicking the Amazon link below you are donating a small commission to the studio at no extra cost to you.

New Workshops For 2018

Happy New Year,

Stewart and I have been working hard in the studio and shop over the holidays to make it an even more creative space:)))
Created a New Year Window celebrating the New Year in but also the Chinese New Year that is on the 16th of January, Year of The Dog. The studio window is very Red and Oriental:)))) See the video on our Facebook page(open to all to view)

https://www.facebook.com/oldartroom/videos/1488075931309755/

The inspiration board at the top of the post is in the studio area and sets the scene:)) This board will change each month to reflect the window and inspiration theme.
See the video on our Facebook page cick on link below(open to all to view)

https://www.facebook.com/oldartroom/videos/1490409441076404/

Compared to the December Christmas Window which was beautiful, white and made us feel magical but chilly:))) See the video on our Facebook page click on link below (open to all to view)

https://www.facebook.com/oldartroom/videos/1452196138231068/

Grandma's Chair is in the window with the new patchwork slip cover made by Rachel, who is studing Upholstery at University in London. Thank You Rachel it looks great:)))

As usual, there is lots in the window that has been given, made and now gets to be shared:)))

Thank You to all those who gave, shared and donated to the studio last year and lets do more this year as we continue this circle and get to pass it on in so many different ways.

You can see some of the daily creating on The Old Art Room Instagram  Page. Click on link below.
https://www.instagram.com/the_old_art_room/

We open the Studio Shop on the 8th of January, This week I alsways take the time to create and play in the in the studio. Time to enjoy the space, new ideas and use the materials and 'stuff' Stewart and I have sorted out over the break. It's also a time to visit the years inspiration and plot the new workshops on the diary. Making and Sampling is key for me, it feels like play and is ohh so necessary for me to start the year off this way. Getting out the UFO"S (unfinished objects) and either finishing them or re-making them is always a great way to start too. This is always part of the 'Winter Challenge' that I set before the holidays.

Welcome, to Rita our new Italian Tailor who will be in the studio every Wednesday for Alterations and Tailoring. (Rita had a few weeks before Christmas to get stuck in and those that had their clothing altered were really happy). Most alteration requests are accepted and rates are dependant on the type of garment and time it will take. Rita is in on the 8th of January so pop in and say 'Hello'.

Rita will also be asisisting me making the costumes for the window and shop makes, to carry on the inspiration of each month, lots of exciting things planned. If there are makes that you would like to see in the shop, please let us know. Our first costume is something 'Blue' in the 'Outlander' Style, especially for the Hogmany Studio Window for the end of January. Lots of tweed, Tartan and warm materials.

Brenda has amazing Embroidery Sessions Booked in the Diary and the once month Crewel Embroidery Friday, is an amazing session to finish the creative week, held once a month.
Brenda has a selection of her kits in the studio shop.

Violets by Brenda 

February 6th and 8th

Liz will be  back in the Studio Shop on Thursday and is plotting new costume ideas for this year too:)) Everyone who saw the embroidery on her 'Game of Thrones', Dress were in ore. Aided by Brenda who instigated the stitches and Liz brought them to life:)) Liz's and Daniel's wedding prepration makes, were amazing and we all enjoyed the week by week reveal, angsts and the wedding photos are beautiful:)))
She is also sharing with us lots of her makes for their new home:))

Jayne, is back in the studio and is holding a Dog Needlefelting Brooch Session, on the 27th of February 2018. Places are limited as it is a popular session.

Celebrating Year Of The Dog,

with this brooch.

He is so cute and clever!

Mollie is working hard as usual and spent a very creative year making pencil rolls, brush rolls, teddy bears and hearts (a Mollie stitched Heart is in the new January window). She is open for commissions:))) It is so good to see Mollie using her newely won and earnt sewing machine. Everything is made to such a high standard. We are so proud of Mollie and thank her for all time spent in the studio:)))

One of Mollie's Pencil Roll and the Owl is by Lee on our Monday Art Session

'Show and Tell' is always amazing, Thank you so much to all who share and participate. We all enjoy and learn so much. So here's to another year of this:)))

Lucy and Lisa practicing artists themselves will be volunteering on Monday and Tuesday,so welcome to them. Will post how they are getting on and creating within the studio on Instagram and The Old Art Room Facebook. Thank you to all who volunteer and donate to the studio it is really appreciated.

So, here are the first Workshops of the New Year 2018.

The Shop and Studio are open and we especially like visitors and share what we are creating, lots of inspiration.

Main Theme of the Studio Chinese New Year And New Projects

January 2018

Monday 15th 
Art: How to make Gesso. Mixed Media Collage Backgrounds, creating backgrounds and adding drawing and painting.


Full

Tuesday 16th (Chinese New Year) 
Textiles:'Show and Tell' with workshops explained. Both Sessions Full

Wednesday 17th
Alterations and Tailoring with Rita  alterations welcome.
Costumes
Mixed Media Textiles Full

Thursday 18th
Textiles:'Show and Tell' with workshops explained. Both Sessions Full

Friday 19th
Crewel Embroidery with Brenda 10-2pm Full

Saturday 20th Closed

The full workshop list for January and February 2018 will be available in the studio from the 8th of January.
I will post the full years workshops shortly.

Once again, Happy New Year.
By clicking on the Amazon Links you help the studio with a small commission at no extra cost to yourself, another way of supporting the studio:))) Thank you.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from The Old Art Room Studio:)))