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

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

This course explores different approaches to painting the human figure. We'll begin with a foundation in simplified anatomical structure, building a painting up from the inside - from the skeleton, through the muscles, to the skin and clothing. Each session will explore different painterly approaches through examples from art history. These approaches include a focus on line, simple shapes, the illusion of form, ways of using colour, and the relationship between figure and ground. We will cover various ways of handling paint including wet-on-wet, dry brush, blending techniques, layering, and glazing. The course will combine the direct observation of figure models with working from photographic and art historical sources. Demos will be conducted using acrylic paints, but you are welcome to work in other painting mediums. Suitable for all levels. WEDNESDAYS, JUL 08 - AUG 12, 6PM - 9PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This workshop will provide hands-on examples on how to use geometric abstraction to create exciting designs and compositions. You will be led through a series of cut paper and watercolour painting exercises to discover the possibilities of this dynamic approach to design. The workshop will include a short presentation on 20th century and contemporary artists working within the realm of geometric abstraction. Shape, colour, and composition will be the focus throughout the workshop, and you will be encouraged to work at your own pace. The first day will focus on generating compositional studies and material exploration, while the second day will be spent working on two small pieces that relate to each other, based on the work created on day one. You will leave the workshop with two completed works on paper, and a series of sketches or small compositions to fuel future work. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 11 & JULY 12, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This workshop is for people with some experience using colour but would like to bring their knowledge to a deeper level. You will learn to use colour with more intention and control by understanding its underlying principles more fully. We will explore the inter-relationship of value, hue, and chroma and examine how our perception of colour is affected by surrounding colours. Exercises include translucent and opaque applications, glazing, colour palette-creation, and different kinds of colour contrasts. While both oil and acrylic painters are encouraged to participate, demos will be given using acrylic paint. Some experience with painting and colour is recommended. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 25 & JULY 26, 10AM - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Gouache is an opaque water-based medium that dries with a velvety finish. This course will use historical and contemporary examples of flower and plant paintings to inspire exciting approaches to the endless potential of botanical subject matter. Work will be done both on white and black watercolour paper. Emphasis will be on technique and developing a creative composition using gouache paint. Suitable for all levels. WEDNESDAYS, MAY 20 - JUN 24, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Learn to discover the beauty and mystery of the natural world in local urban parks around the city. You will learn basic drawing and painting techniques using watercolour pencils and/or watercolour travel sets, which are easy to use and practical to transport. The course will take place in a different location each week such as Beacon Hill and Songhees Park. This course is great for those wanting to develop a sketching practice as well as for people who just want to spend time observing nature. Both acrylic and oil painting plein air set-ups are welcome, but please be prepared to transport your work to and from the location. No class on July 17, last class on August 21. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, JUL 10 - AUG 21, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This six-week course focuses on the concept of slow photography, encouraging patience, careful observation, and a deeper connection to both natural and urban environments. It is a mindful, hands-on course blending historical and experimental techniques with tactile and mixed-media approaches. Techniques explored include cyanotypes, pinhole photography, hand-tinting, and mixed-media storytelling, allowing participants to create unique, expressive works. Whether returning to photography after a break or looking to expand your practice, this course provides space to slow down, observe thoughtfully, and create with intention. Cyanotype paper and Polaroid film are included in the tuition. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, MAY 19 - JUN 23, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) IN-PERSON