WORKSHOPS and TUITION for 2025/2026
Workshops are tailored to suit all abilities. Working with small groups of 5 students only to ensure personal tuition with each student. Workshops begin at 9.30 and finish at 3.45pm.A 2 course lunch is provided to help make for a really enjoyable arty day out.Refreshments are available throughout the day.
Workshops cover a wide variety of subjects and are very relaxed and informal. After an introduction over tea & coffee a short pastel demo will be followed by your own practical work. Catherine is on hand to guide and advise you.
Contact by email or telephone to book.
Information sheet will sent to you on booking with all the details of the workshop. Catherine also has a shop stocking pastels & papers that she uses.
If you wish to have a chat regarding any of the workshops do please feel free to telephone or email for further information . A list of accommodation is available on request .
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PDF link for workshop brochure


At The Old Granary Studio
Limited to 5 students
The Old Granary, Skirpenbeck, York, YO41 1HF
These are held at Catherine’s studio in the little village of Skirpenbeck near York .
Group Bookings
Groups of up to 5 may book a private workshop with their chosen subject on a date to suit .
These workshops will be held at The Old Granary Studio with a lunch included. Please feel free to telephone or email for further information
Hi Cath. I would just like to say on behalf of us all thank you once again to you and your husband for making us feel so welcome in your home. We really enjoyed our art workshop and the delicious lunch.See you both again soon! Kind regards Jo
Dear Cath, Thanks again so much for the inspiration from yesterday. Also the wonderful hospitality offered by yourself and Ron. I am looking forward to our next visit. I am excited about progressing my skills in pastels and feel ready to have a go at new subjects. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with you both. Best wishes Shirley.
Private Tuition
Private tuition is available on a one to one or two to one basis for students wishing for more intensive tuition in pastel. A minimum of 2 hours to a full day . Please feel free to contact for more details.
More Workshops, Art Fairs and Events
You can also join Catherine at other workshops that she has been invited to tutor so do have a look to see what is happening elsewhere . Open the Events & Diary Dates
WORKSHOPS dates for 2025
Ws 9 Fri. 7th & Sat 8th November PORTRAITURE in PASTEL £220
How to achieve a likeness in pastel from a photograph.
We shall cover the proportions and elements of the human face, how to achieve expression as well as working too on the skin colour and tones.
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Ws 10 Fri. 21st & Sat 22nd November WINTERY SCENES £220
Again a short demo prior to practical in the studio . Lots of hints & tips on mark making & choice of pastel colours to make for an amazing and atmospheric winter skies ....maybe snow too!
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Ws11 Fri. 5th & Sat 6th December. PORTRAITURE in PASTEL 2. £220
How to achieve a likeness in pastel from a photograph.
We shall cover the proportions and elements of the human face, how to achieve expression as well as working too on the skin colour and tones.
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WORKSHOPS dates for 2026
WS 1 a Fri 9th & WS 1b Sat 10th January ELEMENTS of WINTER
This can be booked for 1 day only or 2 days. fee £115 for a single day . £220 for both days taken together.
A short demo prior to practical work in the studio. Lots of hints & tips on mark making, your choice of pastel colours and how to achieve tonal values for your pastel work for the countryside in Winter.
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WS 2 £220 Fri 23rd & Sat 24th January LANDSCAPE in PASTEL
Again a short demo prior to students before practical work in the studio. Working from a photograph or sketch of your choice, in this landscape workshop we will study composition to show the importance of a well balanced pastel study to take home . You will be advised on use of colours to use & mark making along with lots of other useful tips. Suitable for Beginners and intermediate atrists. as well as the more advanced!
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WS 3 £220 Fri 6th & Sat 7th February FACIAL FEATURES \ HANDS & FEET
Day 1 Facial Features. ( by student request to inc. Ears! )
Day 2 Hands & Feet
Day 1 we will study the human face and Day 2 hands and feet. Short demos given at start of each day .
Covering proportions and elements of the human face, how to achieve expression as well as working on skin colour and tones. Hands and feet are often avoided as they can be a bit tricky to work, I aim to give you confidence in your ability to work them successfully in pastel
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WS 4 £220 Fri 20th & Sat 21st Feb FABRICS & JEWELS
to Enhance your Portraiture
Short demo prior to practical work in studio . These 2 days will cover the supporting roles of both jewellery and fabrics in human portraiture. Pearlecent pearls and bright gold, lace & satin, all enhance a portrait.
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WS 5 £220 Fri. 13th & Sat 14th March AMAZING SEAS & COLOURFUL SKIES
Again a short demo prior to students before practical work in the studio. Day 1 will be Seas & Day 2 will be Skies . Working from a photograph or sketch of your choice, in this workshop we will study the importance of a tonal values, colour use and of course mark making . Suitable for Beginners and intermediate atrists. as well as the more advanced!
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WS 6 £220 Fri.27th & Sat 28th March WILDLIFE and ANIMALS in PASTEL
Working from a photograph of your choice. There will be a short demo at the start of the day to show the skills required to bringing to life, using your pastels, a favourite pet or wildlife animal . Techniques to make a dog's nose look shiny & wet, a cat's eye look alive and how to create long & short fur.