Workshops & tuition

Do you want to gain confidence and experiment, with some more bespoke guidance in my studio in Holtby, or working outside?

You might want to come on your own or come with a friend/small group of friends.

• Explore your own style and ideas in a relaxed studio environment or outdoors
• Experiment with mediums – play, explore and develop
• Connect/re-connect with your own creativity and skills
• Overcome nervousness about making mistakes – there are no such things!
• Develop your observational skills
• Work from sketches and studies.

Please contact me to discuss your own requirements.

Prices start at £40/person for a two-hour bespoke session. Please contact me to discuss your requirements and I will provide a quote.

Do you feel a bit daunted by joining a life drawing class and don't know where to begin?

Kate offers one-to-one/small group sessions in her studio that will familiarise you with the basics. Learn how to think about and visualise the body's structure and proportions, and gain confidence as you begin your life drawing journey. You will be working from photos and Kate will demonstrate some movement and poses (clothed) to help you visualise joints and proportion.

From £40 per person for a two-hour session in Kate's studio.

Contact Kate to discuss your requirements and book.

Please see details of this year's workshops below and sign up to my newsletter to be the first to know about any new workshops and events.

This year's workshops are:

• 'Wildflowers' Sketching and Botany Day at Birkdale Farm, Terrington
• Plein Air Day at Birkdale Farm, Terrington
• 'Fungi' Sketching and Botany Day at Birkdale Farm, Terrington

Is it a gift? Vouchers are available, which can be redeemed against workshops and tuition (booked via this website, directly with Kate) as well as other artworks and gifts purchased from my studio or online shop. Alternatively, contact Kate to book a session/workshop.

Click here to read the terms and conditions for booking workshops and tuition with me (bookings through other websites are subject to their own terms). If anything's unclear, just get in touch.

Birkdale Farm near Terrington, North Yorkshire. View map here.

Birkdale Farm is a 300 acre working family farm in the heart of the beautiful Howardian Hills National Landscape. It is a haven for wildlife and all their farming practices nurture biodiversity.

£120 per person including tea/coffee and home made cake (max eight people per workshop)

Half-day sessions are £50 per person (max ten people per workshop)

Bring your own materials.

Enjoy guided botanical observations and sketching on a beautiful farm in the rolling Howardian Hills with Kate Pettitt (artist) and Frances Standen (conservationist, farmer and protected landscape management specialist). Frances will tell you all about the plants and wildlife in front of you while you work, allowing you to understand the place and flora of the landscape you are drawing/painting in more depth. Kate will guide your sketch book observations and techniques to help you collect useful visual information and explore your mediums.

Through the day, we will work out in the landscape and study details up close either outside or in the barn or cottage (depending on the weather and the subject matter). We will have lunch in the barn or cottage, and delicious home made cake, tea and coffee will be provided.

The aim of the Sketching and Botany workshops is to take away a series of sketches and studies that capture the unique spirit of the place and the subject matter in whatever style you wish to work in, but in a way that will aide recall and develop a a deeper understanding of the fascinating ecology of the area.

There will be some short creative exercises designed to help you 'get your eye in', relax into your surroundings and peel back the layers of colour, tonal and textural information in front of you, before visually exploring the subjects that capture your own interest. We will discuss how to record useful information in your sketch book so that it will aide your work and trigger memories of the landscape, flowers, fungi and wildlife when you're back home. Throughout the day you will be guided in the use of your materials and Kate will share techniques that will help you to loosen up and work expressively.

Half-day taster sessions will include some quick exercises and guided sketching (the full-day workshops will go into more depth and allow more time to study and experiment).

Home made charcoal, honey and free range eggs will also be available to buy on the day.

Please note that these are not a botanical illustration workshops.

Nature / landscape lovers (aged 15+*), with an interest in wildlife, flora and ecology, and who love to draw, or who want to give it a go! The rolling landscape at Birkdale Farm provides the perfect backdrop for our day and the locations we work in will allow you plenty of choice and variety.

Please see workshop descriptions above for specific details of the 'Wildflower' and 'Fungi' days content.

