Maria Josenhans . . . The power and passion of colour - limited palette atmospheric landscape

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop.

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Join Maria for a two day adventure in painting moody, atmospheric, limited palette landscapes in oil. Learn how to mix a variety of different greens, warm and cool greys. This is a workshop best suited to advanced beginner, intermediate and the more advanced painters. While this workshop will involve some plein air techniques, your weekend will be spent in the expansive new studio in North Vancouver and will be focused on creating mood and ambience in your landscapes.  Maria will introduce colour theory and mixing colours with a focus on greys and greens and will be demonstrating throughout the weekend.

“ ... pushing your studio practice to its highest level by infusing your paintings with a strong sense of atmosphere. Whether it is a storm-watching beach scene or a brilliant day in the mountains, conveying a sense of time and place makes for a strong visual statement. Through controlling the use of colour and implementing a compelling composition, Maria will work with each student to refine their visual story”

$280 for the two days. Supply list available upon registration.

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562, or use the contact feature on the main page to register for this workshop.

We honor the great 19th century French master Edgar Degas, who turned the art world on its head by defining beauty in the most expressive way through impressionistic depictions of classical dance at the Paris opera ballet.

Join Mark Anthony as he leads you into a live model study in poetic realism using dancers in traditional poses and positions. This relaxed workshop builds upon the principles underlying the great visual understanding of the classically trained Degas and his powerful way of expressing his love of the human form.

Each entrant will enjoy brief lectures on basic drawing, light, form, proportion, anatomy, drapery and composition.

Afterwards, each artist will work in the medium of their style and choice.

Saturday, December 4th and Sunday December 5th 10am until 4pm both days.

$240 . Please register for this workshop no later than November 30, 2021

Call Dene at (604)250-5562 to book and either send an e transfer to denecroft@gmail.com, drop by the studio with credit, cash or debit, or mail a cheque to the address below.

Dene Croft studios

118 Pemberton avenue

north Vancouver, BC

V7P2R5

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop.

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Saturday, July 29th and Sunday July 30th . . . 10am until 4pm - both days.

At least 3 years have passed since I have hosted one of these workshops and I have been told that it is about time I did another, so . . .  bring a photo of your favourite house, cottage, cityscape etc. and we'll spend the weekend exploring colour and composition and create something extraordinary from the everyday and ordinary; bending lines and distorting perspective to create a whimsical interpretation of your favourite urban scene. 

During this two day workshop we will also be covering a little art history (just the juicy stuff), basic principles of drawing and perspective, which products to use and which to leave on the shelf, tips and techniques used in building a professional quality painting  using traditional master techniques - how those techniques can be successfully employed by you to build your contemporary masterpiece! . . .lastly -  galleries and marketing and pricing your art (for those who are interested).

This workshop will be open to all levels however it is more suited to intermediate and advanced painters. If you consider yourself a beginner, you will do  fine but some painting experience is necessary. During the workshop I will be doing lots of demos and as always, there will be plenty of hand-holding should you need it . . .nobody gets left behind! Refreshments will be provided . . . just bring your paints (acrylic or oil), a canvas formatted to fit your subject ( no larger than 24 x 30 please) and a good quality subject photo (a few choices would be good), your lunch and an open mind.) 

The class will be limited to 10 participants, so if you would like to reserve a space please do so a.s.a.p as these workshops generally fill within a few days. Please call the studio or use the contact feature on the main page to register . . .(604) 250-5562 and send payment of $280 by the 15th November by e transfer to denecroft@gmail.com, or in person in the studio

Dene Croft studios and gallery

118 Pemberton avenue

North Vancouver, BC

V7P2R5

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

David Langevin . . . mountains waterfalls and reflections - landscape adventures in acrylic

November 6th and November 7th

Join acclaimed acrylic landscape painter David Langevin for a two day immersive experience in acrylic landscape painting with one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and talented artists.

