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 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 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

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

In this course you will be introduced to 20th century painters and their influences each week. We will review their specific approaches to subject matter as well as application of paint and process. Artwork shown will include representation and abstraction. There will be a weekly painting project based on this discussion. This is a great course for people who want to learn more about some major artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as those who want to push their painting practice in new directions. Participants can use oil, acrylic, or watercolour. Artists discussed in this course will vary from previous courses of the same title, so feel free to take it again to learn about more art. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, MAY 22 - JUN 26, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) ONLINE

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

Have you always wanted to learn to draw but were not sure where to start? This course will introduce you to foundational drawing techniques to develop your understanding of visual communication and help you discover your own artistic voice. Assignments and various in-class exercises will cover topics such as line, shading, perspective, composition, and how to work with a range of drawing materials. This is a great course for people completely new to drawing. Suitable for all levels. WEDNESDAYS, MAY 20 - JUN 24, 10AM - 1PM(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 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 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

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

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