Painting

In this workshop students will make a large abstract comic strip as a unique piece of art, exploring different abstract painting techniques along the way. The words ‘abstract’ and ‘comic’ are not normally found together and this odd combination is just the ticket to get creative juices flowing. The possibilities of mark-making, drawing, painting, collage, colour as well as story telling, and ‘figure’ within abstraction are all worked through practical exercises resulting in a personal piece of abstract art as comic strip.

James Lawrence is a well known painter and tutor and one of New Zealand’s respected modernist artists. Students will have the opportunity to improve current painting skills or learn from scratch functional, original and resourceful acrylic techniques. The classes will cover design, colour and texture, utilising demonstrations and practical creative exercises. Students will be able to develop their own style with individual direction from James.

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Testimonials

Caroline Masters

This course introduces students to expressive acrylic painting with a focus on either landscape or cityscape. John Horner, will instruct students on the painting techniques for which he is well recognised - his “loose brushwork” style utilising under painting, scraping, textures and glazing. The course will include time in the studio and excursions to suitable locations close to Whitecliffe.

Suitable for beginners and advanced artists.

This course is offered to beginner or intermediate level students who would like to learn to paint representational landscapes in an impressionist style. Students are free to utilise and adapt this painting style for other preferred subject matter. Students will be taught the fundamental principles of paint application to achieve atmospheric perspective and dimension and will be shown how warm and cool colours are used by professional artists to create depth in a painting and also how to mix colour to change tonal values. Most importantly, Steve will show students the four key skills required for composing and creating a successful landscape painting. The preferred medium is oils but students may also use acrylics.

Please check your material list.

This course is aimed at students learning methods related to the Romantic landscape tradition of the 19th century. The course will help students translate the qualities of stillness, vast space, atmosphere and dramatic lighting which re some of the attributes of Romantic landscapes which students will be given practical guided lessons in to use and understand. Students are also encouraged through example and dialogue to the gather the resources of a landscape which can, through the most appropriate techniques and design elements, become a sublime landscape style of image. The emphasis of this course is for students to discover meaning and expressive form using the qualities of an art movement which has influenced a range of traditional and modern schools of art.

This painting class will introduce you to still life painting. We will be considering both historical/traditional models and more contemporary examples. The class will focus on developing your painting skills while encouraging you to develop your own personal style. We will be considering a variety of approaches to composition and the use of different media and techniques. As well as plenty of studio time devoted to painting there will be both formal and informal discussions and presentations to support your learning and to assist you in understanding how your work might be interpreted by a wider audience. During the course you will have full access to the library and its extensive range of art and design material to enhance and inform your studio activities.

Suitable for beginners or those with some experience