The workshops are suitable for all artistic abilities, whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned artist. You will receive guidance based on your own needs.

You will be encouraged to explore your materials, learn to look/observe and record useful information in your sketch book for later use.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet like-minded people and enjoy the very special location.

*  Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will take full responsibility for their safety and wellbeing. Please note that these workshops are designed for adults, so under 18s will receive the same tuition and attention as the adults taking part.

This is an outdoor workshop and some walking across farm land with some gentle hills and rough/muddy paths will be required. Please make sure that the location is suitable for your own mobility/health requirements. Some flexibility regarding inclement weather conditions is essential. See the Workshops terms and conditions and do contact me if you have any questions. Specific details and directions etc will be issued a week before the workshop.

Kate Pettitt is an artist based in York. She is experienced in the skills required to paint and sketch outdoors and uses her own sketches and outdoor studies to inform her studio paintings. Her work is exhibited and represented by galleries in England and Wales. Kate will provide artistic advice and guidance throughout the day.

Frances Standen is a farmer, shepherdess, ecologist, wild swimmer and cake baker! She has worked in conservation and protected landscape management for nearly 30 years providing freelance services with a specialism in land management. Frances will tell you all about the wildflowers and ecology of the site as you sketch, and answer any questions you might have.

Bring your own materials but TRAVEL LIGHT! Don't be tempted to bring too much – remember you will have to carry it around all day, so think 'portable'.

I recommend the following:

• Sketch book that can take a bit of water (A5 is ideal, but no larger than A3-ish)
• Graphite pencil (water soluble if possible)
• Charcoal/black pastel pencil
• Chalk/white pastel pencil
• Tube of white gouache
• Watercolour paints
• A maximum of three brushes of different sizes (can be water brushes)
• Lightweight fold-up chair (seat pads are available for sitting on the ground, but you might prefer to have more support/comfort)
• OPTIONAL – Any other (lightweight) materials you like to use or want to experiment with eg. pastels or acrylics.

Please do not bring oil paints or thinners.

I will provide mixing palettes, water containers, A3 boards, pencil sharpeners and a selection of essential art materials that can be borrowed on the day should you forget yours. Sketch kits can be purchased from my shop, if required.

Other things to bring and consider:

• Bring a packed lunch and a drink
• If sunny, bring sunscreen and you might find a hat useful
• Bring any medication you might require
• Wear sensible footwear suitable for walking on uneven ground and a bring a waterproof if it looks like it might be showery
• Bring a bit of cash with you if you want to buy art materials, home made charcoal and/or eggs etc.

Birkdale Farm near Terrington, North Yorkshire. View map here.

Birkdale Farm is a 300 acre working family farm in the heart of the beautiful Howardian Hills National Landscape. It is a haven for wildlife and all their farming practices nurture biodiversity.

£120 per person including tea/coffee and home made cake (max eight people per workshop)

Half-day sessions are £50 per person (max ten people per workshop)

Bring your own materials.

Enjoy a day painting outside on a beautiful farm in the rolling Howardian Hills with Kate Pettitt (artist) and Frances Standen (conservationist, farmer and protected landscape management specialist). Frances will tell you all about the landscape, plants and wildlife in front of you while you work, allowing you to understand the place and flora of the landscape you are drawing/painting in more depth.

Kate will give you guidance and tips on how to paint what is in front of you, including how make decisions as to what to focus on, how to edit the view and capture a moment, and use your materials creatively. She will also talk about the practicalities of working outside, what kit to take, and what she has learned over the years through trial and error!

The day will start with some compositional and colour exercises on paper, before moving on to paintings or drawings that you will complete. The aim of the day is to enable you to feel more confident working outside and give you useful techniques that you can use to overcome some common plein air hurdles (and have fun doing it). The whole day will be spent working outside, so there will be plenty of time to observe, learn, ask questions and experiment.

Please note that this outdoor workshop will only run if the weather is suitable. If storms or persistant rain are forecast, the workshop may be cancelled or rearranged as working inside is not an option for plein air painting. Please see workshop terms and conditions for more details.

