FROM felt making to French conversation, screen printing to stories of art, the Brewery is welcoming back an array of talented tutors to inspire students with its Creative Learning courses this autumn.

The Kendal arts centre’s busy programme is packed full of day, evening and weekend courses and workshops for everyone aged 16 and over.

Among the tutors is Catherine MacDiarmid, one of the region’s top artists, who will be sharing her expertise at the ever-popular Introduction to Life Drawing.

Catherine will also be tutoring the Introduction to Portrait Drawing (from September 13), a beginners’ course designed to develop drawing skills through the discipline of portraiture.

Meanwhile, her Oil Painting from Life (from October 29) will cover areas such as mark-making, observational skills and techniques for improving measuring for accuracy.

Catherine’s latest exhibition Personal is at the Brewery until September 28.

Katie Edwards, a screen printer for corporate and commercial projects, will be running a ten-week long Introduction to Screen Printing, giving students a chance to gradually hone their skills.

Back by popular demand are language classes including Italian, French and Spanish, ideal for anyone starting from scratch or wanting to brush up on vocabulary to improve confidence before a holiday.

New to the autumn season is Mixed Media Wire Sculpture (September 18) with tutor Priscilla Edwards - an opportunity to create 3D sculptures with lightweight wire and develop them with materials such as fabric, wax, and paint.

The ten-week Stories of Art: from the Pre-Raphaelites to Bauhaus, led by Jamie Barnes, will give students a relaxed, informal overview of the "secrets and stories in 19th and 20th century art" (from September 18).

The National Trust’s straw-bale Footprint building at Windermere will be hosting a selection of outdoor courses, for those who feel inspired by nature. The new Elements of Drawing (September 23) is described as a natural way to be creative and explore autumnal themes through drawing in the beauty of the woodland.

And as the festive season draws closer, there will be a chance create some wonderful Christmas presents and decorations, from Festive Willow Weaving (November 30) to Porcelain Candle Holders for Christmas (November 9) and Christmas Wreaths with Kendal's Green House Floristry (December 10).

For full details, see www.breweryarts.co.uk