Making Space for… a visual dictionary
Four weeks. Six people. Building a personal visual language, one mark at a time.
A small, intimate workshop programme held around the table in Lady Bay, Nottingham. Four consecutive Thursday evenings, 19:00-21.00 starting 19th November.
This is the adult version of a course already running for young people at Young Creator's Lab - the same core idea, explored at a different pace and depth. Not an art class. No right answers, nothing to copy.
Over four weeks, you'll develop a personal way of making marks - starting from black pens only, and slowly building outward into colour, pattern, and a visual language that's entirely your own.
Book your place or find out more in the booking section
The Visual Dictionary format
Each session works on square pieces of paper rather than one continuous book. The first week is pure experiment, no plan, no destination, just making marks and seeing what emerges.
The second and third weeks extend that visual language further, building a real vocabulary of marks that are recognisably yours.
In the final week, everything comes together: your squares become a single fold-out document that opens like a map, the same marks now telling a larger, connected story.
Four-Week Progression
Week one: experimental mark-making, square paper, no pressure to make anything "finished."
Weeks two and three: extending that language further, each square adding to a growing personal vocabulary.
Week four: pulling everything together into one fold-out document that unfolds like a map, your own marks now forming something larger than any single square.
The Session Rhythm
Every session follows the same shape:
A short masterclass - examples from artists across history, opening doors rather than prescribing outcomes
A worksheet activity - testing and exploring before committing anything to the page
Focused working time - building your own pages
Group reflection — hearing how others responded is part of the learning
A brief look ahead to next week
What's Included
All materials for building your personal visual dictionary
A simple mark-making kit to keep
Four sessions of facilitated creative time with Paul Liptrot
Practicalities
Four Thursday evenings, 19, 26 November, 3, 10 December 2026, 19:00–21:00
Location: Around the table at Paul’s home in Lady Bay, Nottingham. Full address confirmed on booking.
Group size: Maximum six people
Experience: All levels welcome, no experience necessary
Cost: £100 for all four sessions. £25 non-refundable deposit to secure a place, remaining £75 paid before the start date. Full refund if Studio | Paul Liptrot cancels.
Good to know: Dougie the briard is part of the studio — large, gentle and occasionally present.
Book Now!
£100.00 for the full four-week course. £25 deposit to secure your place. Payment link will be sent for the remaining amount to be paid before the start date.
What's included
All four Thursday evening sessions, 7:00–9:00pm
All materials for building your personal visual dictionary
A simple mark-making kit to keep
Led by practising artist and creative educator Paul Liptrot
How it works
Sessions run Thursdays 7:00–9:00pm on 19, 26 November and 3, 10 December 2026
Around the table at Paul's home in Lady Bay, Nottingham, full address confirmed on booking
£25 non-refundable deposit now, remaining £75 due before the course starts
Prefer to pay per session? Book that option instead
Practical details
All levels welcome, no experience necessary
Maximum 6 people
Dougie the briard is part of the studio, large, gentle, occasionally present
To discuss the course before booking, get in touch via the contact form.