This course is inspired by all the misconceptions about abstract painting, such as that “it is easy to do” and “it is too hard to understand.” The first part of this hands-on painting course will follow the trajectory of abstract painting from its early beginnings in the late 19th century to the end of the 20th century. The second part of the course (offered in Winter) will concentrate on contemporary artists who use abstraction as the main component of their painting. Each week students will learn about several artists, and then develop their own painting based on one of the artists shown. Course will include weekly critiques, slide presentations on the history of abstraction as well as hands-on exercises to be done in class. You will learn that abstraction is much more complex and interesting than you ever could imagine. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, SEP 20- DEC 13, 2PM - 5PM ONLINE

This workshop focuses on the beautiful birds and animals that live on Vancouver Island. You will work from a range of photographic references to capture four local creatures, including the noble bald eagle and the busy marmot. Nature sketch artist, Val Lawton, will guide you through the sketching process, starting with the subject’s basic shapes, identifying the creature’s form, and then moving on to rendering the appearance of furry, feathery, or scaly textures. The workshop will begin with using a range of graphite pencils and then move on to colourful pencil crayons. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This hands-on online drawing course explores the evolution of drawing from the Renaissance to the contemporary era, covering both historical and contemporary practices. Through a series of image presentations, the instructor will highlight major points in drawing history and present related projects. Students will work with a range of drawing materials and a variety of subjects that cover both representation and abstraction. The course concludes with a final project where students create drawings based on a selected historical period or style, integrating learned techniques and fostering personal expression. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, SEP 19 - DEC 12, 10AM - 1PM ONLINE

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. We're 20 years old! With over 5900 students and 135 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. Anniversary Highlights Discover upcoming 20th celebration events & key achievements over the 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 All Services Painting Drawing Photography Mixed Media Art Fundamentals Art History, Theory Fall Workshops Painting with Gouache: Plants and Flower Learn the basics of gouache paint in this botanical-focused course. Started Sep 17 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Painting Today I Let the work and approaches of contemporary painters inspire the subje... Started Sep 17 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE The Painter's Process Learn some helpful tools on how to get started and work through ideas ... Started Sep 18 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Painting: Introduction I The basic tools necessary for painting in acrylic or oil are covered. ... Started Sep 19 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Painting: The Lure of the Local Subject matter for painting can be found right outside your front door... Started Sep 19 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Painting: Understanding Abstraction I Learn how abstract painting is more exciting than you ever imagined. Started Sep 20 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Contemporary Drawing Take your drawing to the next level where ideas are more important tha... Started Sep 17 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing a Series Take your drawing to the next level by learning how to develop a serie... Ended 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE How to Draw A great course to take if you’ve always wanted to draw but didn’t know... Ended 275 Canadian dollars $275 VIEW COURSE Drawing: Beyond Realism Make realistic drawings that go beyond looking “just like a photo”. Ended 575 Canadian dollars $575 VIEW COURSE Drawing People This course will erase any intimidation you have about drawing people.... Started Sep 18 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing: Thematic Approaches Work with different materials while investigating new themes each week... Started Sep 18 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing: History and Practice Learn how studying drawings from art history and current artists can i... Started Sep 19 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing for the Absolute Beginner Everyone can draw. This step-by-step course will prove this to you. Started Sep 19 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing: Introduction I Learn to draw through seeing and trying a range of drawing materials. Started Sep 20 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Making a Great Photograph Learn the essentials of what makes one photograph stand out from anoth... Ended 575 Canadian dollars $575 VIEW COURSE Knitting & Felting: Time and Place Use the craft processes of knitting and felting to address contemporar... Started Sep 19 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Understanding Colour I Learn how to make deliberate colour choices and bring your work to a n... Started Sep 20 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Art History: The Human Form Discover the ways artists have represented the human form over the sev... Started Sep 17 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Contemporary Art I Discover the meaning behind works of art you see in galleries and muse... Started Sep 18 575 Canadian dollars $575 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Tonal Values for Painters Make your paintings more exciting by learning how to use values to cre... Starts Oct 19 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Watercolour Skies Learn to make watercolour skies with loose expressive techniques. Starts Oct 19 95 Canadian dollars $95 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing: Abstract Architecture Use lines, shapes, value and patterns to make abstract architectural d... Starts Oct 26 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Watercolour: Fall Leaves Discover the pleasures of making small watercolours of autumn leaves. Starts Oct 26 95 Canadian dollars $95 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Collage: Abstract Design Work with a range of found papers to discover the basic elements of wh... Starts Nov 2 185 Canadian dollars $185 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing Rocks and Cliffs Discover basic approaches to using graphite pencils to draw rocks and ... Starts Nov 2 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Collage as Landscape Learn to create a fantastical landscape with coloured and patterned co... Starts Nov 16 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Pen, Ink and Watercolour Have fun learning how to integrate pen, ink and wateroclour into your ... Starts Nov 16 95 Canadian dollars $95 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Art and Design with Pattern Learn how to create a range of patterns to add visual excitement to yo... Starts Nov 23 185 Canadian dollars $185 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Pastel Trees Show your love of trees by drawing them using the rich tones of soft p... Starts Nov 23 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Landscape Drawing with Charcoal Learn to make beautiful and sensitive landscape drawings with charcoal... Starts Nov 30 185 Canadian dollars $185 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Linocut on Fabric Transform an ordinary t-shirt into a conversation starter by learning ... Starts Nov 30 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Collage Inspired Watercolour Landscapes Make collage studies as inspiration for expressive watercolour landsca... Starts Dec 7 75 Canadian dollars $75 Loading availability... VIEW COURSE Drawing Birds and Mammals Learn how to draw some of the birds and mammals of Vancouver Island us... Starts Dec 7 185 Canadian dollars $185 Loading availability... 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 FALL 2024 IN-PERSON COURSES Fall 2024 ONLINE COURSES FALL 2024 WORKSHOPS See what we are up to.

COURSES Pastel Trees Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS

Upcoming Events Luna Lectures - 100 Years of Surrealist Women ​ Luna Lectures - 100 Years of Abstraction and Women ​ Upcoming Events Luna Lectures - 100 Years of Surrealist Women Sat, Nov 16 Victoria Nov 16, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Victoria, Johnson St, Victoria, BC, Canada Nov 16, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Victoria, Johnson St, Victoria, BC, Canada Discover a fascinating hundred-year period of fearless questioning, experiment, and exploration. Buy Tickets Luna Lectures - 100 Years of Abstraction and Women Sat, Dec 07 Victoria Dec 07, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Victoria, 733 Johnson St #302, Victoria, BC V8W 1M8, Canada Dec 07, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Victoria, 733 Johnson St #302, Victoria, BC V8W 1M8, Canada Buy Tickets Cocktails By The Sea Wed, Sep 13 Victoria Sep 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PDT Victoria, 3475 Ripon Rd, Victoria, BC V8R 6H1, Canada Sep 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PDT Victoria, 3475 Ripon Rd, Victoria, BC V8R 6H1, Canada Join our next fundraiser and enjoy cocktails by the sea at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Featuring silent auction items, mystery envelopes and a spectacular door prize. Every ticket includes delicious appetizers, drinks, and a $50 tax deductible receipt. +51 more Details Create your future COURSES & WORKSHOPS