Dorset Art Course

Tutored residential art course

April 23rd-28th 2026

Join us with one of Dorset’s finest artists at an unforgettable location, to develop your skills and confidence.

Building on the success of our Writing Retreats at Rushay, we’re offering a small group of artists five nights at Rushay, following a course in drawing, colour and sculpture.

The classes, suitable for beginners and those with previous experience, will be led by Clare Trenchard, the acclaimed West Country sculptor and artist. Clare has exhibited widely in the UK and overseas. She is also a gifted tutor, generous and perceptive, and her weekly art classes in Dorset are always oversubscribed. You can see some of her work on her website.

Rushay is an Arts & Crafts country house set in its own gardens and grounds, with nine beautiful bedrooms between the house and cottage. A mile from the Dorset coast, on the edge of the Marshwood Vale, you’ll have plenty of space for quiet work and reflection.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, we want to inspire you, and fire your urge to work and create.

The course gives participants an opportunity to, guided and encouraged by one of England’s finest artists.

Aside from comfortable bedrooms and sitting rooms, we will be serving delicious meals, leaving you free to immerse yourself in your art and work, without distractions.

The classes begin after breakfast, at 10am, with a short break for a light lunch, then on to 4pm – and tea, with cake.

Day 1.

Introduction to drawing ideas. Line, tone and mixed media.

Day 2.

Colour, collage, space and shape. Using colour imaginatively.

Day 3.

Drawing with colour using a model.

Day 4.

Shape, line and colour in the landscape / Sculpting in the studio (an option if we have a rainy day on the landscape day).

Clare studied sculpture at Chelsea School of Art, and has gone on to forge a career as a sculptor and artist.

Clare’s work in each medium concentrates on capturing the essence of the subject, finding its strength, power and movement.

“It’s the essence of the thing that’s important”, she says.

Some of Clare’s latest work is currently on show at Slader’s Yard.