2025 - 2026 Workshops
Here is the list of all our workshops and events this coming academic year. All events and workshops will all be held at St Lawrence's Church Hall in Effingham or on zoom where indicated.
2025-26 Workshops and Events
Pointed Pen Patterns and Floral Designs with Joy Daniels
Pointed Pen Patterns and Floral Designs with Joy Daniels
Pointed Pen Patterns and Floral Designs with Joy Daniels
Saturday 25th October 2025
on zoom
10am - 12pm and 2 - 3 pm
Members £32 / non-members £37
A fun class seeing what shapes the pointed nib can make just by pressing and letting go – leaf and petal shapes appear, and the same shape made in different directions can look like a whole variety of leaves and flowers. We’ll make outline shapes as well which can be filled in with coloured pencils. You don’t need to feel you are an ‘artist’ to be able to make these delightful shapes.
I will take you step by step and show you how to fill a shape with patterns, or make freehand floral motifs. I love the idea of being able to use the same pointed nib for writing and also for the decoration – they seem to complement each other.
Gold and metallic paints on dark backgrounds are very popular and give a real richness to the overall look – some can look like fabric or embroidery, and each is unique and special. We will use stencils shapes to draw round – circles, hearts, letters and numbers and we can make these into greetings cards or personalised gifts.
Christmas Meeting
Pointed Pen Patterns and Floral Designs with Joy Daniels
Pointed Pen Patterns and Floral Designs with Joy Daniels
Saturday 29th November 2025
10.00 am - 1 pm
For Members only
Come and join us for some festive fun with a mini seasonal workshop and Christmassy refreshments
Colour mixing with Jan Mehigan
Pointed Pen Patterns and Floral Designs with Joy Daniels
CNUT hand with Claire Honeywood
Saturday 31st January 2026
on zoom
10am - 12 pm and 2 - 3 pm
In this workshop you will be painting along with the Zoom, where we will learn to mix colours successfully. We will discuss and explore all the different media that can be used to best advantage and begin to understand the components of paint and inks and other colouring materials. You will need a notebook to jot down information, though I will supply handouts for you to use and refer to later. Hopefully the time will be rewarding and fun!
CNUT hand with Claire Honeywood
Rustics Ancient and Modern with Mary Noble
CNUT hand with Claire Honeywood
Saturday 26th February 2026
10am - 4pm
This is an early 11th century hand, with the finest examples being written by Eadui Basan, a scribe at Canterbury 1012-1023. This script is an interesting alternative to the foundation hand, having added nuance and sophistication created by subtle pen manipulation. We will begin by analysing and copying these historical samples moving into creating our own contemporary versions.
We will use regular calligraphy pens as well as automatic pens, (together with colour,) which are well suited to this script.
Easter Zoom
Rustics Ancient and Modern with Mary Noble
Rustics Ancient and Modern with Mary Noble
Saturday 28th March 2026
10am -12 pm
For Members only
Join us for our traditional Easter quiz meeting on zoom
Rustics Ancient and Modern with Mary Noble
Rustics Ancient and Modern with Mary Noble
Rustics Ancient and Modern with Mary Noble
Saturday 22nd March 2026
10am - 4pm
This ancient script has wacky features that we can readily adopt to create modern letterforms. Skinny legs and heavy feet don’t sound promising but we can have a lot of fun adapting such characteristics for our own use. We’ll start by studying the historical forms then work on their exaggeration for many possible outcome
Blooming Letters (part 2*) with Els Van Den Steen
Blooming Letters (part 2*) with Els Van Den Steen
Blooming Letters (part 2*) with Els Van Den Steen
Saturday 20th June 2026
10am - 4 pm
Join us for a creative day designing decorative letters, inspired by flowers.
You will begin the day by drawing your own letters in pencil, guided by Els as she shares her personal technique for discovering new and exciting letterforms.
Once your chosen letter has taken form, you’ll enrich it with a decorative background, drawing inspiration from wildflowers or blooms from your own garden. You can draw in a realistic or abstract style, or somewhere delightfully in between, the choice is yours. Experiment with scale, placement, and pattern to craft compositions, reflecting your personal style. With your design in place, it’s time to add a splash of watercolour. You’ll use your floral inspiration to build a custom palette and you’ll learn how to shift its mood and energy.
This will lead to a finished artwork that’s uniquely yours - a celebration of letters, nature, and your own imagination.
*This is part 2 but you don't need to have done part 1, this is a standalone workshop.
Try Your Hand
Blooming Letters (part 2*) with Els Van Den Steen
Blooming Letters (part 2*) with Els Van Den Steen
Saturday 18th July 2026
1pm - 4 pm
Free for members, £5 for non-members
This is a social occasion before our summer break.
Come and have fun and try something different in a mini workshop (details to follow nearer the time).
AGM and Demonstrations
Blooming Letters (part 2*) with Els Van Den Steen
AGM and Demonstrations
Saturday 26th September 2026
11am - 3 pm
For members only