Cool Contours - Inspirational arts & crafts centre
Telephone: 01295 660755 ~ Mobile: 07973 175206 ~ Email: heather@coolcontours.co.uk
Entrance to Cool Contours

Art Class

Holiday Let Bedroom
Work is now complete on the conversion of redundant farm buildings into a
state-of-the-art new arts and crafts centre set in rolling hills on the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire borders.

Click here to download the Cool Contours Brochure in .pdf format

The centre, named Cool Contours, offers a wide range of arts and crafts courses, from painting, pottery and rural crafts through trug-making to creative writing. Gourmet lunches can be provided and on-site accommodation with continental breakfast supplied to the rooms is available for people coming from out of the area.

The Cool Contours arts and crafts centre is the vision of owner Heather Banister: "My dream is to unite my own passion for arts and crafts with the stunning and inspirational setting we have here at Warden Hill, north of Banbury."

Heather, herself an art teacher, explained the versatility of the new centre:
"As well as the organised courses, the centre is available for hire by societies, businesses and charities who wish to hold small meetings in a relaxing location. At other times, the on-site accommodation of three self contained twin/double bedrooms are available as holiday lets with continental breakfast supplied to the rooms."

Arts and crafts courses
Courses at Cool Contours started in April 2009 and the centre was officially opened in June. See below for course details or click here for more details information about the courses.

Holiday Lets
The self-contained twin/double bedrooms each have their own kitchen and bathroom with continental breakfast supplied to the rooms and provide an ideal location for quiet rural breaks and the opportunity to explore the exceptional countryside. (Grading applied for)

Special Breaks & Studio Hire
We are happy to organise special days or short breaks for art clubs or tutors looking for something or somewhere different. Perhaps your club would like a change of scenery and come and experience this stunningly beautiful part of the Country. I can provide very good studio facilities, excellent lunches and homemades cakes. If required a tutor can be arranged and on site accommodation.


Thursday 14th January
Glass reflections with Eileen de Mortimer-Griffin - This day course with Eileen offers a unique opportunity to try something very different. Learn to create a vibrant picture using glass inks and outliners, using these materials in a modern approach but reflecting the ancient art of stained glass. Suitable for all abilities including beginners. 10am-4pm
Price £45 which includes all the specialist materials needed for the day. Also included in the price is a home cooked two course lunch coffee/tea and cake at the end of the day.
For booking a place contact Heather Banister.


Glass Reflections with Eileen de mortimer-Griffen


Wednesday 27th January
Creative Knitting and Crochet -if you can knit and or crochet but would like to do something a bit more creative or inspirational with your skill, come along to this workshop and learn how to 'freeform', creating scumbles which can then be put together to make a bag. Knitting kit, with all you need for the day, will be provided (a huge variety of yarns in all kinds of colours and textures will be available for you to choose from) including a re-usable cotton bag for all your projects when you become hooked on knitting! Check out Prudence Mapstone's work at www.knotjustknitting.com for some truly inspirational work in this knitting art form! 1 day. 10am - 4pm including an excellent lunch and tea/coffee available all day and homemade cake for tea at the end of the day. Price: £40. Contact: Heather Banister - To see examples of Julie's work go to www.mrdarceyscottage.co.uk


Knitting Workshop


Tuesday 9th February
Colour schemes for the creative embroiderer with Marilyn Hall: This workshop will show you how to develop colour schemes from the natural world which is all around us, from the landscape to the smallest shell or flower. We will then explore ways to record these for future use in creative embroidery and have time to turn one or two into a sample textile pieces. Ideal for anyone of any level who loves fabric wants to play with colour for the day. Price: £50 - 10am-4pm including tea/coffee all day, an excellent lunch and homemade cake for tea.
Contact Heather Banister. Click here for more details about this course


Marilyn Hall


Saturday 13th March
Introduction to digital photography and Photoshop.
Fiona and Colin Baker are both professional photographers working in the commercial and social photography market. Colin is also a graphic designer. Their work covers all photographic requirements from weddings, portraits, advertising and commercial events. One day from 10am - 4pm.
Click here for more details about this course


Photography Workshop


Saturday 20th March
Life drawing workshop: Expressive colour and human form. 1 Day Workshop with Melanie Wright - The focus of this workshop is on experimenting with the expressive element of life drawing through colour. Through observing the variation of flesh tones throughout the body and the effect of light on colour, students will be encouraged to develop their colour awareness and drawing techniques in both a representational and expressive way. Places on this workshop are limited to ensure a high degree of individual tuition. Suitable for students of all levels of experience. Materials used will include colour pastels, or aquarelle pencils (water soluble pencils) on white and toned paper. A list will be supplied on booking a place. Price: £75 for the day, including model fees and a homecooked lunch, coffee/tea and a cake at the end of the day.    Click here for more details about this course


Life drawing with Melanie Wright


Wednesday 24th March
Introduction to digital photography and Photoshop.
Fiona and Colin Baker are both professional photographers working in the commercial and social photography market. Colin is also a graphic designer. Their work covers all photographic requirements from weddings, portraits, advertising and commercial events. One day from 10am - 4pm.
Click here for more details about this course


Photography Workshop


Wednesday 14th April
Mixed media day workshop - By Popular Demand Judy Davies has returned to do another mixed media day workshop. This will start at 10am with coffee/tea, which is freely available all day, with an hour's break for a lovely two course lunch at the farmhouse. The day will end with homemade cake for tea when you can unwind. This is a day to get rid of all your inhibitions and create your own piece of art to take home. Very suitable for beginners as well as the experienced. Price: £50 materials not included.
Contact Heather Banister. Click here for more details about this course


