141 Arts & Crafts courses

Join Daniel Docherty and master stone-mason Nicholas G. Durnan for this week-long course where participants will learn the principles of Order in Space through a deep study and immersion in the five platonic solids. Daniel will lead the first two days where we will familiarise and befriend the forms as we draw, model and weave them in various ways and at various scales. The focus of the Thurs/Fri/Sat sessions will be on the carving of the forms in stone. It is likely that particpants will be able to carve a full set of all five 'Platonic' solids.

Mandalas, in essence, can be understood to be diagrams, patterns and pictures that are distillations of cosmic wisdom and harmony; repositories of archetypal intelligence. Mandalas offer a potentially powerful means of deepening one’s spiritual and contemplative practice. This is especially true when they are constructed - using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge - in a considered and contemplative manner. During this week-long course, Daniel Docherty will guide participants through the construction of a number of mandalas from different traditions including mandalas that embody significant planetary patterns. We will explore their inherent symbolism and cosmic correspondences. Participants will also make their our own inks and paints from plant and mineral in order to colour and ensoul their designs. 

Celtic Pattern, Geometry and Imagination A five-day extended course with Adam Tetlow 25-29 October 2021 SAOG Studios (Ruskin East) Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK 10:00-17:00   Cost: £335 

A weekly art class running for 10 weeks covering all the different aspects of drawing and painting.

A fun Sketch & Sip class for up to 10 people with local artist Mark Kirkham, known locally as The Edinburgh Sketcher hosted at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh's historic Georgian New Town.

The Alhambra Palace complex is home to some of the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern in the world. During this three-day course we will learn how to construct a number of these patterns - ranging from the simple to highly sophisticated - using the traditional geometer's tools of compass and straightedge. This course will be led in a gentle, easy to follow, step-by-step manner, suitable for both beginners and experienced alike.

The Dance of Earth and Venus results in one of the most beautiful and breathtaking rhythms and patterns of the solar system. Every eight Earth years (13 Venus years) they dance a pentagonal form in space akin to the pip-star inside your apple or the petals of a primrose flower! During this course we will learn how to draw this incredible pattern using the traditional tools of compass and straight-edge; we will explore the key aspects of Earth and Venus' cycles that determine such extraordinary heavenly harmony. And time allowing ... with copper leaf and watercolour paint made from malachite and azurite - which in the Hermetic/Alchemical tradition have forever been associated with the planet Venus - we will create stunning mandalas embodying the Earth/Venus dance ...

We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming Australian based Artsist/Educator and Projective Geometry expert Sophia Montefiore back to SAOG Studios for a Summer 2021 Projective Geometry course. Participants will be introduced to the fundamental and profound principles of this unique art form through drawing/construction and colour work focussing on Spirals, Buds and Vortex Forms.

This two-day course, led by Natasha Mann, will introduce students to the Art of Zouaq. Zouaq is a painting technique original to Morocco which creates arresting and powerful designs. Found painted onto ceilings, doors, furniture and wooden objects it is an integral part of the decoration of private homes and sacred spaces in Morocco. Students will also be given an introduction to the history of Zouaq and its different styles. Using the traditional techniques of egg tempera painting using hand ground natural pigments from earth and minerals, participants will choose their favourite design from a portfolio of Moroccan geometric patterns (ideally drawn during the prior Moroccan Geometric Pattern course (17 Sept. 2021) to create a stunning painting on wood to take home

A fully tutored life drawing class for beginners.