'Paint with Wool' and Needle Felt your favourite Animal or Pet Portrait ~ with Jane Makes

Over the course of the day, with Jane's expertise and guidance, you'll see your beloved pet (or chosen animal) slowly appear beneath your fingertips as a 2D needle felted and 'painted with wool' picture. You will be using the soft wool fibres, special  needles and other equipment all provided by Jane; just bring along a favourite image of your pet and she will show you what to do.  (see What to Bring)

You will begin by transferring your chosen image from a photograph onto a lightweight hessian or pre felted background to get an accurate outline of your image, you will then be guided through the tools & techniques needed from different breeds of sheep’s wool to which fibres work well and why. Which needles to use for different effects and how to correct mistakes (yes, everyone makes them!) You will build your picture through the manipulation and layout of fibres, using colour choices and shade blending and learn how to create the beautiful intricate expressive eyes, with warmth and realism, to bring your pet to life!

Jane will bring along a selection of 100% real Wool fibres, a foam mat as a working surface, Hessian or pre-felt fabric for your background and 2 felting needles and all these materials  will be yours to take home at the end of the day - just in case you feel the need for a final tweaking of your piece. There will be £15 materials charge payable to Jane on the day.  

9.30am – 4.30pm
£80 inc. a tasty lunch & home baking.
Material Charges: around £15

Dates for this course - see the table below to book:

Thursday 24th April 2025

Kindly note there will be material charges of £15 payable to the tutor directly on the day.  Typically this course runs with around 9 students.  Suitable for Beginners & intermediates.

Please bring:   One A4 image of your pet/ animal in COLOUR and one in Black & White, this is for the transfer process.

TOP TIP : Try to fill most of the A4 with your image (head shots always work best for beginners) and most importantly, please ensure your picture is a sharp clear image with no blurred parts.  This will help you when filling in the fine details to bring your animal to life.About the Artist- Jane first became inspired by various wet felting processes and the intracacies of needle felting some ten years ago.

She originally trained as a seamstress before returning to Education to Study Art & Design at the University of Wolverhampton. Her career path has taken her from Seamstress too Designer to teacher. She now follows her passion for teaching by running various classes in the area, with a specialism in pet and animal Portraits. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout Cumbria and is now available by commission.