This workshop covers drawing and water-based mediums only. Please do not bring oil paints or thinners to the workshop.

Anyone (age 15+*) with an interest in painting outside in the landscape and who wants to learn how to capture a view. The workshops are suitable for all artistic abilities, whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned artist. You will receive guidance based on your own needs.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet like-minded people and enjoy the very special location.

*  Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will take full responsibility for their safety and wellbeing. Please note that this workshop is designed for adults, so under 18s will receive the same tuition and attention as the adults taking part.

This is an outdoor workshop and some walking across farm land with some gentle hills and rough/muddy paths will be required. Please make sure that the location is suitable for your own mobility/health requirements. Some flexibility regarding inclement weather conditions is essential. See the Workshops terms and conditions and do contact me if you have any questions. Specific details and directions etc will be issued a week before the workshop.

Kate Pettitt is an artist based in York. She is experienced in the skills required to paint and sketch outdoors and uses her own sketches and outdoor studies to inform her studio paintings. Her work is exhibited and represented by galleries in England and Wales. Kate will provide artistic advice and guidance throughout the day.

Frances Standen is a farmer, shepherdess, ecologist, wild swimmer and cake baker! She has worked in conservation and protected landscape management for nearly 30 years providing freelance services with a specialism in land management. Frances will tell you all about the wildflowers and ecology of the site as you sketch, and answer any questions you might have.

Please bring your own materials but remember that you will need to work with them outside and carry them to the location, so don't be tempted to bring too much. You will need:

• Water-based paint – acrylic and/or watercolour. Please do not bring any oil paints or thinners.
• Drawing materials you like to use, such as a soft pencil (5B+), water soluble graphite, charcoal etc
• Mixed media pad (or fairly heavy cartidge paper), A3 or larger, for sketching, quick studies and exercises or use with pastels (not too large - you'll have to carry it!)
• If working in acrylics – two inexpensive canvasses, A3 or larger (not too large - you'll have to carry them!). If you prefer to work on paper, bring an acrylic, watercolour or mixed media paper pad instead, A3 or larger. A block is a good option as the edges are glued on all sides, and keeps the paper stretched
• If working in watercolour – fairly heavy watercolour paper pad (300g/140lb is ideal), A3 or larger. A block is a good option as the edges are glued on all sides, and keeps the paper stretched
• Brushes suited to your chosen media
• Mixing palette
• Water container
• A fold-up field easel (you can work on your lap or on the ground without one, but you might find it more comfortable to use an easel)
• Lightweight fold-up chair (if working at an easel, you may prefer to stand while working, but you might not want to stand all day)
• OPTIONAL – Any other (lightweight) materials you like to use or want to experiment with eg. pastels or acrylics.

Kate will provide spare mixing palettes, water containers and seat pads (for sitting on the ground), some A3 boards, pencil sharpeners, pastel/charcoal fixative, and a selection of essential art materials that can be borrowed on the day should you forget yours or want to try something different.

Other things to bring and consider:

• Bring a packed lunch and a drink
• If sunny, bring sunscreen and you might find a brimmed/peaked hat useful
• Bring any medication you might require
• Wear sensible footwear suitable for walking on uneven ground and a bring a waterproof if it looks like it might be showery
• Bring a bit of cash with you if you want to buy home made charcoal, eggs etc from the farm.

Birkdale Farm near Terrington, North Yorkshire. View map here.

Birkdale Farm is a 300 acre working family farm in the heart of the beautiful Howardian Hills National Landscape. It is a haven for wildlife and all their farming practices nurture biodiversity.

£120 per person including tea/coffee and home made cake (max eight people per workshop)

Half-day sessions are £50 per person (max ten people per workshop)

Bring your own materials.

Enjoy guided botanical observations and sketching on a beautiful farm in the rolling Howardian Hills with Kate Pettitt (artist) and Frances Standen (conservationist, farmer and protected landscape management specialist). Frances will tell you all about the plants and wildlife in front of you while you work, allowing you to understand the place and flora of the landscape you are drawing/painting in more depth. Kate will guide your sketch book observations and techniques to help you collect useful visual information and explore your mediums.

