I am a painter, a collagist, a printmaker, a tutor, nomadic, restless,  curious, experimental, irreverent, untidy, loud…

 

My work is about journeys; those that I take and the journey that the artwork has been on in my studio. I create paintings and works on paper; prints and collages. Each way of working informs the other and are often combined in a single piece. Find out more.

I am working on an exciting new series of Urban Abstracts. If you want to be kept informed then sign up below.

ONLINE COURSES

I am a highly qualified and experienced tutor, having taught art and design for over three decades.

As well as being a professional artist, I am also a qualified teacher with many years of teaching experience. I am a specialist in teaching adults all aspects of creativity, from beginners to advanced. I currently teach a range of skills and concept online courses that enable me to reach students at all stages of their creative journey, worldwide from my studio in Norwich, UK.

Find out more about my online courses here, or scroll down to view my current courses.

I run two types of courses; SELF-PACED can be bought and done at any time that suits you. I also run three SCHEDULED courses, they run for 6 -8 weeks and during that time I am there daily in the group to answer questions. Registration opens a few weeks before the course starts and places a limited so that I can give individual attention, see my upcoming scheduled course dates:

APPROACHES TO ABSTRACTION running from 3 June – 28 July 2024

URBAN EXPLORATIONS running from 16 August – 27 September 2024

Scheduled courses…

CONFIDENT COMPOSITION

Discover and explore a range of approaches to composition and design

APPROACHES TO ABSTRACTION

For artists confident in their chosen media who want to develop a more abstract approach

URBAN EXPLORATIONS

Explore the surfaces, textures, signage and shapes of the urban environment

DISCOVER COLLAGRAPHY LIVE

Learn how to create, ink and print three types of Collagraph plates

“Just when you think you have learned all there is to learn…. along comes a new Sally Hirst course. Informative, fun and inspirational. By far the best available online and great value for money” Megan

Self-paced courses…

MONOTYPE: MATERIALS & METHODS

Exploring a range of creative monotype techniques

COVER TO COVER

Explore a range of creative artists’ books, and learn how to fill them with exciting prints from cover to cover

COLLAGE CREATIONS

Explore creative collage techniques and use your prints to create fabulous mixed media collages

 

COMPLETE CREATIVE COLLAGRAPHY

Discover an experimental approach to intaglio printmaking

PUSHING PAINT

Learn how to paint using oil and cold wax or acrylics in this three part course

TETRA ETCETERA

Learn how to use Tetra Pak®, cardboard boxes and other boxes to create prints

MAKE TOOLS - MAKE MARKS

Learn how to make your own artist tools, and disrupt your creative process

Testimonials

“Thoroughly recommend Sally’s workshops. They are so well thought out and Sally communicates so clearly. I have been painting for years but doing Sally’s courses are such an inspiration and I am learning so much. Come and join the fun”
Meg

Monotype: Materials & Methods

Just when you think you have learned all there is to learn…. along comes a new Sally Hirst course. Informative, fun and inspirational. By far the best available online and great value for money”
Megan

Monotype: Materials & Methods

“I found it ridiculously inspiring and loved how you guided us through a clear structure and process. Your examples and written instructions makes this course easy to follow and accessible. It’s brilliant and you are a genius!”
Clare

Urban Explorations

“I love the detail and thoroughness of your explanations and demos. So well thought through and taking nothing for granted. I have no formal art training so found the idea of posting my work with such talented people rather daunting but the positive comments and your encouragement have been most appreciated.”
Alan

Complete Creative Collagraphy

“Last year I took two popular online courses. I absolutely loved both courses and learnt a huge amount however my problem was that there was this element in both courses of ‘now go off and paint something’ and I didn’t know what to paint! I then spent some months nearly signing up for courses but feeling that they were not quite what I was looking for – though I didn’t really know what I was looking for. Then along came Approaches to Abstraction. Wow Sally this was it – this was what I needed. I feel I have a toolbox to which I can constantly refer and I am incredibly grateful that you have given lifetime access because I know that every time I get stuck I will revisit the modules”
Bridget

Approaches to Abstraction

“Sally’s courses are always overflowing with information, best value workshops on the market”
Sue

