Textile art 4-day school with Ellie Hipkin
Come and spend a blissful 4 days immersing yourself in the world of textile mixed media art! This isn’t a rigid, structured course—it’s all about creative freedom, playful experimentation, and discovering new ways to bring texture, colour, and stitch together in your own unique way.
Across 4 relaxed and inspiring days, you’ll explore a variety of mixed media techniques, layering paint, fabric, and embroidery to create beautifully textured abstract artworks. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned creative, this winter school is your chance to experiment, build confidence, and spark new ideas—all with Ellie’s guidance and encouragement along the way.
What will we cover?
Each morning, Ellie will introduce a new technique with a demonstration, then the rest of the day is yours to explore, play, and make it your own. There’s no pressure to get it ‘right’—just a chance to experiment, combine ideas, and build up a collection of mini artworks. Throughout the week, you’ll be able to keep adding to your pieces, layering techniques and developing your own artistic voice.
Here’s a little taste of what we’ll be diving into:
Day 1: Textile Painting – Abstract mark-making, and botanical printing.
Day 2: Textures – Adding textures to the mini artworks with mediums and heat treatments
Day 3: Textural Free-Motion Embroidery – Adding movement and depth with expressive stitched lines.
Day 4: Hand Embroidery for Texture – Simple stitches to add a tactile, raised finish to your designs.
How will I be taught?
Do I need any previous experience or skills?
Suitable for anyone who wishes to explore their creativity through the medium of textile art, no experience needed!
Are materials provided? Is there anything I need to source myself?
All materials are provided, please bring an apron to protect your clothes. You may wish to bring a sketchbook to record ideas and add to your creative play (optional)
What will I take home with me?
By the end of the 4 days, you’ll have selection of beautiful mini artworks—ready to frame, display, or compile into a sketchbook of ideas for future projects.
Refreshments
Drinks and biscuits will be available but we recommend that you bring a packed lunch with you.
“I’ve just attended a weeks textile art summer school course and I learnt so many new techniques and was astounded about what I’ve learnt and achieved. The tutor was kind knowledgeable creative encouraging and it just totally inspiring. I can’t recommend it enough. Thank you again.”
Lindsay B.
Photography
During all of our workshops photographs are taken for promotional purposes only. Please make us aware at the time of booking if you would prefer not to be included.
Tutor
Ellie fell in love with textile art at school and was drawn back to it after 15 years studying and working in fashion design. Inspired by the calming power of nature on the South Downs and the Sussex coastline, Ellie paints directly onto raw canvas, cottons and silks. She uses natural finds gathered on family walks - such as grasses, seed heads and feathers - to add monoprinting effects, then uses free motion embroidery to add a final layer of texture and detail. Ellie loves sharing these skills in her textile art courses. She sells her own artwork through www.elliehipkinart.com and runs Flourish Textile Art hub at www.flourish-hub.com.