$280 for the two days. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, or use the contact feature on the main page

Charlie Easton . . . The plein air method

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

The plein air method inside. Using photographs to make the best possible paintings in the studio. Charlie will show you what he looks for in a good photograph, how to plan for a painting in the studio, and how to bring a scene to life. Charlie will demo each day and then help you work at your own pace, with insightful tips that are relevant to your unique level and vision.

Saturday October 17th, and Sunday October 18th, 10am until 4pm both days

$280 inclusive. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book. A supply list will be provided upon registration

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

TWO DAY WORKSHOP – DENE CROFT STUDIOS
October 2nd AND October 3rdd 2019

 “impressionistic florals”

This two day workshop is designed for beginners and intermediate students -  all mediums welcome. Ann works in oils, but you are welcome to bring acrylics/watercolors, pastels, etc.

This workshop will focus on florals using impressionistic techniques

1.     Mixing your colors – how to create your own palette of selected colors

2.     Saturation of colors

3.     Values – one of the most important aspects of your painting

4.     Luscious greys – how to mix them and where to use them

5.     Cool and Warm Colors

Ann will be doing a demo each morning,  followed by one-on –one instruction for all participants as you work on your own paintings.

Please phone the studio to make a reservation - 604-250-5562, or use the contact feature on the main page.

Cost: $280 inclusive. Payments can be made in person, by mailing a cheque, or e-transfer to denecroft@gmail.com.

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Acrylic Painting Development Process with Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki . . . .cost $280 incl.taxes

 Learn how to quickly develop rich colour and surface in your acrylic landscape paintings using a variety of mark-making techniques. The students should have some experience with the acrylic medium.

Supply list:

 Several small and medium canvases or canvas boards (e.g. 11x14, 16x20, or similar)

 Acrylic artist's quality heavy-body paint: titanium white, cadmium yellow medium or light, ochre yellow, transparent red oxide, alizarin crimson or quinacridone red, cadmium red light, dioxazine purple, phthalo blue, phthalo green. Any other colors you have and like using.

 Flat or bright synthetic brushes in various sizes (from #4 to #12). Hog bristle brushes are not suitable for this workshop, but you can bring a few if you have them and are skillful in using them.

 One good large (2 inches wide) artist quality flat synthetic brush.

 Some filbert brushes and brushes of other shapes if you have them. Also, bring palette knives if you have them.

 Miscellaneous acrylic painting paraphernalia: palette, water sprayer, water container, soft cotton rags (important), paper towels.

 Bring a variety of photographs with scenes you would like to paint. I will also bring some to share.

first Part of DAY 1: Building Blocks

 Advantages of the acrylic medium that we will be using:

 Acrylic paint used without additives dries relatively quickly

 Subsequent layers do not compromise each other

 Acrylic paint can be applied, and marks made, with a multitude of tools

 Wide range of the paint viscosity can be used - very thick to very thin

 Exercise: Layering and mark-making

-    For this exercise, use cheap student-grade paint and scraps of canvas or small canvas boards

     Gather a variety of mark-making tools (brushes, knives, sticks, old credit cards, brush ends, etc.)

Pick a photo reference and select an area with a simple but interesting pattern (tree, clump of rocks, water pattern, few clouds, etc.)

Replicate a selected pattern using as many techniques as you can: applying and wiping off transparent paint, wet-in-wet, scraping off, scratching in, applying thick blobs, smudging, dragging, dry-brushing, calligraphy, etc. Have funRepeat this exercise with several different patterns.

Second Part of DAY 1: Developing Texture in Landscape Painting

This type of the painting process focusses on quickly developing rich textures. We will apply the building blocks that we just learned. In landscape painting, they translate to:

1. Gestural brushstrokes to create interesting surfaces

2. Overlapping layers rather than painting around the shapes

3. Stopping often to assess the progress

4. Leaving the interesting marks alone

5. Make necessary changes on the go

6. Vary marks for different things

7. Develop the entire surface gradually

Examples of subject matter that is fun to paint this way:

-       Foliage

-       Clouds

-       Mountain patterns

-       Water patterns

-       Rocks

-       Bark

-       Mostly anything found in nature

Exercise: Paint a simple landscape scene from the provided photo reference

Follow the demo, step by step.

