Art Retreat at Longberry Farm

with Jade Taylor

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FRIDAY 2ND - SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2022

We are incredibly excited to have collaborated with the lovely and talented local artist Jade Taylor who will guide you on a creative journey over 3 wonderful days in the stunning Kent countryside.

This Art Retreat is suitable for all levels from the complete beginner who hasn’t been creative since leaving school, to the competent Artist wishing to immerse themselves in nature and creativity for a few days. It is a friendly environment where the interests and needs of each individual are supported and encouraged. So, if you want to have a fun few days exploring different drawing/painting and printmaking techniques whist you relax with your friends and just get away from it all or if you want to expand your creativity and knowledge with new media in the calm beautiful setting of Longberry Farm then this is the Art Retreat for you.

A bit about Jade…

“I am a very experienced Art tutor and have a passion for spreading the joy that can be found in exploring the natural world through Art. I live in a rural cottage surrounded by the Kent countryside and all its wonderful wildlife, I combine paint and print as I respond the environment around me, from the tiny moths and bees to the native birds and mammals, in particular the beautiful Hares. I trained as a textile designer and specialised in embroidery at Nottingham Trent University, but my love of colour, pattern and print is really the core of my own work currently. During my 27 years in teaching, I have had the pleasure and privilege to explore a very wide range of materials and processes to keep my students engaged and challenged.”

You can find out more about Jade and view examples of her work by visiting her website – www.JadeTaylorStudio.com

Investment…

• Prices include all meals whilst on site (please inform us of any Dietary Requirements beforehand)

• Tea, coffee and water provided to drink and snacks provided throughout the day

• All art lessons and materials provided

• Luxury accommodation in our beautiful bell tents

• Use of the shared washroom and hot tub

"Dorm" Tent

Shared with up to 3 other guests – but a bed to yourself

Double Bed - £465

Single Camp Bed - £450

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Double Occupancy Tent

Shared with 1 other guest – but a bed to yourself

Double Bed - £485

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The Old Stable – Single Occupancy

King size Bed - £500

Bookings can be made directly online by clicking here or simply send us an email to hello@longberryfarm.com

So, what's the plan...?

Day 1 – Friday 2nd September 2022

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1pm – Arrival & Welcome Cuppa with Cake

Arrive at Longberry Farm and settle into your beautiful bell tent ready for the first creative session.

2pm to 6 pm

Begin your creative journey with some surface preparation and observational drawing. 

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Looking at the details and shapes of plants and or the landscape using masks, charcoal, pencils and permanent markers, on stretched paper and surfaces suitable for tomorrow’s printing. Exploring ink and watercolour washes and acrylic over drawings.

Option to continue into the evening independently drawing by candlelight to explore shadows.

7:00pm – Dinner is Served

Evenings to be spent at your leisure, options include:

- Use of the Hot Tub

- Gathering around the Campfire

- Independent Drawing by candlelight to explore shadows

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Day 2 – Saturday 3rd September 2022

8:30am – Breakfast is Served

9am to 10am

Optional forage walk to find printing material for the day.

10am to 1pm

Introduction to the mono printing technique ideally suited to botanical printing, Gelli plates. Using wild plants and flowers from the hedgerows surrounding the farm and cultivated plants from the garden. Starting with small individual prints to familiarise with process and the gorgeous colour effects that can be achieved through layering and moving onto yesterday’s pre prepared surfaces using masks and more layering to begin to explore potential compositions. 

1pm – Lunch is Served

2pm to 6pm

Explore the techniques of the morning on different surfaces, coloured paper, text, tissue/photocopy, rice paper. Cutting stencils to compliment the botanical specimens with the aim of exploring negative and positive space and motifs.

7:00pm – Dinner is Served

Evening to be spent at your leisure.

Day 3 – Sunday 4th September 2022

9am – Breakfast is Served

10am to 12pm

Reviewing work so far and selecting what to call complete at this stage and what to take further. This could result in exploring collage over less successful areas or drawing and painting back into the compositions. The possibilities are endless and plenty of examples and books to inspire you as to the possibilities.

12pm – Lunch is Served

1pm to 3pm

Bringing pieces to a conclusion. When is it finished what makes a strong composition? Mounting completed works and using less successful prints in creative ways to achieve unexpected outcomes. For example, using serendipity to cut from the reverse of less successful prints, exploring both stylised botanical shapes and accurate forms. Collage these to generate more ideas and outcomes.

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3pm to 4 pm

A review of all the work created and suggestions as to how this can be extended and developed back at home.  Farewells 

4pm - Farewells & Check-Out

Please note: this schedule is only an outline and may be subject to change depending upon the weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

Do I need to bring the kitchen sink...?

This retreat will be all inclusive with all meals as above provided as well as tea, coffee and water throughout the day. There will also be a fruit bowl and some snacks provided but if you feel that you need anything a bit more specific, please do bring this along with you.

The art sessions will take place outside in our covered patio area and the Great British weather can’t always be relied upon so please do bring with you warm clothing including a raincoat and suitable footwear for walking in the countryside. Warm PJs are always suggested in case the temperatures drop overnight.

For the evenings, if you wish to use the hot tub don’t forget your swimmers! We provide towels for both the hot tub and the showers and also provide shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in the washroom so only minimal toiletries are needed.

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Our comfy beds are fully furnished with warm duvets and extra blankets are available, all you really need to bring with you is clothing and personal toiletries.

Book Now

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Bookings can be made directly online by clicking here or simply send us an email to hello@longberryfarm.com

Full payment must be made at the time of booking in order to secure your place on the retreat

Full Booking Ts&Cs can be found by clicking here