Making Skills: Foundations for Further Study This intensive four-day programme offers a practical introduction to the core making skills that underpin West Dean’s Higher Education pathways. Through focused, hands-on sessions, students will build confidence, technical ability, and studio familiarity while gaining a clear insight into the expectations and experience of HE-level study.

Designed for incoming HE students, those considering applying, and learners seeking a skills top-up, each course acts as a foundation and taster—supporting a smooth transition into, or informed decision about, further study at West Dean.

Led by distinguished blacksmith and educator Adam Greenwell, this four?day course offers a structured, practical introduction to fundamental forging techniques and workshop processes. Through daily demonstrations and guided exercises, students will explore the essential skills underpinning contemporary blacksmithing, developing confidence with tools, materials and safe working methods.

Adam introduces six core forging processes—bending, drawing down, jumping up, punching, cutting and fire welding—ensuring students build both technical understanding and practical fluency. Working progressively, students will apply these skills within a tutor?selected project designed to consolidate learning, encourage creative thinking and highlight the versatility of forged metalwork.

With a career spanning architectural and ornamental ironwork, international exhibition practice and his former role as Head Lecturer of the BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing programme at Hereford College of Arts, Adam brings a rich combination of technical expertise and creative pedagogy. His teaching emphasises not only practical proficiency but also reflective thinking, craftsmanship and the development of personal artistic approach.

This course is ideal for those preparing to enter Higher Education metalwork programmes or seeking to strengthen their foundational making skills. By the end of the four days, students will have gained solid technical grounding, increased confidence in the forge, and a clearer understanding of the expectations of advanced metalworking study.

All tools, materials, and safety equipment are provided. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience who wish to expand their skills in a creative and supportive environment.

Included

All fuel costs and mild steel stocked by the College Leather aprons, welding gauntlets, goggles, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the Forge.

What students need to bring

Sketch/ notebook. You will need to wear clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped boots. (No rigger style boots) Please note that cotton or wool clothing is preferable to nylon or other synthetics. Shorts do not provide necessary protection. For your safety, it is mandatory to wear steel toe capped safety boots when undertaking a course in the Forge. You must provide your own footwear and bring it with you to wear on the course. If you fail to bring suitable footwear, you will not be able to take part in the course. Safety boots can be purchased from most tool hire shops and builders’ merchants, as well as online.

You must wear goggles (provided) and suitable protective clothing for this course. Leather aprons, welding gauntlets, goggles, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the Forge, or you can bring them along if you have them. If, for example, you have particularly large or small hands, your own leather work gloves are likely to be a better fit.

Available to buy

Gardens Gatehouse Craft Shop: General art materials

Additional information

Please note: This course will be in the Forge, which is a ten-minute walk from the main house through the walled garden or can be accessed by car.

Please note that tutor supervision is always required when you are working in the Forge.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

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