Take the photo home and paint the scene again on your own time if you wish. Practice makes better!

 First Part of DAY 2: Assess and Expand

 Review and discuss the work done yesterday

Pick a photo reference for a more complex landscape painting

 Let's learn how to approach a more complex landscape painting using the process we practiced yesterday. The instructor's demo will cover:

 Colour and composition basics

Pigments, tools, and techniques

 Underpainting with thin transparent pigments

1. Gestural block-in from darks to the lights

1. Reinforcing the design (finding patterns)

 Project: Paint a landscape scene of your choice

Start working on your own from the provided photo reference on use your own. Try to follow the same painting process as the instructor. Use your own canvas or board, artist-quality paint, and your best tools for best results.

Second Part of DAY 2: Completion and Recap

1. Review progress and ask questions

1. Refinement and completion. The instructor's demo will cover:

1. Refining shapes and colours

1. Refining darks and lights

1. Adding details

Project: Continue working on your painting or start another one.

Feel free to take the provided reference material home and finish the pieces on your own.

Optionally, we can have a quick critique session at the end of the class.

Old Masters Class In Oil . . . With Paul Chizik

• Saturday, September 11, 202110:00
  Sunday, September 12, 202116:00

Master class in oil with Paul Chizik

Join master oil painter Paul Chizik for a 2 day exploration in master copy and traditional portrait/ figure oil painting. Students will select a master painting to copy and Paul will spend the weekend with you deconstructing the image that you have selected and rebuilding your masterpiece using traditional old master techniques.

$280 for the weekend. A supply list will be forwarded upon registration. 604-250-5562 to register, use the contact feature on the main page or email denecroft@gmail.com

For hundreds of years, old masters copied old masters. It was a great way for painters to hone in on their skills and learn vital techniques by replicating great masters from the past. By choosing a master of your choice, the student can learn various techniques as well as get a better understanding of a system that was employed during that era. Comparative and site size measurement will be demonstrated and learned as well as understanding morphology (The shape of things) and rheology( plastic flow of material) eg. paint. A demo will be included along with the tonal method of approach

Master class in oil with Paul Chizik

Join master oil painter Paul Chizik for a 2 day exploration in master copy and traditional portrait/ figure oil painting. Students will select a master painting to copy and Paul will spend the weekend with you deconstructing the image that you have selected and rebuilding your masterpiece using traditional old master techniques.

$280 for the weekend. A supply list will be forwarded upon registration. 604-250-5562 to register, use the contact feature on the main page or email denecroft@gmail.com

For hundreds of years, old masters copied old masters. It was a great way for painters to hone in on their skills and learn vital techniques by replicating great masters from the past. By choosing a master of your choice, the student can learn various techniques as well as get a better understanding of a system that was employed during that era. Comparative and site size measurement will be demonstrated and learned as well as understanding morphology (The shape of things) and rheology( plastic flow of material) eg. paint. A demo will be included along with the tonal method of approach

The Four Colour Landscape in Acrylics

with Janice Robertson

meeting our commitment to keeping the studio safe and meeting recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. Please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space. https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Course Outline

 This workshop will explore the possibilities of working on a painting with a limited number of colours. This is an excellent way to learn about colour mixing- to understand about primary, secondary and neutral colours and to know why muddy colour sometimes occurs.

 Through instructor demos, a number of techniques will be presented, including blocking in, brushwork, glazing, and positive and negative painting. Reference photos will be available or participants can work from their own images.

Day one will start with a group critique of work from home- maximum of 2 pieces per person. Any medium or subject matter is ok for the critique.

