Who this workshop is for
Beginning market participants who want to understand what candlestick shapes mean before relying on them in their own chart study. You might be researching shares for a stocks and shares ISA, following an index for personal interest, or preparing for more advanced technical analysis study elsewhere. No prior pattern knowledge is required.
What you will be able to do afterwards
By the end of the second evening, participants typically can:
- Identify hammer, hanging man, doji, marubozu, and spinning top formations on an unfamiliar chart
- Recognise bullish and bearish engulfing, harami, and piercing line / dark cloud cover pairs
- Describe why the preceding trend and nearby support or resistance matter as much as the candle shape
- Mark up a printed A3 chart with consistent colour coding for bodies, wicks, and gaps
Session structure
Evening one — Single candles and context (2.5 hours)
We start with printed charts before any screen work. You will mark open, high, low, and close on historical examples, then learn how body size and wick length communicate buyer and seller pressure. The second half introduces single-candle reversal shapes and the habit of checking trend direction before naming a pattern.
Evening two — Two-candle patterns and practice (2.5 hours)
Building on evening one, we cover engulfing and harami families, then work through a set of mixed charts where you label patterns independently before group review. The session closes with guidance on keeping a pattern journal and recommended next steps if you wish to continue studying.
What is included
- Two in-person sessions at our Slimbridge classroom (online attendance available on request)
- Printed A3 chart pack and take-home pattern reference booklet
- Tea, coffee, and biscuits during the break
- Follow-up email within 48 hours summarising patterns covered and suggested practice charts
What is not included
- Trading account setup or broker recommendations
- Volume analysis, indicator configuration, or automated signal tools
- Personalised investment advice or predictions about specific securities
- Certificate or accredited qualification — this is practical skills training, not a formal exam course
Your instructor
Sessions are led by James Ellison, who has taught chart reading workshops in Gloucestershire since 2019. James previously worked as a financial educator for a regional building society training branch staff on basic chart interpretation for client conversations — not as a regulated investment adviser.
Practical details
Arrive ten minutes early on evening one to collect your materials. Bring reading glasses if needed and a notebook. A laptop is optional on evening two; we provide charts on paper regardless. Parking is available on Uxbridge Road adjacent to the classroom.