Monotype: Materials & Methods

“You are without doubt the most generous teacher I have ever had. There seems to be no end to the amount of effort you put into teaching and supporting your students. It certainly makes the whole experience incredibly fulfilling and I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying your courses”
June

Cover to Cover

“This is a wonderful course, so much to try and enjoy. The textures concertina has been especially great for me. I have enjoyed every minute of this and I cannot begin to tell you how much pleasure the making and the result has given me. Thank you.”
Christine

Cover to Cover

“Thank you, Sally. So appreciated your clear, measured delivery; your enthusiasm and encouragement; your dedication to those on the course and your vast experience and knowledge. The lessons I will take and mull over for a lot more time yet!”
RB

Confident Composition

“What can I say!!?? What a brilliant course. Thank you so much for opening myself and my practice up to the wonders of Collagraphy.  You have covered everything through the videos, the booklet, the troubleshooting guide, the supply list and your feedback online. Your attention to detail and delivery is second to none. The Ruzuku platform is excellent, I had never heard of it before, but what a great way to deliver an online course and the fact that we can all share our work and learn from each other ad infinitum is just wonderful.“
Fran

Complete Creative Collagraphy

“I liked the structured approach to each module and that there was plenty of really useful content as well as exercises to challenge and enable us to learn. I loved seeing other student’s work and comments too. Your videos are very clear and instructive.”
Leila

Confident Composition

Blog

 

Creating in Spain

Creating in Spain

In my last blog post I wrote about my recent work and how it has developed over the years to a practice that encompasses the range of media I use. In this blog post I want to give you a closer look at my practice. How I collect resources, explore and consider before I...

Thoughts on my recent work

Thoughts on my recent work

In order to create we need tools and a place to create be that a sketchbook or a studio it doesn’t matter, because the tools and the place are symbols. Symbols for means and tradition. We may seek out tools to mark, cut and spread, find pigments in tubes, bottles or...

Water Based Cold Wax Medium?

Water Based Cold Wax Medium?

I love finding new media to work with, but I also love finding media that solves a problem! I often work with oil paint and Cold Wax Medium. It is a lovely way to work, the CWM speeds up the drying time of the oils considerably. The result is a lush paste that you can...

More tools from ELIZABETH SCHOWACHERT!

More tools from ELIZABETH SCHOWACHERT!

Three years ago in 2020, Elizabeth Schowachert sent me some of her hand made brushes and tools to use with oil and cold wax medium. The result was a blog post I wrote for her which has helped countless artists to see how her tools are perfect for painting with oil and...

Paper! Part 2…achieving transparency.

Paper! Part 2…achieving transparency.

My last blog post dealt with the types of paper I like to use for both monotype (gelplate printmaking) and collage. In this blog I am discussing transparency. Why? I like to use transparent and translucent papers in my collages to reveal the papers underneath.  This...

Paper! What I like and why…

Paper! What I like and why…

The aim of my new Collage Creations course is to enable participants to create collages from papers they have made by printing or painting, or found using maps, book papers or dress making tissue. Something about the process of applying paper to a support and watching...

The Pleasure & Pain of an online life

The Pleasure & Pain of an online life

The pleasure I have had from building and sharing my knowledge is immeasurable. One day I will collate all the emails and testimonials I have had thanking me, particularly during those dark days of lockdown. Reading them in my old age will bring a warmth to my heart....

Looking back to move forwards…

Looking back to move forwards…

I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. Over the course of my adult life I have explored endless processes and media. I am aware that I have a tendency to reach for the next shiny thing, like a magpie! I love the thrill of finding a new way of working,...

My StencilGirl Designs are launched!

My StencilGirl Designs are launched!

I first met Mary Beth Shaw, the driving force behind StencilGirl at a GOLDEN gathering in Florida. Despite being small of stature she packs a punch and we hit it off straight away. We have kept in touch. A while ago I was a guest artist on their blog using some of...

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions

Email: sally@sallyhirst.co.uk

Sally Hirst, oneuppergoat studio, 1 Upper Goat Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, UK, NR2 1EW