Through the day, we will work out in the landscape and study details up close either outside or in the barn or cottage (depending on the weather and the subject matter). We will have lunch in the barn or cottage, and delicious home made cake, tea and coffee will be provided.

The aim of the Sketching and Botany workshops is to take away a series of sketches and studies that capture the unique spirit of the place and the subject matter in whatever style you wish to work in, but in a way that will aide recall and develop a a deeper understanding of the fascinating ecology of the area.

There will be some short creative exercises designed to help you 'get your eye in', relax into your surroundings and peel back the layers of colour, tonal and textural information in front of you, before visually exploring the subjects that capture your own interest. We will discuss how to record useful information in your sketch book so that it will aide your work and trigger memories of the landscape, flowers, fungi and wildlife when you're back home. Throughout the day you will be guided in the use of your materials and Kate will share techniques that will help you to loosen up and work expressively.

Half-day taster sessions will include some quick exercises and guided sketching (the full-day workshops will go into more depth and allow more time to study and experiment).

Home made charcoal, honey and free range eggs will also be available to buy on the day.

Please note that these are not a botanical illustration workshops.

Nature / landscape lovers (aged 15+*), with an interest in wildlife, flora and ecology, and who love to draw, or who want to give it a go! The rolling landscape at Birkdale Farm provides the perfect backdrop for our day and the locations we work in will allow you plenty of choice and variety.

Please see workshop descriptions above for specific details of the 'Wildflower' and 'Fungi' days content.

The workshops are suitable for all artistic abilities, whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned artist. You will receive guidance based on your own needs.

You will be encouraged to explore your materials, learn to look/observe and record useful information in your sketch book for later use.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet like-minded people and enjoy the very special location.

*  Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will take full responsibility for their safety and wellbeing. Please note that these workshops are designed for adults, so under 18s will receive the same tuition and attention as the adults taking part.

This is an outdoor workshop and some walking across farm land with some gentle hills and rough/muddy paths will be required. Please make sure that the location is suitable for your own mobility/health requirements. Some flexibility regarding inclement weather conditions is essential. See the Workshops terms and conditions and do contact me if you have any questions. Specific details and directions etc will be issued a week before the workshop.

Kate Pettitt is an artist based in York. She is experienced in the skills required to paint and sketch outdoors and uses her own sketches and outdoor studies to inform her studio paintings. Her work is exhibited and represented by galleries in England and Wales. Kate will provide artistic advice and guidance throughout the day.

Frances Standen is a farmer, shepherdess, ecologist, wild swimmer and cake baker! She has worked in conservation and protected landscape management for nearly 30 years providing freelance services with a specialism in land management. Frances will tell you all about the wildflowers and ecology of the site as you sketch, and answer any questions you might have.

Bring your own materials but TRAVEL LIGHT! Don't be tempted to bring too much – remember you will have to carry it around all day, so think 'portable'.

I recommend the following:

• Sketch book that can take a bit of water (A5 is ideal, but no larger than A3-ish)
• Graphite pencil (water soluble if possible)
• Charcoal/black pastel pencil
• Chalk/white pastel pencil
• Tube of white gouache
• Watercolour paints
• A maximum of three brushes of different sizes (can be water brushes)
• Lightweight fold-up chair (seat pads are available for sitting on the ground, but you might prefer to have more support/comfort)
• OPTIONAL – Any other (lightweight) materials you like to use or want to experiment with eg. pastels or acrylics.

Please do not bring oil paints or thinners.

I will provide mixing palettes, water containers, A3 boards, pencil sharpeners and a selection of essential art materials that can be borrowed on the day should you forget yours. Sketch kits can be purchased from my shop, if required.

Other things to bring and consider:

• Bring a packed lunch and a drink
• If sunny, bring sunscreen and you might find a hat useful
• Bring any medication you might require
• Wear sensible footwear suitable for walking on uneven ground and a bring a waterproof if it looks like it might be showery
• Bring a bit of cash with you if you want to buy art materials, home made charcoal and/or eggs etc.