Mixed Media with Judy Davies

Wednesday 21st April
Abstract designing for creative embroidery with Marilyn Hall: Together we will unravel the mysteries of abstract design by using the surroundings at the studio as the starting point for simple, effective designs. Develop ways of recording what you see and then how to transform it into a working design. During the afternoon we will transform your design into a creative embroidery. Ideal for anyone of any level who wishes to learn more about designing for textiles . Price: £50 - 10am-4pm including tea/coffee all day, an excellent lunch and homemade cake for tea.
Contact Heather Banister. Click here for more details about this course


Marilyn Hall

Saturday 24th April
Portrait Drawing - Constructing the Head (Line & Tone) 1 Day Workshop with Melanie Wright - An opportunity to experiment with creating expressive flesh tones in colour. Working from the model and concentrating on the head and neck, various exercises will be employed to enable observing and putting down colours and tonal relationships. Building harmony and using colour as a vehicle for expression will be the key. Materials will include colour pastels, conte sticks and colour drawing or aquarelle (water soluble) pencils on white and mid tone paper. Students to provide their own materials. Price: £75 including model fees. Also including a homecooked lunch, tea/coffee and a cake at the end of the day. Click here for more details about this course

Life drawing with Melanie Wright

Wednesday 28th April
The Landscape in Spring with Caroline Chapell: Inspired by the views from the studio, explore composition, colour and mark- making in acrylic paint. Caroline is a very experienced teacher and an ideal person to get you off to a flying start with acrylics, a very versatile medium. Because of popular demand the student can come back from the winter landscape workshop and continue with a spring landscape, or come for the first time to be inspired - The Day will start with coffee/tea at the earlier time of 10am and it will end with homemade cake for tea at 4pm with an hour's lunch break at mid day, again all homemade.
Price: £45.
For bookings contact tutor direct. carolinetchapell@googlemail.com

Seasonal Landscapes with Caroline Chappell

Thursday 13th May
Free machine embroidery for beginners with Marilyn Hall: This workshop will teach you the technique of free machine embroidery for use in creative embroidery. If you are a competent machine user with a desire to be creative this could be the one for you. During the day you will learn the basic method of working and experiment with a variety of effects. You will go home with a wide range of samples and notes which you will be able to use as a reference for your future creative work. This workshop will require you to bring along an electric sewing machine that can do straight and zig zag stitching with a darning foot attachment. Price: £50 - 10am-4pm including tea/coffee all day, an excellent lunch and homemade cake for tea.
Contact Heather Banister. Click here for more details about this course


Marilyn Hall

Saturday May 15th and Sunday 16th
Expressive Landscapes weekend course with Melanie Wright: This weekend offers the prospect of exploring fresh approaches and responses to the landscape by creating a journal, or series of studies. There will be painting both outdoors (weather permitting) and in the superb studio with views of the stunning landscape from every door and window. Areas such as expressive mark making, using mixed media and expressive colour mixing and composition are covered. The days will start at 10am and end at 5pm with an hours lunch break. Suitable for beginners and the more experienced. Students to supply their own materials. Price: £150 for the two days which includes coffee/tea all day and a fantastic lunch with homemade cake for tea. Click here for more details about this course


Melanie Wright

Saturday May 22nd
Sketching outdoors With Tony Pearson: This day is a must to get that sketch book filled up. Tony is back again by popular demand. He takes you out with your paints, pencils and easels over this beautiful farm to parts you would not normally be allowed to go! If it is wet you can sketch the stunning views that surround the studio from the inside. The day starts at 10am and ends with homemade cake for tea at 4pm. There is a break in the middle of the day for lunch back at the farmhouse. Price:£45, this includes everything except materials.
Click here for more details about this course


Tony Pearson

Wednesday 16th June
Cupcake decorating techniques with Vicki Hoskins from 11am - 2pm

This very popular cake decorating workshop is aimed at mothers who enjoy baking but aren't baking professionals. The workshop demonstrates simple effective techniques which can be learnt in just one session. No materials are needed, only an apron. Price: £40 including starting the day with brunch coffee/tea and ending the workshop with, you've guessed it, a decorated cupcake, coffee/tea.
Click here for more details about this course

Cupcake Decorating with Vicki Hoskins

Tuesday 22nd June
Watercolour workshop - Judy Davies is back by popular demand for a watercolour day. On this day you can really get to grips with wet'n'wet and learn Judy's special touch with the paintbrush. With all the breathtaking panoramic views surrounding the studio you can fail to be inspired and go home with a great painting. Very suitable for beginners as well as the experienced. the day starts with coffee/tea at 10am and ends with homemade cake for tea at 4pm. There will be an hour's break where you will have a delicious two course lunch at the farmhouse. Price: £50 materials not included.
Contact Heather Banister. Click here for more details about this course


Watercolour with Judy Davies

Warden HlilFor more information

Booking a workshop
Bookings can be made by contacting Heather Banister by Email or Telephone and all bookings require a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the cost of the course. The rest of the cost to be paid two weeks before the workshop. Some workshops are booked direct with the tutors and these are indicated.

Check the website, which will be frequently updated, for more workshops for this spring and autumn and going into the new Year 2010, including basketry, photography, hurdle making, creative textiles, structured walks over our many beautiful footpaths, weaving, willow/hazel workshops and many more.

If you have a query about Cool Contours and the courses available, please contact us.

Telephone: 01295 660755
Mobile: 07973 175206
Email: heather@coolcontours.co.uk

Postal address:
Cool Contours
Warden Hill
Chipping Warden
Nr Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX17 1AJ