The Northern School of Art has launched a programme of professional short courses for people of all ages and abilities, for the opportunity to learn a new skill or develop an artistic flair.

From textile art and machine sewing, to bookbinding and upcycling, the college is offering a course to suit every taste from now until the end of August at its sites in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.
For those who wish to discover their inner fashion designer, the programme includes a 5-day course on making your own vintage clothes, or people with a passion for fashion can learn how to draw and illustrate their design work to help build up their fashion portfolio. Other workshops include drawing and painting, hand knitting, Chinese calligraphy and painting and natural history illustration

The visiting lecturers teaching the workshops have worked with leading organisations, including the British Film Institute, the Grazia Neri Photo Agency and the London International Festival of Theatre.

Courses range from half a day to five weeks, start from as little as £50 and could lead to a new hobby or even a career change.

Frances Moffatt, a freelance fashion illustrator who has recently published her first book, will be teaching the three-day fashion illustration course in July.  During the workshop Frances will introduce participants to the contemporary fashion illustration landscape, where they will experiment with a diverse range of materials, techniques and processes, including translating fashion ideas into fashion illustrations.

At the end of the course, the participants will have a greater knowledge of the fashion industry and an impressive portfolio of fashion illustrations, making it a great opportunity for potential designers, illustrators and artists.

Frances said: “This course is ideal for anyone who wants to focus on developing their fashion illustration skills to a professional standard.  As it is a three day intensive programme, students can expect to make significant progress and to discover and establish their own distinctive fashion illustration style.”

Alison Smith-Paul, Short and Professional Courses Manager at The Northern School of Art believes the courses will be popular and advises anyone interested to book soon, as places are limited.

She said: “Our short courses are taught by a team of creative industry professionals and leaders in their field from across the UK, Italy and as far afield as Sri Lanka. They offer a fantastic chance for people to develop existing skills that they may use in business or at home, such as dressmaking with our pattern-making course, or learn more about a new hobby, such as the traditional art of bookbinding, which can create the most beautiful handmade notebooks.

“It is perfect for people of all ages and levels, who may work in the industry or those who wish to try out a new activity which has always interested them and want to experience a taste of what it is all about.”

For more information on the courses contact (01642) 288000 or visit https://ccad.ac.uk/shortcourses