Event Details
Saturday 25 April 2026
10am to 4pm | £120 per person
Acclaimed artist Richard Kitson will introduce you to the medium of masters old and new. Using still-life and simple landscape imagery as the subject matter, participants will be guided in the fundamentals of oil painting. with a focus on colour mixing, mark making, tonal values, form and composition.
About the session
The workshop will cover techniques, including:
- Colour mixing
- Mark making
- Tonal values
- Form and composition
Offering a combination of demonstrations and one to one support, Richard will help you improve your technique and understanding of this popular and versatile medium. The session is suitable for absolute beginners, and those wanting to improve their skills. You will learn practical advice on how to set up a studio at home so you can continue your painting practice. Richard will also offer advice on which materials to use.
Meeting point and time
Meet at 9.50am at the top garden gates (near the Stables) ready for a 10am start.
Materials and refreshments
All materials will be provided. Please bring an apron, smock or overalls to protect your clothes.
Tea and coffee will be provided. We'll also break for lunch. Please bring a packed lunch, or you can purchase hot meals, soup, and sandwiches in The Carriage House Café.
Accessibility
The Old Potting Shed is a step-free, accessible venue with an accessible toilet.
If you have specific needs or require a carer's ticket, please contact us at education@chatsworth.org.
About the Artist
Richard Kitson is a figurative artist based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Kitson’s work has been featured in selected group exhibitions including the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize, Figurative Art Now and the Cork Street Open. Kitson has exhibited in the UK and internationally and was a participant in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2018. His work hangs in various public and private collections.
For more information, visit www.richardkitson.co.uk
You can also find Richard Kitson on Facebook and Instagram.
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Stay With Us
With miles of walks on the estate and in the national park, as well as centuries of heritage, art and design to explore, Chatsworth and the Peak District are a dream destination for an unforgettable escape. Find a stay with us in a hotel, inn, cottage, or shepherd’s hut here.
Main image: Enya by Richard Kitson
