Weekend Workshops
2026 April Easter Weekend Workshops
- 4th – 5th April, Easter Weekend Clay Sculpting Weekend 10am-4pm (Now full and taking names for a waiting list)
- 11th – 12th April, Pastel Weekend 10am-4pm (spaces now available)
- 18th – 19th April, Easter Weekend Clay Sculpting Weekend 10am-4pm (Now full and taking names for a waiting list)
For quick answers regarding the weekend workshops please check our FAQ section
If you wish to register or be added to a waiting list for any of these weekends then please use the contact form
Pastel Pencil Weekend Workshop
11th-12th April 2026 10am-4pm including lunch and materials £175.
Book to secure your spot at this fun and comprehensive Pastel pencil weekend workshop for adults. The Workshop includes teas, coffees and a delicious lunch on both days. Materials and paper for the weekend are also included.
Get started with exercises which we then put into practice. Before you know it you’ll create stunning and lifelike pastel pencil drawings!
This workshop is both for complete beginners and for those wanting to take their pastel pencil paintings to the next level. Perhaps you’d even like to start selling your artworks.
You will learn about different tools available for highly detailed drawings and put them into practice. Then we will dive into the foundations for realistic drawings and explore the different techniques for layering and blending.
The workshop in April will be at the Workshop on 38 New Row, PH15QA, Perth, Scotland.
Spots are limited to 12 people max, so book now to secure a spot!
A Material recommendation will be sent out after booking.
Nicky de Graaf is an art teacher at the workshop, a wildlife and former pet portrait artist who specializes in coloured pencils to create lifelike realistic drawings. You can find some of her work on her Instagram: @createwithnicky
Clay Sculpting Weekend Workshop details
Whether it is an escape from the norm or a chance to explore untapped creativity, the workshop offers a chance for both.
It is ideal for either beginners or people with more experience. Bring along an idea of what you would like to make and Julian will help you bring it to life over the course of the weekend. Starting with simple techniques we will develop your idea, working on form, pose and texture. The finished sculptures are left at the workshop to dry for a couple of weeks and then fired. They can then be collected and taken home to finish but many people like to come back for an afternoon several weeks after the workshop and paint up their finished pieces. I tend to keep costs for doing this very reasonable depending on the time taken.
Gift vouchers are available should you wish to treat someone else who might enjoy this.
October – Clay Sculpting Weekend on the 25th-26th, 10am – 4pm both days. It is now full but I will take names on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
December there will be a Clay Sculpting Weekend on the 6th – 7th and the 13th-14th, 1pm – 6pm Saturdays and 10am-5pm Sundays. Both are now full but I will take names on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
2026
- 3th-4th April , Ester Weekend, Clay Sculpting Workshop
- 18th-19th April Clay Sculpting Workshop
How much does it cost and how many people will be attending?
Maximum of 12 people
Course costs £175 (this increases to £185 for the 2026 workshops)
If you are interested in attending the weekend workshop please use the contact form.
Frequently asked questions
Question – “I’ve no experience at all in clay, will I manage this course?”
Answer – Absolutely yes. Many of the people who have come on my courses over the last decade have had absolutely no experience or start the conversation with me “I last did clay at school and it blew up!” . Come along and surprise yourself with just what you can achieve with some guidance.
Question – “What do I make on the weekend?”
Answer – While I am a wildlife sculptor people have made a wide variety of things at the weekend. It may be your favourite animal, a pet, a fantastic or mythological beast or perhaps something figurative. I have over 25 years of experience teaching clay so there is not much I have not tackled over the years. Pieces are generally around 30-40cm in size, sometimes people make two smaller pieces.
Question “will the work be fired on the weekend?
Answer – No the work needs to dry for 2-3 weeks before it is fired so I contact you after the weekend to arrange either returning to decorate the piece or posting it to you.
Question – “I have a specific food requirement, can you cater for me?”
Answer – Normally yes. I use a very good local deli to provide the lunches and they do cater for vegetarian, vegan and have options for gluten free
Question – “Do I pay for the course in advance or put down a deposit?”
Answer – No. Since the pandemic I have taken to charging people on the weekend itself just in case people happen to be unlucky enough to get ill just prior to the course. If you know you might have to cancel for some other reason please give me as much notice as possible so I can refill the place.
Question – “Can I buy a voucher for the weekend to give as a gift and if so do I need to specify the date?”
