Discover the natural world in ink and coloured pencils.
Artist and author Helen Hanson’s unusual combination of ink and coloured pencil, originally developed for landscape, is applied to the natural world in this absorbing course. Use creative mark-making in ink and dry coloured pencil, with embossing and lifting out, to depict the plants, insects, butterflies and birds found in the meadow environment.
Using your own or the tutor’s images you will be guided through the processes with demonstrations and individual help and encouraged to follow your own style. This is slow art involving careful observation, but you will probably have time to complete several small images. The process is very therapeutic and absorbing, and you will be surprised at the uniqueness of the result!
About the tutor
Helen Hanson
Helen Hanson was a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists for 25 years, winner of the President’s Award and a former Council Member of the Society of Women Artists. She was for many years a successful printmaker, exhibiting her landscape etchings in galleries and exhibitions throughout Britain. Always inspired by the natural world, she now concentrates on works in ink and coloured pencil and has written two books for Crowood Press, Landscape in Ink and Coloured Pencil and Nature in Ink and Coloured Pencil.
About Flatford Mill
We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is un-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.
Explore our range of drawing and sketching courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and skills. Our art courses are a chance to meet like-minded people, a chance to unwind from everyday life, and a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious countryside surrounding our field centres.
Example Timetable
Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
Picnic Lunch
Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only.
Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring lunch with you.
Before You Attend
What to bring
- Artists’ coloured pencils (preferably non-watercolour, although these can be used dry) - Faber Castell Polychromos, Derwent Artist or Procolour, Caran D’Ache Pablo or similar.
- A4 Bristol board (Strathmore Series 300 smooth is recommended). This will be available for purchase from tutor by the sheet.
- An HB pencil and ruler
- A good pencil sharpener with a very sharp blade (M & R round brass sharpener is highly recommended)
- Erasers – grey putty and standard plastic
- Waterproof Indian ink pens Faber Castell Pitt artist pens (SX, S, F, M) or Staedtler pigment liner pens (0.5, 0.3, 0.1 and ultra fine 0.05)
- A small sketch pad or cartridge paper for any preliminary drawings
Opportunities to attend this course
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Mon 11, August 2025 16:00 - Wed 13, August 2025 16:00
