This course uses the complexity of the natural world and the theme of landscape as a compelling source of inspiration for painting. Students will develop skills and an excitement for painting through their connection to nature. The course will cover ways to select and simplify subject matter, as well as how to create a strong sense of colour, light and atmosphere in paintings. Class presentations focus on examples of historical and contemporary artists who use the genre of landscape as a way of exploring a personal vision in paint. Group critiques and one-on-one feedback and guidance will be provided for all painting styles. Students are welcome to use oil or acrylic paint. Previous painting experience recommended. TUESDAYS, JAN 6 - MAR 31, 10AM - 1PM ONLINE

This hands-on painting course uses examples from art history to focus on how artists use colour. Students will make studies from reference paintings and then allow the artists’ approaches to colour to inform their own work. The course begins with the use of colour in the early Renaissance, and then moves through work by artists in the Baroque and Rococo eras, Impressionism, early Modernism, and Pop Art, concluding with exploring the diverse approaches to colour in Contemporary Art. This course will provide a great way to discover how art from the past can inform paintings that are being made today. Students can work in acrylic or oil. Some painting experience recommended. WEDNESDAYS, JAN 7 - APR 1, 10AM - 1PM IN-PERSON

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the ideas and approaches that define contemporary drawing practices. Moving beyond traditional representation, students will focus on drawing as a means of personal expression and communication. Techniques such as ink drawing, collage, and photo-transfer will be introduced, encouraging exploration of diverse materials and surfaces. The work of contemporary artists will inspire a range of projects exploring themes such as nature, the body, memory, architecture, and narrative. This course provides an ideal entry point for students who want to go beyond ‘creating a likeness’ in drawing and offers the perfect opportunity to develop an innovative, idea-driven approach to drawing. Some drawing experience recommended. TUESDAYS, JAN 6 - MAR 31, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON (No class on January 13)

Building on a basic knowledge of paint handling and colour, this course presents students with a range of projects that explore possible approaches to painting in terms of subject matter, style and technique. Students work from a range of historical models, including representation and abstraction to gain a better sense of the ideas, methods, and formal issues that can support their own vision. Course will include painting from a model as well as a range of other choices for subject matter. Class projects are accompanied by slide presentations. Prerequisite: Painting: Introduction I or some painting experience. WEDNESDAYS, JAN 7 - APR 1, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON

Gouache is an opaque water-based paint that is easy-to-use and a great medium for beginners. Students will discover the excitement of working with gouache through a range of weekly projects. This course is inspired by the artist, illustrator, and writer Maira Kalman. The focus is on using objects and experiences that are part of your everyday life, as well as using popular culture and current events as subject matter. Composition, working with text, and ideas surrounding meaning and content will be addressed with each project. Course will include presentations of other artists working with ‘the everyday’ as a source as well as examples of artists who work with gouache. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, JAN 6 - MAR 31, 2PM - 5PM ONLINE

In this workshop you will explore the favourite colour of most people in the world -blue while learning to paint flowers. The workshop will give you the opportunity to learn how to paint a range of blue and violet flowers including the Cornflower and the Himalayan Blue Poppy. You will learn to mix an array of different blues while painting these beautiful blue flowers. Workshop will culminate in painting a fantastical monochromatic bouquet that includes blue flowers and some greenery. This is a great workshop to learn about colour mixing and flower painting. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1:30 - 4:30PM ONLINE

This workshop will focus on simplifying landscape images by breaking them down into simple shapes. You will discover what makes for a good landscape reference image and learn ways of using colour theory to play with the illusion of space in painting. This workshop will help you find ways of adding depth and visual drama to your landscape paintings and drawings. The demos will be conducted with acrylic paint, but you can work in any colour medium such as watercolour, gouache, pastels or coloured pencils. (Oil paint is not recommended due to the slow drying time). Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This is a great course for students wanting to learn about, and experiment with a variety of drawing mediums. Using materials such as graphite, charcoal, ink and pastels, students will explore the capabilities of both traditional and unconventional drawing materials. Each class will focus on a different drawing medium and the methods of using that material. In-class projects will include still-life, the figure, nature, working from photographs as well as abstraction. The work of contemporary artists who use drawing in their practice will be introduced and analyzed throughout the course. Students will be encouraged to reconsider the possibilities of what drawing is, while developing a personal sensibility of how to use drawing in their art practice. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, JAN 6 - MAR 31, 6PM - 9PM IN-PERSON

In this course students will explore a range of themes inspired by art history and trends in contemporary art. These themes will include genres such as landscape, portraiture, still life, and various approaches to abstraction, as well as broader themes such as formalism and conceptualism. These themes will give students an opportunity to practice painterly techniques such as colour mixing, glazing, underpainting, and various approaches to mark-making. Experimenting with a range of themes is an excellent way for students to discover their own direction and personal interests as they develop a painting practice. Students can use acrylic or oil. Some painting experience recommended. WEDNESDAYS, JAN 7 - APR 1, 6PM - 9PM IN-PERSON

Artists have been intrigued by skies and clouds for centuries and in this workshop, we will carry on the tradition of using the sky as a subject for painting. The work of several artists including J.M.W. Turner and John Constable will be examined as a source of inspiration. You will learn to create the appearance of various cloud types -cumulus, cirrus, and stratus using wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolour techniques. You will create a series of watercolours that focus on creating moody skyscapes. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This course introduces students to the elements of design (line, value, shape/volume, texture, space and motion), and the principles of design (process, unity, emphasis and focal point, scale and proportion, and balance and rhythm. Weekly assignments are given in conjunction with a visual presentation of the subject matter discussed. Students assemble a reference book with emphasis on small-scale collage exercises to develop an understanding of how design can be applied across mediums such as drawing, painting, textiles, photography or graphic design. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, JAN 9 - APR 3, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON

Cezanne is a 19th century artist known mostly for his still life and landscapes painted in oil. However, his preferred medium was watercolours which he used for preliminary studies for paintings, as well as finished works onto themselves. His delicately rendered watercolours made ample use of the paper as part of the compositions. In this workshop you will learn to approach watercolour landscapes in the manner of Cezanne, where the focus is on breaking the landscape into a series of unique shapes and letting the space of the paper be an important component of the composition. This workshop will provide a great way to learn some art history while discovering new approaches to landscape painting. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1:30 - 4:30PM ONLINE