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

 

The Collaboration

The Collaboration

Since last December Karen Stamper and I have been engaged in a collaboration and I thought it was about time I wrote a blog about it. As I’m sure you are aware we go back a while. I’m not sure when it began but we both taught in Cambridgeshire and our paths would...

Under Pressure

Under Pressure

In addition to standard size presses I compare below , I also compared the Sizzix Big Shot Pro with my 'Traditional Etching Press' scroll down or click here. UPDATE FEB 2024. The manufacturer of the etching press complained about this video, but clearly didn't listen...

Artist in an Airbnb

Artist in an Airbnb

I find the concept of 'holiday' difficult. Whilst I love to travel, visit new places, enjoy different cultures the idea of sitting and relaxing is something I do not relate to. Before politics and pandemic got in the way we would spend many months a year in Spain...

Bookmark Reflections

Bookmark Reflections

Having spent much of last year printing from packaging, towards the end of last year I started searching for different types of bases, ones that are found, have a history. Exploring the palimpsest, whether that's from reworking old paintings or using found textures...

Reflecting on play and intention.

Reflecting on play and intention.

Intention matters to the artist—the act of creation by nature is intentional. While art can be serendipitous, overall it is not accidental, we go into the studio with the intention to make art!  The prevailing advice given to many artists, particularly those starting...

re-collection; drawing from memory.

re-collection; drawing from memory.

Like many artists whilst my final outcomes are abstract, they are firmly based in reality; from observational drawing, tracings, photography, rubbings and gathering up of items I find on my journey. I call this approach collecting; filling my ‘creative fridge’ to use...

A critical friend

A critical friend

DEFINITION: A critical friend can be defined as a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critiques of a person's work as a friend. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of...

CARVING OUT TIME TO CREATE…

CARVING OUT TIME TO CREATE…

In the UK things appear to be easing. People are meeting up, going out and making tentative plans. Time now seems relevant again. We have had over a year of time being a commodity that has been readily available, now we need to consider how we use it, where it goes,...

ADVENTURES WITH BOXES

ADVENTURES WITH BOXES

I have been had an intense investigation into creating from recycled packaging. In many ways this is a return to ideas that surface regularly within my work; the abandoned, a desire for the insignificant given status….a reoccurring theme. Lockdown highlighted the...

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