Level
FM O 27-29 Mar
Centre
Date
Days
Shared
occupancy cost
Fri-Sun
£251 £227 £170
Sole occupancy Non-Residential
cost
cost
Willow Work: Small Willow Sculptures
The location of many of John
Constable’s paintings, Flatford Mill
runs over 120 Natural History and
Arts courses in a unique and
tranquil learning environment.
Course Overview
This course will show you how to make simple garden sculptures. No previous experience
of willow work is necessary. You can expect to complete at least two projects during the
course and leave with plenty of ideas for further work. Willow is charged at cost
according to how productive you are.
Course Description
Using natural English willow, learn how to design a basic shape and create a simple
framework, and then build your sculpture using a random ‘freeweave’ technique.
Choose from a simple willow sphere or cone, take inspiration from nature with a bird or
hare or even create a human figure. With step-by step guidance and plenty of hands-on
help your own idea can be translated into willow. (Just bear in mind your transport
arrangements with regard to the size!)
By the end of the weekend you should be conversant with some of the terms used in
willow work, be able to select and use materials of different size and quality for a project
and be sufficiently familiar and competent with a few willow work techniques to produce
ONE LARGE OR TWO SMALLER finished articles. Jo will bring all the willow you need so
there will be an extra cost of approximately £4 - £12 per item made depending on size.
The course will involve group discussion, note-taking, sketching, delving into visual
resources, demonstrations, and, most importantly, the practical business of making
willow sculpture. There will be plenty of individual tuition from Jo.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
Friday
After dinner, we’ll meet up in our room for introductions, and to look through the
content of the course. Then we can start learning some basic willow sculpture skills.
Saturday
Today starts with a talk about the materials we’ll need, and a look at how to design and
build the simple forms that will support your piece. By lunchtime our first project should
be well under way.
After lunch we look at any further projects for the weekend, and how these can be
tackled. There will be a mix of group demonstration and individual tuition to help you
develop your work. New tips and techniques will be illustrated, and we’ll share ideas as
we go along.
Evening
Open studio: we set out our work in progress for fellow students to see after dinner - this
is always fun because we can celebrate our work so far and impress everyone.
Afterwards there should be time to dip into a video or DVD.
Willow Work: Small Willow Sculptures
You should go home with two small or one larger sculpture made from locally sourced
willow.
Sunday
The final day will offer time to refine skills and bring pieces to a conclusion, with
emphasis on creating final details and a tidy finish.
Once again, relevant tips and techniques will be demonstrated, and we’ll take time to
tackle any challenges that have arisen so that work can be successfully completed.
Towards the end of the afternoon, we’ll ‘down tools’ to review our learning, celebrate
our creations and look at how to progress with the craft. After a final cup of tea, it’s time
to say goodbye (at 4 o’clock).
About the Tutor
Jo Hammond has a BA(Hons) in Fine Art and has always had an interest in crafts and the
countryside. She was drawn into basketry through discovering how to weave with the
wild twigs and climbers that surrounded her home some years ago. Jo is now a
professional maker and tutor with more than 12 years’ experience and still loves
introducing beginners to this satisfying craft.
Please check out her website:
http://www.johammond.net/
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892
Please bring:
 Sharp secateurs
 Masking tape
 Notebook and pencil
 As this is an outdoor course, please wear warm, practical clothing suitable for
working with damp and possibly dirty materials
 Photos of any bird, animal or shape you want to use as inspiration
Start and finish times
Afternoon tea on Friday is available from 1600, but the first formal activity is dinner at
1900 (with the bar open from 1845!).
Residents: Please aim to arrive between 1530 and 1800 on Friday to allow us sufficient
time to show you to your accommodation and around the communal areas.
Non-residents: You do not need to arrive quite so early but please can you be here by
1800 as we need to show you the communal areas as well.
Willow Work: Small Willow Sculptures
What to Bring
The course ends at 1600 on Sunday.
What the fee includes
Residential course fee includes:
 Full board accommodation including cooked breakfast, picnic lunch, homemade
cakes and an evening meal. Vegetarian and other dietary option available.
 Up to 8 hours teaching time a day, plus relaxing breaks for meals and
refreshments.
 Tea and coffee making facilities available throughout the day.
 Use of resources including library, workrooms, studios and the Centre grounds.
 Transport during the courses.
 Insurance to cover cancellation, personal belongings, personal accident, legal
liability and medical emergency.
If you choose to be a non-resident on a residential course, the fee will include all the
above except accommodation and breakfast.
How to book
Bookings can be made by telephoning the Centre; we are open 0930 – 1700 weekdays
and most weekends. Alternatively, bookings can be made via our website: www.fieldstudies-council.org.
Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org
Fax: 01206 298892