Answer – Yes you can buy a voucher as a gift for someone. I will post you the voucher and an accompanying letter that gives details about the workshop and all future dates that I currently have advertised. The person receiving the voucher can then organise a time that suits them.
Question – “Is there somewhere to park nearby?”
Answer – Yes there are several options. Just across the road in New Row is a private car park that is pay and display and you can get a ticket for the whole day or there is the council run car park at Thimblerow which also offers a full days parking and is just 2 minutes walk away. On Sundays the AK Bell public library has free parking and is just across the road in York Place or any of the on street parking is free also on Sundays in Perth.
Question – “I am travelling from further afield to come to the workshop, can you recommend any places to stay?”
Answer -The following bed and breakfast accommodation is within 2-10minutes walk of the workshop and I have had good reviews about them from people who have attended in the past.
Clay Sculpting Weekend Workshop details
Whether it is an escape from the norm or a chance to explore untapped creativity, the workshop offers a chance for both.
It is ideal for either beginners or people with more experience. Bring along an idea of what you would like to make and Julian will help you bring it to life over the course of the weekend. Starting with simple techniques we will develop your idea, working on form, pose and texture. The finished sculptures are left at the workshop to dry for a couple of weeks and then fired. They can then be collected and taken home to finish but many people like to come back for an afternoon several weeks after the workshop and paint up their finished pieces. I tend to keep costs for doing this very reasonable depending on the time taken.
Gift vouchers are available should you wish to treat someone else who might enjoy this.
October – Clay Sculpting Weekend on the 25th-26th, 10am – 4pm both days. It is now full but I will take names on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
December there will be a Clay Sculpting Weekend on the 6th – 7th and the 13th-14th, 1pm – 6pm Saturdays and 10am-5pm Sundays. Both are now full but I will take names on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
2026
- 3th-4th April , Ester Weekend, Clay Sculpting Workshop
- 18th-19th April Clay Sculpting Workshop
How much does it cost and how many people will be attending?
Maximum of 12 people
Course costs £175 (this increases to £185 for the 2026 workshops)
If you are interested in attending the weekend workshop, please call the workshop on 01738621836 or use the contact form.
Frequently asked questions
Question – “I’ve no experience at all in clay, will I manage this course?”
Answer – Absolutely yes. Many of the people who have come on my courses over the last decade have had absolutely no experience or start the conversation with me “I last did clay at school and it blew up!” . Come along and surprise yourself with just what you can achieve with some guidance.
Question – “What do I make on the weekend?”
Answer – While I am a wildlife sculptor people have made a wide variety of things at the weekend. It may be your favourite animal, a pet, a fantastic or mythological beast or perhaps something figurative. I have over 25 years of experience teaching clay so there is not much I have not tackled over the years. Pieces are generally around 30-40cm in size, sometimes people make two smaller pieces.
Question “will the work be fired on the weekend?
Answer – No the work needs to dry for 2-3 weeks before it is fired so I contact you after the weekend to arrange either returning to decorate the piece or posting it to you.
Question – “I have a specific food requirement, can you cater for me?”
Answer – Normally yes. I use a very good local deli to provide the lunches and they do cater for vegetarian, vegan and have options for gluten free
Question – “Do I pay for the course in advance or put down a deposit?”
Answer – No. Since the pandemic I have taken to charging people on the weekend itself just in case people happen to be unlucky enough to get ill just prior to the course. If you know you might have to cancel for some other reason please give me as much notice as possible so I can refill the place.
Question – “Can I buy a voucher for the weekend to give as a gift and if so do I need to specify the date?”
Answer – Yes you can buy a voucher as a gift for someone. I will post you the voucher and an accompanying letter that gives details about the workshop and all future dates that I currently have advertised. The person receiving the voucher can then organise a time that suits them.
Question – “Is there somewhere to park nearby?”
Answer – Yes there are several options. Just across the road in New Row is a private car park that is pay and display and you can get a ticket for the whole day or there is the council run car park at Thimblerow which also offers a full days parking and is just 2 minutes walk away. On Sundays the AK Bell public library has free parking and is just across the road in York Place or any of the on street parking is free also on Sundays in Perth.
Question – “I am travelling from further afield to come to the workshop, can you recommend any places to stay?”
Answer -The following bed and breakfast accommodation is within 2-10minutes walk of the workshop and I have had good reviews about them from people who have attended in the past.