Courses inspired by nature

So many of our students come to West Dean to have a break from everyday life, in a setting which inspires creative thinking and practice. Nature is an ongoing theme here, and as we transition through the seasons, we've released even more new courses to inspire you.

Botanical French beading – A Poppy Stem

10 May 2026 | London
Full - join waitlist
Tutor: Holly Parr |
Suitable for all
£150

Botanical colourants from local plant pigments

4 Jun 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Lucy Mayes |
Suitable for all
£165

Experimental drawing, collage and painting from natural forms

5 to 8 Jun 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Joe Packer |
Beginners/Intermediate
£607

Botanical painting – the summer garden in ink and watercolour

21 to 23 Jun 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Sandrine Maugy |
Suitable for all
£407

Introduction to botanical painting – cherries

26 Jun 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Liz Shippam |
Beginners
£140

Woven textiles and expressive basketry

27 to 28 Jun 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Joanne Lamb |
Beginners
£265

Silver clay – inspired by nature

29 Jun 2026 | West Dean
Full - join waitlist
Tutor: Grainne Reynolds |
Beginners
£221

Introduction to botanical painting – blueberries

13 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Liz Shippam |
Beginners
£204

Botanical contact print (ecoprint)

15 to 19 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Full - join waitlist
Tutor: Caroline Nixon |
Beginners/Intermediate
£803

Watercolour – light,space and form in nature

17 to 20 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Prasad Beaven |
Beginners/Intermediate
£709

Natural patterns in organic hand embroidery

19 to 23 Jul 2026 | West Dean
Full - join waitlist
Tutor: Mirjam Gielen |
Intermediate
£794

Celebrating Constable: Landscape painting and observation in nature

29 to 30 Jul 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Estelle Lovatt |
Suitable for all
£295

Watercolour painting in detail – nature from the gardens

31 Jul 2026 to 6 Aug 2026 | West Dean
Full - join waitlist
Tutor: Amber Halsall |
Suitable for all
£1,316

Art textiles – dyeing, stitching and sculpture

7 to 13 Aug 2026 | West Dean
1 place available
Tutor: Alice Burnhope |
Beginners/Intermediate
£1,412

Botanical French beading – Rudbeckia

9 Aug 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Holly Parr |
Suitable for all
£155

Botanical painting – Late summer fruit and flowers at West Dean

30 Aug 2026 to 1 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Sandrine Maugy |
Suitable for all
£409

Painting large inspired by Rothko

3 to 6 Sep 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Louise Rainbow |
Intermediate
£625

Weaving in collaboration with nature

12 to 13 Sep 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Joanne Lamb |
Suitable for all
£265

Introduction to botanical painting – pears

14 Sep 2026 | London
Places available
Tutor: Liz Shippam |
Beginners
£140

Botanical drawing – hedgerow harvest

25 to 27 Sep 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Susan Christopher-Coulson |
Beginners/Intermediate
£399

Botanical drawing – Autumn fruit and vegetables

29 Sep 2026 to 2 Oct 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Ann Swan |
Intermediate/Advanced
£590