Led by Kate Charlton, Botanical Illustrator & Greeting Card Artist, with historical insight from Neil Crump, Founder of Asterion & Co.
Step into the festive season with this joyful one-day painting workshop at The Old Vicarage, Leigh-upon-Mendip — a reimagined 16th-century farmhouse where tradition and creativity meet.
Working alongside Kate Charlton, a Somerset-based botanical illustrator celebrated for her detailed and characterful greeting cards, you’ll spend the day immersed in colour, foliage, and festive inspiration. Kate will share her process for capturing natural form and texture in acrylic paint, guiding you through how she observes, sketches, and layers paint to bring seasonal plants to life.
Neil will begin the morning with a short talk on the history and symbolism of Christmas foliage — exploring the meaning, and why these evergreens have long been brought indoors as symbols of renewal and light. You’ll have freshly gathered examples from The Old Vicarage garden and local woods to study, sketch and paint — each stem with its own story.
Through step-by-step demonstrations and individual support, Kate will help you develop your own composition — whether that’s a simple sprig of berry-laden holly or a joyful posey of mixed greenery. You’ll first work in pencil before moving into acrylic paint, learning how to mix tones, balance colour, and highlight fine botanical detail.
By the end of the day, you’ll have created a finished Christmas card design which will be professionally printed by Pennybatch Gallery, the same Somerset printmaker who produces Kate’s own collections. Within one week, you’ll receive a set of 100 cards hand delivered to your home featuring your artwork, complete with your name printed on the back as the artist. You may choose to personalise the text — perhaps signing as a family, or including your business details — to make your cards truly your own.
This festive workshop on Thursday 27th November 2025 includes:
A short historical introduction on Christmas plants and their symbolism
Hands-on guidance in sketching and painting with acrylic paint from Kate Charlton
Access to a wide range of fresh foliage harvested from The Old Vicarage garden
All painting materials, cards, and professional printing of 100 finished cards with envelopes
Option to personalise your card back text (family or business use)
Seasonal refreshments and a seated home-cooked lunch in the dining room
Hand delivery of cards to your home to ensure they arrive safely
All abilities are warmly welcome. Whether you’re new to painting or an experienced artist seeking a creative seasonal escape, this day offers a balance of learning, craftsmanship, and Christmas cheer.
Workshop Details
Date: 27th November 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: The Old Vicarage, Leigh-upon-Mendip, Somerset
Pricing: £190 for one person, 10% discount applied for two or more guests booking together (discount applied at checkout)
Includes: All materials, tuition, refreshments, a seated lunch, and a set of 100 printed Christmas cards featuring your own design, complete with envelopes. When booking, you’ll be asked if you’d like additional cards, and we can provide a follow-up quote for the extra quantity.
Spaces are limited to eight guests.
Led by Kate Charlton, Botanical Illustrator & Greeting Card Artist, with historical insight from Neil Crump, Founder of Asterion & Co.
Step into the festive season with this joyful one-day painting workshop at The Old Vicarage, Leigh-upon-Mendip — a reimagined 16th-century farmhouse where tradition and creativity meet.
Working alongside Kate Charlton, a Somerset-based botanical illustrator celebrated for her detailed and characterful greeting cards, you’ll spend the day immersed in colour, foliage, and festive inspiration. Kate will share her process for capturing natural form and texture in acrylic paint, guiding you through how she observes, sketches, and layers paint to bring seasonal plants to life.
Neil will begin the morning with a short talk on the history and symbolism of Christmas foliage — exploring the meaning, and why these evergreens have long been brought indoors as symbols of renewal and light. You’ll have freshly gathered examples from The Old Vicarage garden and local woods to study, sketch and paint — each stem with its own story.
Through step-by-step demonstrations and individual support, Kate will help you develop your own composition — whether that’s a simple sprig of berry-laden holly or a joyful posey of mixed greenery. You’ll first work in pencil before moving into acrylic paint, learning how to mix tones, balance colour, and highlight fine botanical detail.
By the end of the day, you’ll have created a finished Christmas card design which will be professionally printed by Pennybatch Gallery, the same Somerset printmaker who produces Kate’s own collections. Within one week, you’ll receive a set of 100 cards hand delivered to your home featuring your artwork, complete with your name printed on the back as the artist. You may choose to personalise the text — perhaps signing as a family, or including your business details — to make your cards truly your own.
This festive workshop on Thursday 27th November 2025 includes:
A short historical introduction on Christmas plants and their symbolism
Hands-on guidance in sketching and painting with acrylic paint from Kate Charlton
Access to a wide range of fresh foliage harvested from The Old Vicarage garden
All painting materials, cards, and professional printing of 100 finished cards with envelopes
Option to personalise your card back text (family or business use)
Seasonal refreshments and a seated home-cooked lunch in the dining room
Hand delivery of cards to your home to ensure they arrive safely
All abilities are warmly welcome. Whether you’re new to painting or an experienced artist seeking a creative seasonal escape, this day offers a balance of learning, craftsmanship, and Christmas cheer.
Workshop Details
Date: 27th November 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: The Old Vicarage, Leigh-upon-Mendip, Somerset
Pricing: £190 for one person, 10% discount applied for two or more guests booking together (discount applied at checkout)
Includes: All materials, tuition, refreshments, a seated lunch, and a set of 100 printed Christmas cards featuring your own design, complete with envelopes. When booking, you’ll be asked if you’d like additional cards, and we can provide a follow-up quote for the extra quantity.
Spaces are limited to eight guests.