$280 including taxes for the weekend

Please use the contact feature on the home page to book, or call the studio at 604-250-5562

Supplies

 artist quality acrylic paint : titanium white, hansa yellow medium, quinacridone red, ultramarine blue and pthalo blue [green shade].

synthetic brushes- minimum 1 small round, 1, 1/2 & 1/4 inch flats

large palette to hold your paint

at least 2 canvases- suggested sizes 12 x 16 or 16 x 20

spray bottle for water

Golden acrylic glazing liquid in gloss or satin [ suggested]

paper towels and tissues

large water container

garbage bag to protect table

apron or paint shirt

Daily Painting with Gaye Adams

Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday July 4th

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

The eye sees far more accurately than the camera lens does, and the practice of working from a three dimensional subject matter as opposed to a two dimensional photo reference is a difficult yet highly rewarding experience. It is the super highway  sharpening your painting skills.  It is scales and arpeggios for the artists eye.  Our ability to see accurately is like a muscle; it atrophies when we do not use it, which is why the practice of working regularly from life improves our painting and drawing abilities dramatically.  There is no model to pay, no mosquitos or wind to distract us, so this method of training the eye is both convenient and effective.  It’s also fun.

In this course, all painting is done from small still life set ups – each student sets up and lights their own still life arrangement -  and paints on small supports; nothing bigger than 6X8”.  The goal is to paint exactly what you see, not in a tight fashion, but in an authentic and accurate way, seeing the correct tonal, colour, and spatial relationships.   If there is anything you are not seeing accurately, the painting will inform you immediately – which is why it is such great training.

A medium in which it is easy to make changes works best, which is why I suggest oils or pastels because both mediums remain workable throughout the painting process.  I will be working in oils but artists in other mediums are welcome to join in – instruction will focus around drawing, composition, colour mixing, seeing the correct tones, etc.  

In this workshop, the day will begin with a demo by the instructor, and then students will start on their own small paintings and should get  one or two  paintings done each day. Fundamentals such as composition, drawing, tonality,  and color mixing will all be covered.

$280 for the weekend. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book or use the contact feature on the main page.

Our second workshop in animal portraiture - pet portraits in oil with Desiree Monsurate

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop.

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Saturday June 26th and Sunday June 27th - Join us in celebrating our pets and take part in our second pet portrait workshop in oils and acrylics.

Desiree has both a passion for teaching and a passion for painting animals - This is the first workshop in this genre for the studio, and I couldn’t be happier that Desirée has agreed to teach it for us.

This workshop is best suited to student artists with limited experience - a little experience is helpful but most suited to intermediate and advanced beginner. Desirée paints in oils but oil and acrylic mediums are welcome.

Take a photo of your favourite pet and settle in for a two day immersive painting experience with Desirée - June 26th and 27th - all levels welcome but particularly suited to young painters and novice level painters.

$180 for the two days.

A supply list will be provided upon registration. Please use the contact feature on the main page to register, call the studio at 604-250-5562, or send an email to denecroft@gmail.com.

registration cut off for this workshop is June 22nd 2021

Introduction to Watercolour

Saturday, October 12th, 2019, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Sunday, October 13th, 9.30am to 1.30pm

Instructor:  Fred Osther

To many people, watercolour seems “so hard”.  This one-day course will help you get started on the right path with an understanding of materials and techniques.

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

We are attracted to watercolour’s fluid nature, subtlety, spontaneity and radiance that comes from the medium’s transparency.  But these same characteristics seem to give the brush a mind of its own.  Often, our first attempts are not successful because the paintings appear weak in value and “muddy” in colour.

This short course will help you gain control.  We will explore how far to push darks, how to build contrast and saturated colours and at the same time make the hard or soft edges that are essential to any painting.

For each subject, we will develop a “plan” for layering, reserving whites and placing darks.  Successful watercolours are more often the result of “thinking ahead” because corrections, although possible, are hard to make without destroying freshness.

We will work with a simple set of materials; paper, 2 brushes and a few pigments.  I encourage you to purchase good quality items as the interaction of paper, water, pigment and brush is critical to success. A recommended supply list will be sent out a few weeks before the course.

Throughout the day, we will work on:

·      Techniques; wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, washes and glazing

·      How to control water

·      Colour mixing

·      Contrast through values and edges

·      Contrast through colour temperature

·      Watercolour with pencil or ink drawings.

