• An Introduction to East Asian Calligraphy

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Discover the timeless art of East Asian calligraphy in this engaging hands-on workshop. Participants will begin by exploring the rich history, distinctive styles, and renowned masters of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy. After an introduction to brush and ink techniques on traditional calligraphy paper, the session will move on to extended practice using specially designed calligraphy boards. This focused stage of the workshop offers plenty of time to develop your skills, and each participant will take home their boards as a lasting memento of the experience. Refreshments, expert instruction, and all equipment and materials provided. No prior knowledge or experience required.

    £40
  • Master Colour Mixing Workshop in Acrylic and Watercolour

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Art With Bianca. Across both Acrylic and Watercolour mediums, we will deconstruct the colour wheel, showing you how to mix clean, precise colours—from subtle neutrals and deep shadows to bright, dynamic highlights. You will leave with a clear understanding of value, temperature, and saturation, and the practical skills to mix any colour you can imagine. 9:30am – 3:30pm (30 min lunch) Refreshments will be provided but learners will need to provide own lunch. Resources Required: For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, a sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring at least one palette knife for mixing paint and paper towel or cloths if you’d prefer. It would be very helpful to have a drawing board. Links to resources are suggestions, if learners bring the required equipment it doesn’t need to come from Amazon. * Watercolour and/or acrylic paints * Watercolour paper * Suitable support for Acrylic painting such as a canvas board or pad * Paint brushes suitable for Watercolour and/or acrylic painting * Masking tape * Paint palette and palette knife * Pencil and eraser * Containers for water *Refreshments, please note although there is lactose-free milk and caffeine free beverages, if specialist dietary resources are required, learners will need to provide those themselves, likewise this is not a nut or allergen-free environment, refreshments are ingested at learners’ own risk.

    £30
  • Haunted Landscapes – Nocturn Painting in Gouache and Acrylics

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Art With Bianca. Immerse yourself in the art of Nocturne painting, creating richly pigmented night scenes in your chosen medium. You’ll explore moonlit roads, winter meadows and twilight seascapes, all from the comfort of your classroom! All levels of experience welcome, from absolute beginners to those wanting to polish their technique. 9:30am -1:30pm Refreshments provided, no lunch break but learners welcome to bring their own snacks for a 15 min tea break Resources Required: For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, a sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring at least one palette knife for mixing paint and paper towel or cloths if you’d prefer. It would be very helpful to have a drawing board. Links to resources are suggestions, if learners bring the required equipment it doesn’t need to come from Amazon. A selection of sketching pencils A firm eraser Masking tape Acrylic paints and a support suitable for acrylics such as a canvas pad or canvas board or a thick mixed media paper Gouache paints and watercolour paper or mixed media paper Brushes suitable for both Palette Black watercolour paper would be helpful but not a necessity. Water pots *Refreshments, please note although there is lactose-free milk and caffeine free beverages, if specialist dietary resources are required, learners will need to provide those themselves, likewise this is not a nut or allergen-free environment, refreshments are ingested at learners’ own risk.

    £20
  • Sunsets in the Landscape in Thick & Thin Acrylics

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    With David Pasfield. Saturday 1st November 2025, 9.30am-4pm (please arrive 9am to set up) £48 payable in advance   Using an underpainting technique to apply a first impression painting followed by texture build-up using a palette knife with heavy body acrylics in an impasto style. Free up your painting style, being bold and not worrying about detail. Free refreshments provided, but bring or buy your own lunch Please check the class details for the equipment and materials list Materials: No additional materials cost Equipment & Materials Acrylic paints – vibrant colours Heavy duty Impasto Gel MDF or hardboard (pre-primed with white gesso). You can also use canvasses or canvas board.  (Size should be at least 50x50 cm) Large bristle brushes (old decorator’s brushes will suffice) Palette knife Easel – (table or free-standing) Palette – greaseproof paper over cardboard is adequate, or ‘stay-wet’ palette 2 large water pos and roll of kitchen towel Sketches or photos for inspiration Do wear old clothes as this can be quite messy!

    £48
  • Lino Printing: Christmas Cards

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Art With Bianca. Wrap yourself in the warmth of a cosy Christmas workshop and the satisfying art of Lino printing. In this creative session, you’ll get to design, carve, and print your own unique seasonal card designs. Picture a day filled with the comforting scent of ink and the gentle rhythm of carving, all while creating something truly personal for your loved ones. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, you'll leave with beautiful hand-printed cards and a feeling of festive accomplishment. Arrive for 9:30am to start at 10am – 3:30pm (30 min lunch) Refreshments will be provided but learners will need to provide own lunch. Resources Required: For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, a sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring at least one palette knife for mixing paint and paper towel or cloths if you’d prefer. It would be very helpful to have a drawing board. Links to resources are suggestions, if learners bring the required equipment it doesn’t need to come from Amazon. *Soft cut or traditional Lino sheets *Printing ink *Inking roller *Lino cutting tools. OR Learners can purchase a starter set for Lino printing like this: https://amzn.eu/d/eDjXpnn which has everything you need to create two single block designs, this set comes with black ink. (other colour inks are available to purchase separately). *Plain cards and envelopes like this: https://amzn.eu/d/1KJT32b (These cards are ivory in colour, you can buy any colour plain cards you like as long as your ink shows […]

