This workshop will focus on expressive abstraction where you will use organic shapes and dynamic mark-making to build up a composition. You will experiment with abstracting images from photographs, as well from your own imagination and memory. Through a series of drawing and watercolour exercises you will explore line, colour, and mark making, while learning how to combine them in new ways to create strong compositions. Workshop will include a short presentation on 20th century and contemporary artists who use expressive abstraction as a way of picture-making. Day one will focus on experimentation and idea generation, while day two will focus on developing a realized piece. This workshop will provide a great way to develop ideas for future paintings. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 20 & JUNE 21, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

The design or composition of an artwork is the first thing that catches the viewer's attention. In this course, you will discover how to create dynamic abstract compositions using drawing, painting, and collage. The focus will be on small-scale exercises and experimentation. Basic design principles such as negative space, contrast, rhythm, and balance will structure the assignments. This course will improve your paintings whether you prefer to work representationally or abstractly. Your confidence will increase with design knowledge and your work will be more exciting by what you learn in this course. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, JUL 07 - AUG 11, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

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

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. Starts May 21 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Watercolour: Art and Science Come and see how science has inspired artists over the ages. Starts May 19 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting with Gouache: Plants & Flowers Learn new ways to approach flowers and plants with gouache. Starts May 20 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting: The Basics Want to learn how to paint? Start here. Starts May 22 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting: Introduction to Colour Let mysteries of working with colour be revealed to you. Starts May 21 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Paint Like an Artist I Online Let artists from art history inspire your art practice. Starts 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 Painting: Series Development Create a lively series of paintings based on where you live. Starts Jul 9 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting from Photography Learn the strategies to make interesting paintings from your photographs. Starts Jul 10 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Paint Like an Artist II Online Let more artists from art history inspire your art practice. Starts Jul 10 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Painting the Ocean Take your love of the ocean and let it inspire your paintings. Starts Jul 7 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE 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.

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

Photography: A Mixed Media Approach Events at the Vancouver Islands School Art including exhibition openings, artist talks and lectures, fundraisers and Open Houses Photography: A Mixed Media Approach Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS