IMMERSIVE COURSES
Courses over a long weekend or week, with professional artists - painting, drawing, printmaking & ceramics.
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We have onsite accommodation. You can book in as a resident and stay with us, or a ‘non-resident’ if you wish to stay elsewhere or if you live nearby.
More information here
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We have an onsite chef that will cater for you during the course, including any dietary requirements you have. We grow lots of our own herbs and vegetables, use local suppliers and keep chickens for fresh eggs. More info here
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Costs for all courses are listed with each course.
Painting - 5 day course, Intuitive Abstract Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media with Kate Trafeli - SOLD OUT.
An experimental intuitive painting course working with acrylics and mixed media, this course is suitable for painters of all abilities. It will be particularly useful if you have some painting experience and want to experiment with abstraction and how you use colour, or if you have a more experience but you want to free up from your current style and spend some time experimenting with a different approach.
Pottery - Exploring slips with Laurel Keeley - SOLD OUT.
In this immersive weekend pottery course you will work in stoneware and focus on simple forms thrown on the wheel or made from slabs, moulds and coils. You’ll then spend time decorating using coloured slips and drawn lines. This is an ideal course if you want to slow down and pay attention to the forms you are making, and to be introduced to, or develop, your skills in applying and experimenting with coloured slips and the use of oxides.
Intermediate Painting & Drawing for Improvers - 5 Day course.
This inspiring and enjoyable drawing & painting course for improvers is for those that have taken part in beginners courses and want to progress their work.
Francine Lawrence and Susi Hoyle have taught over 2000 people to draw and given them the confidence to keep drawing.
Pottery - An experimental approach to hand-building in stoneware, focusing on pinching and coiling with Rachel Wood - SOLD OUT.
I’m thrilled to announce Rachel Wood as a new tutor for 2025. This course aims to refresh, revitalise and deepen your connection with the hand building techniques of pinching and coiling. Using an experimental approach, you will be able to gain confidence, develop competent skills and befriend your clay.
You will learn and apply surface decoration and mark making techniques to add vitality and life to your work, so that the natural qualities of the clay, and the experience of being at Coombe come shining through.
Pottery - 5 day throwing course with Sabine Nemet - SOLD OUT.
We are delighted to be welcoming back to Coombe the utterly brilliant and talented Sabine Nemet. Sabine will be teaching a five day throwing course, focusing on the shapes and forms she makes and is known for.
MUD & WATER - Open water swimming & pottery.
We created this new course in 2023 offering tutored sessions in both outdoor swimming and pottery led by hugely talented and experienced potters Laurel Keeley and Jodie Crook Giles and Outdoor Swimming Society Director Kari Furre. It was a huge success so its back for 2024.
Ceramics - Slab built and Slip-painted Ceramics – Responding to Place - 5 Day course with Anna Lambert.
This is an immersive five day intensive pottery residential with the internationally recognised potter Anna Lambert. Anna builds her work from a white earthenware mixed clay, using a variety of handbuilding techniques.
Printmaking - Silkscreen Monoprinting with Tessa Pearson - SOLD OUT.
In this course Tessa will introduce you to the fabulous techniques for making monoprints using a silkscreen. This very experimental and unpredictable printmaking method uses no prepared matrix and each print is basically a one off painting created from layers of handpainted and drawn imagery pulled through a screen . Tessa will share her own techniques and we will also explore additional elements of drawn marks and collage with cut stencils. Imagery will be drawn from sketchbook explorations , and time will be spent considering colour and composition. This course is suitable for all abilities with a sense of adventure, prepared to embrace the unexpected!
Pottery - 5 Day course with Laurel Keeley.
This is an immersive five day intensive pottery residential for intermediate potters focusing on handbuilding with the internationally recognised potter Laurel Keeley.
Laurel works with coloured slips and drawn line in stoneware and porcelain clays, with glazes and oxides applied.
Painting - DAVID MANKIN Remembering in Paint - 5 day course, Abstract Landscape Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media - SOLD OUT.
Join David on an exciting voyage through the expressive handling of paint and materials, mark making and collage.
He will guide you through the process of translating the shapes, textures, feelings and moods of the landscape in paint.
Pottery - How to Set Up Your Pottery Studio - 1 day course.
A one-day course designed for anyone setting up their own pottery studio and looking for practical hands-on advice and guidance.
What’s the best system for recycling clay? How much shelving will I need? What goes in a studio risk assessment? Who are good UK suppliers? What size kiln do I need? Do I need three phase electric supply…A pugmill…a slab roller…a spray booth? Where can I get the best buckets?
Pottery - 5 Day Teapot Throwing Course with Tim Andrews.
An intermediate pottery throwing course focusing on all the elements of making a teapot and cups. Tim has taught around the world for over thirty years - workshops, lecturing, FE & HE.
