This two-day workshop will focus on simple line drawings of plants inspired by the work of Ellsworth Kelly and Ruth Asawa, as well as other artists. You will begin with single plants and then develop more complex compositions using ink washes and layering with collage. Projects will also include creating fantastical plants from black and white collage elements and a white pen. This workshop is suitable for people with no drawing experience as well as artists who would like to simplify their focus on plants drawing. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 23 & MAY 24, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This two-day workshop will take you through the journey of making a painting from start to finish. You will begin by making compositional sketches from a photograph of your choice. From the sketches you will make small painted studies and develop a colour scheme. Then you will move on to building up a painting by exploring translucent applications of paint, glazing techniques, and developing layers of underpainting. This step-by-step process will give you confidence in your painting ability and give you an idea of how to start a painting and bring it to a developed finish. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG 15 & AUG 16, 10AM - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This course will explore abstract painting through the lens of landscape. We will experiment with ways of creating the illusion of visual depth, simplifying forms into basic abstract shapes, and isolating your visual priorities. You will also discover various experimental approaches such as sanding, scraping, translucent applications, and thick impasto to create a range of dynamic surfaces. Starting from simple exercises you will learn to see and translate the shapes and forms in nature into a fresh and exciting composition for your painting. Acrylic paint will be used for this course due to its versatility and fast-drying capabilities. Some painting experience is recommended. THURSDAYS, MAY 21 - JUN 25, 6PM - 9PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This workshop will cover traditional and contemporary Chinese brush painting techniques including how to properly load water, ink, and colour onto the brush, and how to create a range of different brushstrokes. You will learn about the composition and aesthetic principles of Chinese painting. In addition, you will discover ways to create experimental textures using non- traditional methods on rice paper. The first part of the workshop will focus on flower painting; for the second part, you will be guided through traditional and contemporary approaches to landscape painting. The workshop will include demonstrations, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and plenty of guided one-on-one instruction. Some painting experience is helpful but not required. Relax, let your brush flow with ink and colour on rice paper, and discover your own personal style. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included in tuition fee. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG 08 & AUG 09, 10AM - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This hands-on studio course focuses on recognizing and responding to persistent themes and images in your work and the processes required to bring them to life. Using imagination, memories, experiences, and ideas, students will work in the place between direct observation and intuition. With various drawing subjects presented in class, students are guided through exercises that include a range of techniques and methods for developing visual ideas and building strong compositions. This course is a great introduction to the expansive subject matter that can provide inspiration for drawing. Some drawing experience recommended. WEDNESDAYS, JUL 08 - AUG 12, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This workshop uses the pastel flower drawings of Odilon Redon as a source of inspiration. You will learn to make dream-like, ethereal flowers that merge into a coloured background. The focus is on using pastel techniques to draw flowers and to connect these flowers to a dynamic and interesting surrounding area. The emphasis will be learning to see shapes and colour as well as positive and negative space. Participants will enjoy learning some art history and applying these ideas to their work. The projects will include both representational and abstract approaches. You will be working from real flowers, artists reproductions, and collage compositions. The beauty and excitement of soft pastels is their immediacy of use and the purity of the colours as they are almost pure pigment. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 18 & JULY 19, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

The world of plants and animals provides endless subject matter for creative inspiration. It is especially important in these stressful times to notice the beauty of the natural world. In this course, you will explore various drawing techniques and materials to depict animals and plants. You will learn about contour lines, various shading techniques, basic colour theory, and how to combine materials. Subjects will be drawn from photographs and from life. Each project will be contextualized through examples of work by historical and contemporary artists. Suitable for all levels. WEDNESDAYS, JUL 08 - AUG 12, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) ONLINE

This workshop focuses on a Japanese design concept known as "notan." Notan is the Japanese word for the interaction between dark and light (positive and negative or object and ground). In composition, notan recognizes the separate but equally important identity of a shape and its background. A good notan design is therefore the key to a strong painting; without it, shape, line, and colour fail to reach their full impact. This workshop will begin with focus on black and white design and then move onto colour shapes inspired by the brilliant compositions of Henri Matisse. Participants will discover how these powerful design principles exist in painting and learn how notan can become an integral part of planning and developing a work of art. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 27 & JUNE 28, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Good design is a crucial factor in making a successful painting. A strong composition includes interesting colour placement, dynamic use of negative space, and strong contrast. Through a series of small-scale collage exercises you will learn how to work with colour and shape to create dynamic and exciting relationships in your paintings. You will learn the secrets to make eye-catching paintings in this workshop. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 30 & MAY 31, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

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

This workshop will focus on interpreting historical and contemporary approaches to botanical drawing. Subject matter will include historical illustrations as well as a selection of native plants of the Southern Vancouver Island region provided by the instructor. Projects cover a range of drawing techniques and materials such as pencils, pen, paint, and pastels on paper. Experimentation with mixed-media and collage will also be covered. You will discover the excitement of re-invention by making drawings from drawings. This workshop will encourage you to re-invent the age-old genre of drawing plants using a personal and expressive approach. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG 01 & AUG 02, 1:30 - 4:30PM(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