Workshops
The workshops mostly take place in Dunsden village hall, which is conveniently situated just ten minutes from Henley and Reading. It is in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside on the Chiltern ridge above Sonning in Berkshire. There is plenty of free parking on site.
All of our live workshops need to be paid for in advance. They are available to members only and can be booked and paid for by
(If you haven't created an account on our website (member's login), you will need to do so. If you are not a member yet, please go to our "Join Us" page first).
Normally there is a charge of £25 per workshop for all members.
Bookings will be available 30 days prior to the workshop date.
If places are still available for the workshop a few days before the date, then members can book one extra place for a guest.
Refund policy
Please do not request a refund once a booking is paid for as it risks making the event being unviable - i.e., we need a minimum number of bookings to run the workshop.
In exceptional circumstances, refunds may be approved at the discretion of our Chairperson, Simon Pink. Please contact Simon on contact@henleyacg.org.
A booking can be transferred to another member if you cannot attend. Please confirm any change of booking name using contact@henleyacg.org.
This policy will both protect the future of workshops and ensure fairness to all members.
Future workshops
Painting in Acrylic for beginners
There will be two workshops. You can book only one of the workshops or both.
Workshop one (12th of June - 10am – 3.30pm):
We invite you to a beginner’s day of exploring acrylic painting and its many different techniques. Under the guidance of our Chairman, Simon Pink, he will explain about different brands of paint, types of brushes and how to use them, talk about canvas verses acrylic paper, varnishing work and signing. This is a great workshop for beginners who are not sure where to start with acrylics or if you are more experienced and just want to know more.
Throughout the session, Simon will walk you through each step of painting offering plenty of encouragement and time to explore various acrylic techniques and ask questions. This is an experimental acrylic workshop.
What to bring:
Acrylic paint – bring any colours you may have
Acrylic brushes – bring a good selection of sizes
Blank canvas ideally 50cm x 50cm to experiment on and acrylic pad
Easel - either table top or floor standing
Mixing palette, tear off palette or paper plates
Jam jars for water
Kitchen roll
Table cover / floor cover
Sense of humour & lunch
Workshop two (3rd of July - 10am – 3.30pm):
We will paint a picture together using the techniques you have learnt and honed from session 1. Simon will guide you with your chosen style with encouragement and tips as you go.
What to bring
Please bring any reference picture you would like to paint, this could be a landscape, bird, or foliage.
Acrylic paint – bring any colours you may have
Acrylic brushes – bring a good selection of sizes
Blank canvas ideally 50cm x 50cm
Easel - either table top or floor standing
Mixing palette, tear off palette or paper plates
Jam jars for water
Kitchen roll
Table cover / floor cover
Please bring your own lunch but HACG will provide tea/coffee/milk.
Venue: Dunsden village hall
12 June / 3 July - Tutor Simon Pink
10:00am - 3:30pm
Ceramic Hare
Tutor will provide:
• A pre-made armature to build the animal upon
• All materials to create the hare and add texture to the creature
• Post-workshop glazing and firing
• A date when creatures are ready to collect from a central location point in Henley
Participants to bring:
• Apron
• Any textures – eg lace, netting etc – you may want to use
Workshop format:
• You will make a characterful ceramic hare using a pre-made support structure and sheets of clay.
• A variety of materials such as lace, stamps and rollers will be available to add different textures to each piece of clay.
• The pieces will be taken away to be fired, coloured and re-fired
• before collection after a couple of weeks.
£15 materials fee (includes cost of glazing & firing) payable direct to tutor on the day.
Please bring your own lunch but HACG will provide tea/coffee/milk.
Venue: Dunsden village hall
24 July - Tutor Alison Pink
9:45am - 4:00pm
Reclaimed Beads Jewellery
Workshop format:
Join Mandy Allport from Born Again Bohemia for a full day workshop to make beautiful Bohemia jewellery... all from stunning sustainable, reclaimed beads dismantled from pre-loved jewellery. A unique boho experience to ignite your senses!
During this workshop you will be able to create up to 3 pieces of jewellery which can include earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Specialised wiring skills will be taught together with how to incorporate beautiful beads. Using professional jewellery tools, fixtures and fittings will include sterling silver 925.
Tutor will provide:
• All materials needed including a huge supply of beads, wires, sterling silver fittings
• Professional jewellery tools
Materials charge on the day, or is everything included in the fee?
£8 per person. Includes 2 x Solid Sterling silver (925) fittings (lobster clasps & earrings hooks) for 2 pieces of jewellery, wires and high-quality beads including pearls, crystals.
A Born-Again Bohemia jewellery box for each person to take their pieces home.
People can purchase further fixtures and fittings on the day for a cost of £2.00 per fitting. Some people may find they are able to make 3 pieces in the time scale so they may need more. Please note that the cost of sterling silver has gone up exponentially this past year hence the charge for this.
Participants to bring:
If desired, bring any reclaimed beads from preloved jewellery to transform
Please bring your own lunch but HACG will provide tea/coffee/milk.
Venue: The Pavillion, Henley YMCA
17 June - Tutor Mandy Allport
10:00am - 3:30pm