He trained originally with David Leach and at Dartington. Tim exhibits internationally - most recently in Japan, China and Australia.
Printmaking - Japanese Mokuhanga - 4 day Workshop with Lucy May Schofield - 1 place available.
During this immersive workshop, you will be introduced to the traditional Japanese art of water-based woodblock printmaking.
Mokuhanga is perfect for anyone interested in a non-toxic, water-based, table-top printmaking technique.
Ceramics - DYNAMIC EARTHENWARE with DYLAN BOWEN.
Dylan Bowen. Making and decorating dynamic slip decorated earthenware - During this course Dylan will demonstrate and teach various techniques based on his own work.
Introduction to Pottery Weekend - Throwing & Handbuilding.
A three day course designed specifically for anyone wanting to work with clay for the first time. This course led by Coombe Director Lara Lloyd and you will have a chance to both handbill and throw on the wheel.
Painting - DAVID MANKIN Remembering in Paint - 3 day course, Abstract Landscape Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media.
Join David on an exciting 3 day voyage through the expressive handling of paint and materials, mark making and collage.
He will guide you through the process of translating the shapes, textures, feelings and moods of the landscape in paint.
Painting - DAVID MANKIN Remembering in Paint - 5 day course, Abstract Landscape Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media.
Join David on an exciting 5 day voyage through the expressive handling of paint and materials, mark making and collage.
He will guide you through the process of translating the shapes, textures, feelings and moods of the landscape in paint.
Painting - DAVID MANKIN Remembering in Paint - 5 day course, Abstract Landscape Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media.
Join David on an exciting 5 day voyage through the expressive handling of paint and materials, mark making and collage.
He will guide you through the process of translating the shapes, textures, feelings and moods of the landscape in paint.
Pottery - 5 Day Porcelain throwing course with Adam Frew - SOLD OUT.
We are thrilled to be adding a new pottery course at Coombe in 2021 with the hugely talented potter Adam Frew. We have long admired the work of Adam who makes clean, simple forms on wheel. Based in rural Northern Ireland Adam works in porcelain, creating thrown functional and large one-off pots
CERAMICS: TASTER SESSION
A 2.5 hour pottery taster session - have a go on the wheel and handbuild with a professional potter and experienced teacher.
CERAMICS: Rescue Remedy
Having some problems with your throwing? Getting some glitches you want to get fixed? Want tips to go bigger? Rescue remedy is a 2.5hr class for up to 5 throwers with a professional potter and teacher that will work with you to help rescue you from bad habits and fix glitches.
FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
A deposit of £150 is required at the time of booking, this is to secure your place on the course and is non-refundable and non transferrable unless we are cancelling the course in which case you will be refunded. The balance of course fees are required three weeks before your course starts. They are also non-refundable and non transferable, therefore we suggest you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in the event that you are unable to attend your course. Download our full Terms & Conditions for courses here
Is there availability on the course I want?
SOLD OUT courses will be marked as 'Sold Out', and there will not be an option to ‘add to cart’ other courses will have availability.
I can only eat certain things, will this be a problem?
Not at all, when you book your place the booking form will ask you for our dietary and/or access requirements so just let us know and we’ll cater for you accordingly.
Can I bring my dog?
Coombe is home to chickens who supply our eggs, as well as wide variety of people, some of whom have canine allergies. Therefore we don’t support owners bringing their dogs with them/dogs on site. Our neighbours next door at Fingals do accept dogs therefore you have the option of booking with us as non resident and staying next door with your dog.
Do I have to have lots of experience?
No, all our courses are suitable for all abilities except where expressly described i.e. painting for beginners. The rest of the courses are suitable for all, from artists making a living from their work, to complete beginners and we welcome this mix.
What is the cost of a course?
Course prices range from £370 + VAT for a long-weekend to £815 + VAT for a 5-day residential course full board - see each specific course for exact prices.
Do you take waiting lists?
Yes, please email us to join a waiting list for a specific course or tutor or email us here.
How do I get from Totnes train station to Coombe?
Recommended taxi companies from Totnes are Badger Cabs or And Some Cabs. If you let us know when your train time we can see if others would like to share a taxi with you. Sometimes we are also able to pick you up depending on arrival times so do check with us. At the end of the course, we can give you a lift back to Totnes train station.
If I book as a resident, will I have to share a bedroom?
No all our rooms are for single occupancy unless you expressly wish to share a double room with a partner, in which case just let us know at the time of booking, for everyone else all rooms are for single occupancy.
How do I book on to a course?
Click onto the course for more information and online booking OR call us and we can either book you in over the phone or send you a booking form in the post 01803 722 352.
I’m not sure which course is best for me, can someone advise me?
Yes of course, give us a ring to discuss your interests and level of experience and we can advise you on different options and answer any other queries you may have 01803 722352.
Question not answered?
If your question isn’t answered here, please do get in contact with us