SCS Heritage Skills Academy
The Art Within Conservation & Sustainability
Heritage Skills Group Course
In-Depth, Group Heritage Conservation Course Exploring - Vapour Permeability, Sustainability & The Application of Historic Decorative Faux Finishes
Saturday 31st July 2027
£245
Location:
Heritage & Rural Skills Centre, Coleshill, Swindon
All abilities welcome
OVERVIEW
Course Itinerary & Timetable
Course Title: The Art Within Conservation & Sustainability: Vapor Permeability, Sustainability & Historic Decorative Finishes
Level: All Inclusive/Open to all
Location: National Trust Heritage & Rural Skills Centre, Coleshill (Swindon)
Morning Session: Theory, Breathability & Historical Context
● 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Welcome & Safety Briefing
o Registration and tea/coffee.
o Health & Safety briefing: safe handling of dry earth pigments, lime products, and natural solvents.
o Overview of the day’s learning objectives and learning outcomes.
● 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Lecture & Presentation: "Why the SD Value Matters in Conservation"
o Understanding Permeability: What is the Equivalent Air Layer Thickness (𝑆𝑑 value), and why does moisture vapor movement matter in historic structures?
o The History of UK Decorative Finishes: Evolution of traditional decorative effects on interior and exterior lime plasters and renders.
o The Chemistry of Breathability: The damaging impact of modern film-forming plastic/acrylic paints versus traditional vapor-permeable systems.
o Low-Plastic Solutions: Formulating and applying low-plastic glazes and protective finishing coats.
o Colouring the Past: Working with raw natural earth pigments versus modern universal stainers—achieving colour stability, UV resistance, and historic authenticity.
● 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Master Demonstration: Base Paints, Colour & Glaze Mixing
o Preparing the Substrate: Demonstrating vapor-permeable base coats over historic substrates.
o Colour Theory & Mixing: Practical demonstration on accurately measuring and mixing dry earth pigments and universal stainers into breathable bases.
o Glaze Formulation: How to mix low-plastic, breathable glazes for decorative work; e.g. marbling, wood graining, stencilling and colourwash.
o Creating Texture & Depth: Master tutor demonstration on applying decorative paint effects to elevate a surface beyond a standard plain finish.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break
(Networking with fellow trade professionals and tutors)
Afternoon Session: Practical Workshop & Professional Application
● 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Hands-On Practical Workshop
o Mixing Your Palette: Students mix their own breathable paints and custom colours using earth pigments and stainers.
o Glaze Preparation: Formulating your own decorative glaze medium under tutor direction.
o Executing the Effects: Hands-on application of traditional decorative paint techniques on prepared test panels to build your physical portfolio.
o One-to-One Guidance: Tutor intervention on tool control, brush technique, and controlling 𝑆𝑑 value layers during application.
● 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM | Review, SPAB Alignment, Q&A & Evaluation
o Group Panel Review: Analysis and feedback on student work created during the afternoon session.
o Conservation Context: Discussion on integrating these ancient techniques into modern conservation work within the SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) philosophy and repair framework.
o Sourcing & Specification: Guide to sourcing authentic specialist tools, raw pigments, stainers, paints and breathable glazes.
o Q&A time & evaluation feedback Handouts: Open question and answer session, distribution of course evaluation forms.
● 4:30 PM | Course Finish
The workshop will start at 10.00 am and we aim to finish around 4.30 pm. All students are asked to bring an apron or wear suitable clothing.
There is a minimum of 4 students to allow the workshop to run, and a maximum of 12
There will be plenty of time throughout the day to ask Simon questions and advice on anything to do with conservation painting, decorating and design projects.
Workshops are run by Simon Nobs, Director of Snobs Interiors Ltd., with over 35 years experience working as a paint effects artist, specialist interior decorator and designer. The workshop will start with a quick overview and a brief history of the paint effect over tea and coffee.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Practice boards will be available for you to practice on.
You will also be provided with brushes, tools and equipment and all the paints and finishes you might need throughout the day, along with full instruction on their correct use and maintenance.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. Unfortunately we will not be able to cater for any special dietary requirements or allergies, so you are asked to please bring a packed lunch.