Explore a variety of decorative garden metalwork elements in fabricated and forged metal.

From a basis of imagery and observation, a variety of metalwork and forging techniques are demonstrated by the tutor throughout the course, followed by student practice and application.

Techniques and possibilitiess are demonstrated and shown by example, enabling you to explore and evolve individual elements as the course progresses, leading towards a finished piece.

You may bring ideas or evolve your own piece or project to work on, subject to discussion regarding the parameters of practicality and timescale. Alternatively, the tutor will be able to suggest specific objects such as hanging basket brackets, decorative garden arch or garden sculpture element and guide through demonstration and practice.

Direct shaping techniques will be demonstrated such as spiralling, twisting, tapering, curving and bending, texturing, using different methods and tools to cut, form, shape, forge and manipulate the material, using different heats to develop shape and cross section.

By the end of the course you should feel more confident with understading and recognising how these metal techniques may be applied. You should be able to confidently undertake further explorations of this fascinating and rewarding area of metalwork.

Included

On this course, the College will supply all of the materials required for the specific project set by the tutor, including all fuel costs and metal that is 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

You will need to wear clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped 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 them 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

Available from shop: Sketchbook, pencils, rubber

Additional information

Please note: This course will be in the Forge, which is a 10-minute walk from the main house through the walled garden, or can be accessed by car. As this course is held in the Forge, morning coffee and afternoon tea will be held in the nearby Carrington Studio. You will return to the main house for lunch.

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

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
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
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
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

Terms & Conditions