Some painting experience is useful, although not essential. As a qualified Art teacher with over 20 years experience you will be guided throughout the course.
July 8, 2026
9:30 am
Katie Brent Studio, Woodbine Cottage, Perry Street, Chard, Somerset, TA20 4QH
This four-week landscape painting course is designed to build confidence in composition, explore mixed media techniques, and develop the skills needed to create atmospheric landscapes. Working both in the studio and on location, participants will experiment with materials, viewpoints, and observational sketching to produce a resolved final piece. This will be weather dependant (only if heavy rain is forecast, alternatively we will work in the studio)
Week One – Studio Session (3 Hours): Foundations of Landscape. 9.30am – 12.30pm
The course begins with a studio-based session focused on understanding composition and visual structure within landscapes. Participants will explore a variety of mixed media approaches, experiment with mark-making, and learn techniques for creating depth, mood, and atmosphere. This session encourages playful experimentation and provides a strong foundation for working outdoors.
Week Two – Charmouth Beach: En Plein Air Sketching. 9.30am – 12.30pm
The second session takes place at Charmouth Beach, where participants will sketch *en plein air*. Building on the skills developed in week one, the focus will be on framing the seascape and surrounding hills from the beach viewpoint. Emphasis will be placed on observational drawing, composition, and capturing the changing qualities of light and atmosphere.
Week Three – Stonebarrow, Charmouth: Expanding Perspective. 9.30am – 12.30pm
In week three, the group will meet at Stonebarrow National Trust carpark, offering a higher vantage point and more expansive views across the coastline. Participants will explore how viewpoint influences composition, working with distance, scale, and atmospheric perspective while continuing to develop sketchbook studies and mixed media experiments.
Week Four – Studio Session: Final Mixed Media Landscape. 9.30 – 3.00pm- including a lunch break.
The final studio session brings together sketches and studies from the previous weeks. Participants will develop a finished landscape piece, working from their on-location drawings and reference material. Guidance will be provided on refining composition, layering mixed media, and strengthening atmosphere to create a resolved and personal final outcome. This 5 and a half hour session will incorporate a light lunch break of 40 minutes. Lunch will be provided, alternatively bring your own packed lunch.
This course is suitable for beginners and those looking to refresh their landscape practice, with an emphasis on experimentation, observation, and creative confidence.
Week One – Studio Session (3 Hours): Foundations of Landscape
The course begins with a studio-based session focused on understanding composition and visual structure within landscapes. Participants will explore a variety of mixed media approaches, experiment with mark-making, and learn techniques for creating depth, mood, and atmosphere. This session encourages playful experimentation and provides a strong foundation for working outdoors.
The second session takes place at Charmouth Beach; we will meet by the cafe next to the carpark on the seafront. We will sketch *en plein air*. Building on the skills developed in week one, the focus will be on framing the seascape and surrounding hills from the beach viewpoint. Emphasis will be placed on observational drawing, composition, and capturing the changing qualities of light and atmosphere.
In week three the group will meet at Stonebarrow National Trust carpark, offering a higher vantage point and more expansive views across the coastline. Participants will explore how viewpoint influences composition, working with distance, scale, and atmospheric perspective while continuing to develop sketchbook studies and mixed media experiments.
The final studio session brings together sketches and studies from the previous weeks. Participants will develop a finished landscape piece, working from their on-location drawings and reference material. Guidance will be provided on refining composition, layering mixed media, and strengthening atmosphere to create a resolved and personal final outcome. THis slightly longer session will enable a completed outcome. We will have a 40 minute lunch break, a light lunch will be provided.
Some painting experience is useful, although not essential. As a qualified Art teacher with over 20 years experience you will be guided throughout the course.
For the outdoor sessions you will need to bring a camping chair to sit on! If you have your own sketchbook that would be useful, though I will be provdiing paper for us to work on. All art materials will be provided.
In the studio sessions tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. A light lunch will be provided on the last 5 hour session. Bring your own water bottle for our outdoor sessions, though a cafe break will be factored in!
Unfortunately the studio is not suitable for wheelchair users.
There is a bathrom on the studio premises. Charmouth and Stonebarrow both have toilet facilities.
Yes you will need to pay for parking at Charmouth and Stonebarrow. If you are a National Trust member bring your card to Stonebarrow! I am happy to meet here at my studio at 8.50am and drive to the locations. Parking is obviously free at my studio with 5 parking spaces!
I do advise wearing clothes you don't mind getting paint on! I will provide aprons.
There is a great B&B opposite my studio with 5 lovely double ensuite rooms. Go to www.thegoldenfleecechard.co.uk to book. You can use the code FOF15 for a 15% discount.