During the weekend, you will learn:

• how to choose the materials for your project
• how to transfer the outline of your image to your base felt (you don't have to be able to draw)
• how to colour blend your wool to achieve shades and tones, by hand and on your picture (you do not require all the colours)
• techniques of how to apply the carded wool to create dimension, light and shade.

On day one we will look at the tools and begin by getting the feel of the wool and the pressure and technique required to attach the wool to your felt.  We will practise an eye on a small piece of felt (supplied by the tutor).  We will go on to look at the ways of transferring the image to the background and will then start our piece by felting the eyes and then the nose.

On day two we will continue felting and towards the end of the day we will discuss ways of mounting your finished piece.

The tutor can supply a kit for £15, which will include a foam block, all carded merino wool, background felt and needles. (Jan will also have additional carded wool and needles of various sizes for those who have their own materials and prefer not to buy the kit.)

Please bring with you a clear head portrait image of your pet, approximately A4 in size, along with a couple of printed reverse images which can be in black and white. The image must show clear details of eyes and nose.
Small pair of sharp scissors, straight pins and a Sulky Heat Transfer Pen. - there will be some to borrow
Notebook and pen

Jan Vincent - NEW TUTOR

Since a child I have been interested in arts and crafts and can’t remember a time when I have not had a pencil in my hand or been sitting at a sewing machine experimenting with textiles. I also have worked with stained and warm glass and have studied with City & Guilds in stained glass and warm glass (kiln formed). I have created many commissioned pieces including 2x2m high panels for a barn conversion. My love for painting with wool started many years ago after seeing an animal portrait in an exhibition and thinking I want to do that. I attended a one to one workshop with the artist of the piece and now after years of practice and more courses, I teach and take on commissions of pets. Over the past year I have completed several portraits of people and I have had commissions for child portraits, which in the future I intend to teach so I can pass on my skills.