Irrespective of their subject choice, the most important skill for any artist is observation.
It isn’t all about pure talent, great artists have been taught what to look for!
Beautiful artworks are made when accurate perception is combined with creative interpretation.
Through innovative and enjoyable exercises, study the traditional elements of line, form, colour, design and creative decision making in this intensive, rewarding course.

Painting 3-dimensional objects from direct observation gives us complete control over shape, colour, light and spacial relationships, providing an opportuity to observe what happens when we alter variables such as scale, colour harmony and light temperature. A static, stable subject serves as a conduit for skill building and working from direct observation (rather than from photographs) it also encourages a personal, expressive interpretation of the subject, allowing the artist to explore their own manner or ‘style’ of painting much more freely.

Deciding what to leave out is a huge part of the creative process!

Starting with line and shape we will refresh our drawing skills and explore methods for perceiving angles and shapes with greater accuracy.

Moving on to colour, we’ll figure out how to identify and match colours to capture the light and harmony in our subject, allowing for creative expression of the ‘feel’ of the subject.

Progressing forward we will dive into the realm of design and composition, learning to appreciate the abstract qualities in every subject and gaining insights into how to perceive and manipulate shapes and patterns to greater creative effect. Making educated decisions about what to include in our subjects allows us to design paintings that hold the interest of the viewer and express our creative intent.

Given the timing of this workshop, some participants might choose to select a variety of seasonal objects for their subject for a painting that could be reproduced as a greetings card in time for the festive season!