13 Courses in Edinburgh

Unlock the Artistry of the Written Word with CalligraphyDive into a world where letters transform into captivating works of art, where each stroke of the pen tells a unique story. Welcome to the enchanting realm of calligraphy, where tradition meets creativity, and ordinary writing becomes an extraordinary masterpiece.My "Introduction to Calligraphy" course is your gateway to the mesmerising world of elegant script and graceful lettering. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course offers an immersive journey that will awaken your inner artist and transform your writing into a true work of art.Discover the secrets of calligraphic styles, from the timeless beauty of Copperplate to the bold and expressive strokes of Brush Calligraphy. With expert guidance and hands-on practice, you'll learn the art of manipulating pen and ink to create stunning compositions that captivate the eye and stir the soul.Throughout the course, you'll:Master Essential Techniques: You'll gain a solid foundation in calligraphy techniques that will empower your creative expression.Explore Tools and Materials: Delve into the world of calligraphy tools, from classic dip pens to modern brush pens, and learn how to choose the perfect materials to suit your style.Unlock Your Creativity: Calligraphy is more than just writing—it's a form of self-expression. Discover how to infuse your unique personality and creativity into your lettering, making every piece a reflection of your individuality.Build Confidence: Watch your skills flourish as you gain confidence in your ability to create beautiful, handcrafted letters and designs.Whether you dream of crafting elegant wedding invitations, expressing yourself through decorative lettering, or simply finding a soothing creative outlet, my "Introduction to Calligraphy" course offers the perfect starting point. Join me and embark on a journey of self-discovery, artistic expression, and the timeless beauty of the written word. Unleash your inner calligrapher and let your pen dance across the page in a symphony of elegance and creativity.

Private sketching tours and classes with ink and watercolour artist Mark Kirkham, known locally as The Edinburgh Sketcher hosted by The Arienas Collective, or at an agreed location of your choice.

Edinburgh city centre sketching tours with ink and watercolour artist Mark Kirkham, known locally as The Edinburgh Sketcher

A fun Sketch & Sip class for up to 10 people with local artist Mark Kirkham, known locally as The Edinburgh Sketcher hosted at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh's historic Georgian New Town.

This short course will help you take your images from the screen to final professional-quality prints. We will walk through the processes and techniques needed to take the mystery out of this often daunting and overlooked part of the creative process. By the end of the day you will have gained the skills and confidence to take digital files through preparation in Photoshop, optimisation, and onto physical test printing, adjustments and final output on Stills’ large format Epson inkjet printer. We’ll cover areas critical to the desired outcome including screen and print calibration, paper choice and ICC profile use. By the end of the day you will have two A3 prints on premium Hahnemule matt or gloss papers. Participants should have a basic understanding of Photoshop and attend with a selection of their own RAW files or high resolution TIFFs to work with through the practical exercises. Morning We will begin with evaluating our images and processing the file to maximise print quality output. We will then use Adobe Bridge, Adobe Camera Raw & Adobe Photoshop for the optimisation process. Participants will be guided in preparing their images ready for test printing, before evaluating and adjusting. Discussion will cover using ICC profiles, screen and print calibration, colour rendering, canvas sizing, and sharpening for final print output on various media. Afternoon We will then put the skills we have learned into practice, producing and evaluating test prints before undertaking our final A3 digital inkjet prints. Each participant will finish the session with two finished prints. There will be plenty of opportunity for participants to ask questions at every stage, so that you feel confident and can make informed decisions throughout the whole process. This course is designed for those who are already familiar with some digital photography processes but who want to pursue a particular aspect and develop skills in a specific genre. It is the perfect follow-on from our Digital SLR training courses and will support you in building upon your existing knowledge and allow you to work confidently on your own projects.   Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation. Please read our cancellation policy before booking. Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.

Get to grips with this eye-catching leather (or pleather) long-stitch binding and have fun picking different coloured threads and decorative papers to give your book it’s own unique character.

Create a hardcover hinged book with an intricate Japanese stab stitch – a nifty way of stitching single sheets together and a great book structure to master!

Join Cass for a creative day of mark making and bookbinding inspired by local flora and fauna.

Join artist Julie Galante for an afternoon of homemade botanical inks made from foraged plants and kitchen scraps. In 2023 Julie dove into ink-making, producing more than 300 inks from over 100 different botanical sources. In this three-hour workshop, Julie will share what she’s learned from all these inky experiments, giving you the skills and knowledge to create your own library of botanical colours. She'll share her core learnings, including the best ways to extract colours, the best plants to use, and how to preserve and store your inks. We'll also cover different ways of finishing your inks depending on how you'd like to use them. Please note this workshop will take place in Julie's Stockbridge studio, which is accessible via three flights of stairs. We will also spend part of the workshop foraging outside, weather permitting, so please dress accordingly. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Learn how to lino print onto fabric in this workshop run by local artist Suzanne Kemplay at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh City Centre