This class is suitable for students of all abilities
 

'A Year on the Coast' is a brand new series for 2026, brought to you by Karen Carter. Brought up in a seaside town in Sussex she is inspired by her love of all things coastal.
 

Whether you treat yourself to the occasional visit to the coast or live a stone’s throw from the sea, there is always a multitude of things to paint, draw, collect and observe in this most diverse of environments.  From towering cliffs, rocky headlands and the liminal spaces of estuaries and natural harbours, to the tiniest shells and pebbles and the unexpected beauty of beach flowers there is something to inspire at every turn.
 

In August we will look at the beauty of beaches – from the endless variety of stones and pebbles to the unexpected colour of blooming beach-flowers. We will play with a range of simple printing techniques that you can do at home to make a collection of pebbles along with some fun ‘doodling’ to create your own beach (a very soothing and mindful activity!). Then we’ll splash around with paint to depict the beach in full bloom – an amazing sight as a plethora of hardy flowers push their way through the shingle and turn the beach into an oasis of colour.
 

During the class we will work our way through a series of small exercises to keep for reference, plus a more involved piece of work to bring the various elements together.  You can work along with Karen during some parts of the sessions or follow the demos in your own time.