AMONG THE BLOOMS

Finding Freedom Through Floral Painting at Hidden Huntley

Saturday 15th August 2026
9:30am – 4:00pm

Early Bird £150 | Standard Price £165

Spend a day immersed in the abundance of Hidden Huntley's August gardens, learning how to move beyond careful painting and towards expressive, intuitive work full of colour, movement and personality.

Join artist and tutor Aly Harte for a rare in-person painting experience set within the extraordinary surroundings of Hidden Huntley.

Known for her vibrant, expressive paintings and online teaching, with demonstrations viewed more than 3 million times , Aly has helped thousands of artists discover a more confident and enjoyable way to paint. This workshop offers the opportunity to experience that teaching in person, surrounded by the beauty and inspiration of one of Northern Ireland's most enchanting private gardens.

The partnership between Aly's expressive approach to painting and the rich seasonal atmosphere of Hidden Huntley creates a unique environment for creativity to flourish.

Set amongst a beautifully cared-for Victorian estate, you'll spend the day surrounded by blooms, mature gardens, an elegant greenhouse, a characterful hay shed and hidden corners that seem made for sketching and painting.

Throughout the day, Aly will guide you through charcoal gesture drawing, tonal studies, colour exercises and acrylic painting demonstrations designed to help you loosen your approach, trust your instincts and create work that feels energetic, personal and alive.

Using willow charcoal, you'll explore gesture, shape and tonal value, discovering how strong foundations in drawing can bring greater confidence, atmosphere and depth to your paintings.

This is not about painting every petal.

This is about capturing the feeling of a bloom rather than the detail of a flower.

While flowers will be our primary inspiration, the character of Hidden Huntley offers endless creative possibilities. From late-summer borders overflowing with colour to the textures of weathered timber, greenhouse glass and historic architecture, every corner offers something beautiful to respond to.

Working from observation, you'll learn how to transform what you see into expressive paintings that celebrate colour, movement and atmosphere.

Using a deliberately limited five-colour palette, Aly will demonstrate how colour theory can unlock endless possibilities in your work. You'll discover how a simple palette creates harmony, confidence and freedom, allowing your own artistic voice and mark-making to emerge naturally.

By the end of the day, you'll leave with a collection of sketches, studies and finished paintings, alongside practical techniques and fresh ways of seeing that will continue to influence your work long after the workshop has ended.

What You'll Learn

• Expressive willow charcoal gesture drawing

• Understanding tonal value and its role in painting

• Colour theory using a simple five-colour palette

• How to mix a wide range of colours from limited materials

• Loose and confident brushwork and palette knife

• Simplifying flowers into shape, movement and colour

• Creating expressive floral paintings inspired by the garden

• Developing your own personal mark-making language

• Moving beyond observation towards interpretation

• Creating artwork with atmosphere, energy and individuality

Materials

Aly teaches using a deliberately limited palette, helping you gain a deeper understanding of colour mixing and colour relationships without becoming overwhelmed.

Please bring:

• Cadmium Red acrylic paint

• Cadmium Yellow acrylic paint

• Ultramarine Blue acrylic paint

• Titanium White acrylic paint

• Mars Black acrylic paint

• A4 sketchbook

• Willow charcoal

• One large flat brush

• One smaller flat brush

• A canvas of your choice

Please note: If your canvas is larger than A3, please bring your own easel. Easels will be provided for smaller canvases.

What's Included

• Full day tuition with Aly Harte

• Additional materials from Aly’s studio to use during the workshop.

• Live demonstrations throughout the day

• Table easels for smaller canvases

• Extra brushes and painting tools

• Water pots and mixing equipment

• Paper plate palettes

• Cold drinks available throughout the day

• Tea and coffee on arrival

• Morning tea and coffee break

• Homemade tray bakes served at approximately 11am

• Access to the beautiful Hidden Huntley grounds and sheltered spaces

• All exercise materials supplied by Aly, which you may take home afterwards

Who Is This For?

Suitable for adventurous beginners through to experienced painters.

Whether you're looking to build confidence, loosen your approach or simply spend a day immersed in creativity, this workshop offers practical guidance, inspiration and space to explore.

Aly's teaching focuses on helping you see differently, trust your instincts and develop a more personal and expressive way of painting.

If you're craving dedicated time to paint in beautiful surroundings, surrounded by colour, nature and like-minded people, this day is for you.

Lunch

Cold drinks will be available throughout the day. Two coffee beaks will be provided. One on arrival and 11am you can enjoy a homemade traybake, fruit and snacks.

Please bring your own packed lunch to enjoy at 1:30pm/2pm.

To help accommodate participants with allergies, we kindly ask that lunches do not contain nuts where possible.

Venue & Travel

Hidden Huntley

88 Dunmurry Lane
Belfast
BT17 9JS

Located just a short drive from Belfast city centre, Hidden Huntley is a hidden oasis of gardens, historic buildings and creative inspiration.

With ample on-site parking and a variety of indoor and sheltered spaces, the workshop will run comfortably whatever the weather.

Investment

Early Bird £140

Standard Price £165

Places are intentionally limited to allow for individual guidance and support throughout the day.

Cancellation Policy

Bookings cancelled more than four weeks before the workshop date are eligible for a refund.

Unfortunately, cancellations made within four weeks of the workshop cannot be refunded.