    £30
  • Watercolour Christmas Cards

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Art With Bianca. Ready to add a personal touch to your holiday season? Join us for a cosy morning of creativity at our watercolour Christmas card workshop! Guided step-by-step through a range of simple watercolour techniques to bring your festive visions to life, you'll learn to create unique, hand-painted cards that are sure to delight your loved ones. This workshop is perfect for all skill levels, so whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh your skills, you'll leave with beautiful, handmade cards and a heart full of festive cheer. 9:30am – 1:30pm Refreshments provided, no lunch break but learners welcome to bring their own snacks for a 15 min tea break Resources Required: For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, a sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring at least one palette knife for mixing paint and paper towel or cloths if you’d prefer. It would be very helpful to have a drawing board. Links to resources are suggestions, if learners bring the required equipment it doesn’t need to come from Amazon. * Watercolour paints, * Suitable paper to make into a card or watercolour paper blank cards like this: https://amzn.eu/d/68792VU (These cards are 5” x 7” and white in colour, you can buy any size plain cards you like as long as they are no smaller than 4”x6").  *Paint brushes suitable for watercolour painting, * Paint palette, * Water pots x 2  *Refreshments, please note although there is lactose-free milk and caffeine free […]

    £20
  • Autumn Morning Light in Thick & Thin Acrylics

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    With David Pasfield. Saturday 29th November 2025, 9.30am-4pm (please arrive 9am to set up) £48 payable in advance   Using an underpainting technique to apply a first impression painting followed by texture build-up using a palette knife with heavy body acrylics in an impasto style. Free up your painting style, being bold and not worrying about detail. Free refreshments provided, but bring or buy your own lunch Please check the class details for the equipment and materials list Materials: No additional materials cost Equipment & Materials Acrylic paints – vibrant colours Heavy duty Impasto Gel MDF or hardboard (pre-primed with white gesso). You can also use canvasses or canvas board.  (Size should be at least 50x50 cm) Large bristle brushes (old decorator’s brushes will suffice) Palette knife Easel – (table or free-standing) Palette – greaseproof paper over cardboard is adequate, or ‘stay-wet’ palette 2 large water pos and roll of kitchen towel Sketches or photos for inspiration Do wear old clothes as this can be quite messy!

    £48
  • Paint Your Pet Art Workshop

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Art With Bianca. Celebrate your favorite furry, feathered, amphibious or scaled friend in our upcoming mixed-media art workshop. Whether you prefer the delicate transparency of watercolors or the bold, vibrant layers of acrylics, this day is dedicated to capturing your pet’s unique personality on canvas. ​Designed specifically for adults, this session offers a relaxed, creative environment where you can focus on honing your skills while honoring your beloved companions.Workshop Details: ​Time: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM ​Mediums: Watercolors and Acrylics ​Experience Level: All levels welcome! ​What to Bring; ​Your Art Kit: Please bring your own brushes, paints (watercolor or acrylic), and preferred painting surface (paper or canvas), a drawing board, and pots for water. ​Reference Photos: Bring one or more clear, high-quality photographs of your pet to work from. ​Lunch: We will take a dedicated break to refuel. Please bring a packed lunch, as food is not provided. ​What’s Included: ​Free Refreshments: Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and light snacks throughout the day. ​Expert Guidance: Hands-on support to help you master pet proportions, fur textures, and expressive eyes. ​Spaces are limited! Treat yourself to a day of creativity and leave with a beautiful portrait of your pet.

    £30
  • Acrylic Painting: ‘Brush Strokes in Time’

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    Art With Bianca. Inspired by the unique art of David Ambarzumjan, this workshop will teach you to create a "painting within a painting." You'll learn to use bold, expressive strokes and rich acrylics to peel back the layers of a scene, revealing a different time or place. Perfect for anyone looking to try a fresh and imaginative approach to painting. Forget conventional landscapes; we'll learn how to layer time itself onto the canvas, transforming a single scene into a powerful narrative. This is your chance to create a piece that tells a story. Image courtesy of David Ambarzumjan. https://david-ambarzumjan.com/brushstrokes-in-time-main-collection 10am – 3:30pm (30 min lunch) Refreshments will be provided but learners will need to provide own lunch. Resources Required: For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, a sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring at least one palette knife for mixing paint and paper towel or cloths if you’d prefer. It would be very helpful to have a drawing board. Links to resources are suggestions, if learners bring the required equipment it doesn’t need to come from Amazon. *Acrylic paints, thicker heavy body paint is ideal * Acrylic GESSO * A paint palette * Canvas board, stretched canvas or canvas paper * Small selection of paintbrushes suitable for acrylic painting * 2x water pots * Wide minimum 3” flat paint brush *Refreshments, please note although there is lactose-free milk and caffeine free beverages, if specialist dietary resources are required, learners will need to provide those themselves, […]

    £30
  • Rough Seas – In Thick & Thin Acrylics

    Braintree Community Centre 19-21 Bocking End, Braintree, United Kingdom
    Art

    With David Pasfield. Saturday 28th February 2026, 9.30am-4pm (please arrive 9am to set up) £48 payable in advance   Using an underpainting technique to apply a first impression painting followed by texture build-up using a palette knife with heavy body acrylics in an impasto style. Free up your painting style, being bold and not worrying about detail. Free refreshments provided, but bring or buy your own lunch Please check the class details for the equipment and materials list Materials: No additional materials cost Equipment & Materials Acrylic paints – vibrant colours Heavy duty Impasto Gel MDF or hardboard (pre-primed with white gesso). You can also use canvasses or canvas board.  (Size should be at least 50x50 cm) Large bristle brushes (old decorator’s brushes will suffice) Palette knife Easel – (table or free-standing) Palette – greaseproof paper over cardboard is adequate, or ‘stay-wet’ palette 2 large water pos and roll of kitchen towel Sketches or photos for inspiration Do wear old clothes as this can be quite messy!

    £48

Click here to view our regular weekly leisure classes, including art, crafts, languages and more!

 

Information for Students

Limited parking to the side and rear of the centre.  Wheelchair access is available at the front of the Centre.
 

Payment

Class fees are payable on the day at reception on arrival.  Workshop fees must be paid 2 weeks before, either in person or by phone unless otherwise stated.