This six-week course will explore experimental approaches to illustrative mark-making through creative work with gesture, alternative tools, and diverse drawing materials. Each week the instructor will expand on the range of marks made through exercises and assignments that focus on line, value, texture, pattern, and composition variance. Using a variety of drawing materials such as graphite, charcoal, pastels, and ink, you will develop a large repertoire of personal marks that can be used in many types of drawings. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, JUL 09 - AUG 13, 6PM - 9PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This course will use the medium of watercolour to explore the different ways artists in the 20th and 21st centuries approach contemporary landscape painting. A wide range of artists will be studied, and their techniques will be discussed and explored. Many ways to use watercolour will be reviewed to encourage a free and more experimental approach to painting. Paintings made in the course can also be used as studies for larger scale acrylic or oil paintings. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, JUL 07 - AUG 11, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Art and science have co-existed throughout history as demonstrated through botanical drawings, diagrams of the earth’s structure, solar systems, and maps. This course uses several branches of science including microbiology, botany, geology, astronomy, and cartography as a point of departure for subject matter. Basic watercolour techniques will be covered, but the focus of the course is on responding to a scientific subject in an expressive and imaginative way. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, MAY 19 - JUN 23, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Pastel Flowers Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses Pastel Flowers Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

The Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in downtown Victoria that offers in-person and online courses and workshops for adults of all ages. Let’s create together. Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in Downtown Victoria. Open to adults of all ages. VISA is a Non-Profit Registered Charity. 20 years and counting! With more than 6000 students and 140 instructors since September 2004, we've provided a welcoming place for people of all ages to learn about contemporary art, as well as a venue for MFA graduates to get training as instructors. 2025-2026 Highlights Discover some exciting upcoming events—and key achievements over the last 20+ years Learn. Create. Play. Whether you want to take only one art course or complete a full-time program, there is a place for you at our school. The Vancouver Island School of Art offers two modes of study: Certificate of Visual Arts One year full-time or a maximum of four years part-time Individual Courses and Workshops On-going, no application required ABOUT US WHAT'S NEW Discover our courses Thoughtfully designed in the focus areas of drawing, painting and art history. SCHEDULES Course & Workshop Schedules Subscribe to Newsletter COURSES BY CATEGORY Painting Drawing Mixed Media Art Fundamentals Spring Workshops Landscape as Abstraction Learn how to transform complex landscape scenes into basic abstract shapes. Started May 21 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Watercolour: Art and Science Come and see how science has inspired artists over the ages. Started May 19 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting with Gouache: Plants & Flowers Learn new ways to approach flowers and plants with gouache. Started May 20 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting: The Basics Want to learn how to paint? Start here. Started May 22 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting: Introduction to Colour Let mysteries of working with colour be revealed to you. Started May 21 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Paint Like an Artist I Online Let artists from art history inspire your art practice. Started May 22 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Nature in the City Spend time in a variety of parks and public spaces learning to draw and paint. Starts Jul 10 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Watercolour: Landscape as Experiment Let the exciting processes of watercolour help you make experimental landscapes. Starts Jul 7 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting the Figure Be intimidated no more! You too can learn to paint the figure. Starts Jul 8 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Load More WORKSHOP SCHEDULES Current Workshop Schedule Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS Vancouver Island School of Art is a contemporary art school located in Downtown Victoria open to adults of all ages. Your donation matters DONATE TODAY WI26 Student Work SP26 Courses SP26 Weekend Workshops See what we are up to.

Upcoming events at the Vancouver Island School of Art include exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses. Upcoming Events Art Book Sale Click here for more information! Saturday Night Art Lectures Click here to register! Upcoming Events Art Makes Life Better Fundraiser Tue, Jun 24 Victoria More info Details Luna Lectures - 100 Years of Abstraction and Women Sat, Dec 07 Victoria More info Details Luna Lectures - 100 Years of Surrealist Women Sat, Nov 16 Victoria More info Details Cocktails By The Sea Wed, Sep 13 Victoria More info Details Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS