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

Collage is both an art technique and a resulting work of art. It can also be a catalyst for further experiments in drawing or painting. Working with simple everyday tools such as scissors, glue and found materials often yields surprising and satisfying results. A brief slide presentation covers the history of collage as well as the work of many contemporary collage artists. The essential principles and elements of colour and composition form the basis of class projects. This workshop will allow you to discover how a sense of play and experimentation can lead to exciting works of art. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

In this day-long workshop you will learn about important women botanical illustrators. Focusing on Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), who was one of the first to include the life cycles of plants and insects in their scientific renditions, these illustrations offered important insights into the natural world. This workshop will be an opportunity to engage with some of these historical botanical drawings and transform them into abstract imagery. You will discover the exciting process of abstraction by analyzing plant details through pencil drawings and then learn how to use these studies for the basis of an abstract composition for a painting. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

In this introductory painting class, students will explore a wide range of painting styles and techniques. This course will focus on methods of paint application, colour theory, composition, and the material qualities of paint. While practicing foundational skills, students will develop an understanding of the painting process, learning how to start and develop a strong work of art. Both representational and abstract methods of painting will be explored through term assignments and in-class exercises/demonstrations. Projects will include painting from still-life arrangements, photography, self-portraiture, and a live model. Students can work in acrylic and/or oil paints in this course. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, SEP 18 - DEC 11, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON

This course guides students through the complexities of colour theory with weekly exercises that focus on making colour swatches. The systematic assignments explore the full range of colour mixing and a multitude of colour combinations. Topics covered include value, complements, temperature, and how colours change depending on context. By the end of the 12-week course, students will gain a thorough understanding of the colour wheel and how colour theory can be put to immediate use in their paintings. The colour assignments culminate in a completed personal workbook that becomes a long-term source book. Students can work in acrylic, watercolour or gouache. Oil paint is possible but challenging due to the slow drying time. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, SEP 19 - DEC 12, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON

Are you curious about how to use acrylic paints? Throughout this course you will learn the foundational processes of working with acrylic paint, such as how to mix paint, capturing light/shadow and texture, colour theory, working with medium and the application of paint to a surface. You will develop your artistic skills through various assignments and in-class exercises that include painting still life arrangements, landscapes, architecture and photographs. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, SEP 9 - DEC 9, 6PM - 9PM ONLINE (Tuesday courses start one week before other courses due to two stat holidays)

Do you see people sitting on a park bench or in a café sketching and wish you could do that too? Would you like to draw what you see around you while wandering through a city? Students will learn the basic techniques necessary to draw architecture, interiors of buildings, people, gardens and parks, and be introduced to the best materials to carry for sketching on-site, as well as how to use photography to document ideas for at-home drawing. The course will include walking around downtown as well as going to local parks and public spaces. During inclement weather, class outings will include going inside buildings such as the Atrium, the Empress Hotel and the Royal British Columbia Museum. This is a great course to take for those who will be travelling to an urban location and would like to do some drawing while there. (There will be an additional fee for museum entrance). Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, JAN 6 - MAR 31, 10AM - 1PM IN-PERSON

This workshop introduces you to painting birds using a combination of ink and watercolour, a favourite of illustrators, journallers and plein air sketchers. These two wet mediums complement one another, resulting in a beautiful, loose, layered and whimsical results. You will practice a variety of techniques with reference materials for three very different Canadian birds: the Saw Whet Owl, the Red-headed Finch and the iconic Common Loon. Nature sketch artist Val Lawton will guide you throughout the sketching process, starting with subject’s basic shapes, identifying the creature’s form, then moving on to rendering the birds’ fluffy, feathery or sleek textures. Suitable for all levels. All supplies included SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1:30 - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

This workshop will focus on different ways of drawing natural subjects including plants, animals, and landscape forms such as water, rocks, grasses, and foliage. You will learn use a variety of drawing materials including graphite pencils, water-soluble graphite, conte crayons, and willow charcoal. Exercises will include ways to increase the illusion of visual depth in drawing and how to create visual drama through light and shadow. This work will make you discover how drawing is an exciting way to connect with the natural world. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 10AM - 4:30PM IN-PERSON

Join Thomas Guerrero for this Saturday afternoon photo walk. Thomas is the writer of Sidewalking Victoria, an informative photography blog written from a pedestrian's perspective. In this afternoon workshop, Thomas will highlight specific areas of the downtown area and focus on specific photographic themes at each stop. Examples are photographing the intersection of lines, both real and shadows, at the foot of the Johnson St Bridge; taking advantage of taking photos at different levels in Bastion Square, and capturing the reflections in windows along Fisgard St in Chinatown. You will learn ways to create a thematic approach to photography as well as discover some fascinating locations in the downtown area. Meet at the school. Suitable for all levels. See supply list SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1:30 - 4:30PM 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

Using the overarching theme of flora and fauna, this course provides a “sampler” of art materials and processes of art-making. Each class we will start by drawing a native plant or animal together that lives and grows on Lekwungen Territory. The following approaches and media will be covered over the 12-week period: drawing with pencil, pencil crayon, chalk pastels, ink, oil pastel, mixed media (combining all of these together), collage, as well as making a zine. Course includes drawing from your imagination using pastel and mixed media; layering pencil crayon to create detailed drawings of plants and animals; and using nature walks as inspiration to create a narrative in a book format. We will be looking at Kinngait artist Shuvinai Ashoona’s drawings, the exhibition Forestrial Brain by Jim Holyoak and Matt Shane, and collage artist Mary Delany, as well as other contemporary artists for inspiration. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, SEP 18 - DEC 11, 6PM - 9PM IN-PERSON