A day of drawing and art history with The Arborealists at Asthall Manor and gardens

Book the Full Workshop (Includes Talk)

Register for the Art Talk Only

Vegetarian Lunch/Refreshments by Vaults & Garden, Oxford

The day will be led by tutors Fiona McIntyre and Annabel Cullen in the ballroom and botanical gardens of a Jacobean manor house, with the founder of The Arborealists Tim Craven, giving an illustrated Art History talk at the end of the afternoon. Participants will be split into two groups, so that all can enjoy the opportunity of exploring two very different approaches to drawing trees over the course of the day. While not absolutely necessary, some drawing experience is recommended.

An inspirational location in Oxfordshire:

Asthall Manor is an intriguing place – surrounded by a garden, woodland and meadows that blend into the glorious Windrush valley landscape beyond. It is a private home that regularly welcomes visitors to wander its meandering paths, discover its secret spaces and connect with nature, art and each other. The Arborealists are delighted to be able to offer you this very special day in beautiful, tranquil surroundings.

Drawing workshops:

Fiona McIntyre will deliver sessions in the Asthall Manor gardens, drawing trees on a small lake to focus on the symbiosis of arboreal reflections in water, movement and time passing. Participants will be drawing in colour using a variety of natural media - lump pigments, plant inks, and a simple palette of natural watercolours made in Fiona's studio. You will be encouraged to work intuitively to explore the possibilities of these delicate and naturally harmonious media. Fiona will demonstrate natural drawing tools and techniques to help you build delicate layers and textural effects.

Annabel Cullen will deliver sessions in the Asthall Manor ballroom, working from a collection of tree pieces, bark and roots, using a variety of drawing materials - pencil, charcoal, conté, pastel etc. Participants will be encouraged to respond to the particularity of each piece, its inherent character and sculptural form, and to explore the possibility of discovering a landscape in microcosm. You will be shown one or two practical drawing ideas to help you analyse structure and develop a sense of touch.

Art History Talk:

Tim Craven’s talk 'Trees in British Art History from Thomas Gainsborough to The Arborealists’ will explore the reasons why the tree has such a strong legacy in British Art History and consider its use as a vital, developmental motif from the Romantic Movement to the Pre-Raphaelites, the Post-Impressionists, the Pastoral Etchers, the Neo-Romantics, Land Art and the Ruralists. A metaphor for the human condition, trees are now centre stage as a vital symbol for the global environmental emergency, and are the unifying subject for diverse art practices of The Arborealists.

Seasonal Vegetarian Lunch by Vaults & Garden, Oxford:

Vaults & Garden will provide a simple and delicious vegetarian lunch for participants at the drawing workshops, and light refreshments will be provided for the talk. All locally sourced ingredients are organic.

Fiona McIntyre, Willow Unveiled, mineral pigments on gesso panel

Annabel Cullen, Forces of Nature, charcoal on paper

Graham Sutherland, An Unfinished World, Two Trees, ink and wash with black chalk on paper, 1947

Description supplied by the event organiser.