As lovely things to do go, what could be better when it’s cold and damp outside than a whole day of art with the kids? No rules, an unlimited supply of materials, more than enough ideas to keep you going, a wonderfully warm and enthusiastic artist to offer guidance and encouragement, and best of all, someone else doing the clearing up. Well, this is what you get when you attend one of artist Samantha Barnes’ fantastic family art days.

Samantha’s workshops and classes are held at various village halls and venues across North Hampshire. There is no regular schedule of events, but I was lucky enough to spot a poster for one of her family art days that was to take place during October half term, in a beautiful barn north of Andover. It was just £12.00 for the family and we did cutting and sticking, made model animals out of newspaper, sketched tractors, made jewellery – it was wonderful.

We paid to have the very reasonable and delicious lunch provided by the barn owners – burgers and beans to fuel the creative process, followed by lashings of cake – and I had to drag the children away at the end of it, loaded up with various oeuvres and with all thoughts of the gloomy weather successfully banished.

As well as family days, Samantha runs drawing and painting sessions for adults which I can’t wait to attend. If anyone can help you get over the fact that you were ‘rubbish at art’ at school then it’s Samantha.

Image courtesy of Samantha Barnes