Eyes & Expression Textile Portrait Week
Day Student at Cober Hill Tuesday 23rd - Thursday 25th February 2027
Available spaces
Join award-winning textile artist Holly Capstick for this highly creative three-day masterclass at Cober Hill, where you will explore the beautiful combination of paint, fabric, free-motion embroidery, and hand embellishment to create a striking and expressive textile eye portrait. This immersive workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to develop their textile art skills and discover exciting new approaches to portraiture. Working with layers of fabric, paint, and stitch, you will create a powerful, multi-dimensional piece focused on the eyes — often described as the most expressive part of a portrait. Course Structure Day 1: Preparation & Painting Introduction to Holly’s working methods with plenty of inspiring examples. You will sketch your chosen eyes, transfer the design to fabric, and begin building rich layered backgrounds using silks, cottons, dyes, and paints. Day 2: Free-Motion Embroidery Learn how to use free-motion machine embroidery to “draw” with stitch. Holly will guide you step-by-step (no previous experience needed), helping you add expressive detail and texture to your portrait. You’ll have plenty of time to practise and develop your stitching layers. Day 3: Embellishment & Presentation Finalise your stitching, then add hand embroidery, embellishments, extra paint, or appliqué as desired. In the final session, you will learn how to professionally mount and present your finished textile eye portrait in a 9-inch display hoop, ready to take home and treasure. All materials, fabrics, paints, threads, sewing machines, and equipment are provided. You may work from reference photos provided by Holly, or bring your own eye images (printed at a maximum of 8 inches diameter). This workshop is suitable for intermediate artists and confident beginners. Some prior experience in drawing or painting portraits is helpful, but no experience of free-motion embroidery is required. The workshops takes place at: Cober Hill Cloughton Scarborough North Yorkshire YO13 0AR The workshops runs daily from from 10am to 4pm. Please arrive at Cober Hill between 9.30am and 9.45am for refreshments before heading to the studio for a prompt 10am start.
Cancellation Policy
Booking & Cancellation Policy Payment Options You can pay in full at the time of booking via card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal, or choose to pay a 25% deposit and pay the remaining balance 45 days before the event. Cash payment can be made in person at the school, shop or venue. Deposits A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place on Workshops, Courses and Residentials. This deposit is non-refundable in all circumstances. Balance Due If you pay by deposit, the remaining 75% balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the start date. We will send you a reminder email with a payment link. Cancellation Policy Residential Stays at Cober Hill More than 12 weeks before arrival: Full refund minus £50 admin fee per person. 6–12 weeks before: 75% refund. 4–6 weeks before: 50% refund. Less than 4 weeks before: No refund. We strongly recommend you take out travel/holiday insurance for residential stays.