Fred Osther: 

I have been drawing and painting almost all my life.  Over the past 10 years, I have had the luxury of pursuing a personal program of art instruction, mentoring and painting in watercolour and oils.  Many workshops with excellent instructors and courses at the Ontario College of Art, Toronto, Angel Academy of Art, Florence and Gage Academy of Art, Seattle provided a sound foundation particularly in drawing and watercolour.  Over the past 4 years, Dene Croft has guided me through the challenges of painting in oil and developing a professional art career.

I strongly believe art is an acquired skill like riding a bicycle.  It’s easy to forget the first steps we took.  After a few scrapes, we finally get past the driveway and onto busy streets.  Then it becomes second nature.

Many professions use art as a communication tool such as engineers, architects, interior designers, fashion designers and fine art students.  Most do not start their training already knowing how.  It takes lessons, often many…but they all get there and so can you.

All supplies needed for this workshop are provided by the studio. Total cost for the two days(including instructor fee, taxes and material costs) $240

Please call the studio @604-250-5562 to book, or use the contact feature on the home page

ANN WILLSIE
Saturday, May 22nd and Sunday, May 23rd

Skies and clouds with Ann Willsie - skies and clouds are most often the defining element in a strong landscape composition. Ann will show you how to build depth and dimension in your skies and take your landscape paintings to a whole new level.

This workshop is for advanced beginner, intermediate and advanced painters wanting to expand their skill set and flex their creative mettle. Ann Paints in oil, but acrylic and oil painters are welcome.

$280.00, 10 am until 4.30 pm both days.

Please call 604-250-5562 or email the studio through the contact feature on the home page to reserve an easel in this workshop.

Our very first young artist only course designed for your budding 8-12 year old artist.

We are breaking away from our more adult oriented programs and offering a Wednesday night painting tutorial for children focusing on painting cartoon favourites and all things furry - pet portraits, animal studies - whatever your child’s current passion . . .

The environment is very spacious at 2600 sq feet and we take your child’s safety very seriously. To ensure everyones safety and comfort, numbers will be limited to 6 participants for this program. Please read the covid safety page on the website before booking your child for this workshop program. http://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Instructed by Desirée Monsurate - Desirée loves working with children and specializes in painting animal portraits, making her the perfect host/instructor for this special program.
http://www.monsurateart.com/biography

Wednesday evenings 6.30-8.30pm, 4 evenings $220.00 including tax and supplies.

The first class commences Wednesday April 14th 2021 at 6pm

Please phone the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, or email Denecroft@gmail.com

“40 Stroke Paintings: Focus on Brushwork”

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Dates: Saturday, April 10 & Sunday April 11 2021

Fee: $280

Location: Dene Croft Studios, 118 Pemberton Ave, North Van

To register: 604-250-5562

Times:  10am – 4pm (with ½ hour lunch)

Instructor: Lalita Hamill www.lalitahamill.com

Course description:

If you would like to create clean, expressive, confident paintings and reduce the amount of ‘mucking about’, this workshop is for you.  Through a series of demos followed by exercises, Lalita will guide participants through 40-stroke studies that can be used as inspiration for larger works to be completed in your studio. Participants can choose whether to paint a still life or from own reference photos. Appropriate for all oil or acrylic mediums, and will be geared toward those with some painting experience.

Saturday March 27th and Sunday March 28th , 2020, 9:30 am to 3:00 Saturday, 9.30 am until 12.30 pm Sunday

$220 per participant

Instructor:  Fred Osther

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Title: “Back to Basics – A Drawing Tutorial”

Description:

This tutorial will help students understand the basic skills an artist uses to create accurate and expressive drawings.  It’s a hands-on session working through a proven approach of four basic steps.  Absolute beginners and more experienced artists who are interested in a structured approach will enjoy this course.

Drawing is an acquired skill that is best learned one step at a time starting with simple basic shapes and progressing to complex line work. It is an essential tool for any artist whether they want to sketch on holidays, compose a painting or create fine artistic drawings.

Of course, practice is essential and this course will help the student identify their strengths and weaknesses and what to practice on their own to improve their drawing skills.

Over the 2-day session, we will work on:

1.     The Right Size:  Proportion and construction lines are the foundation of any good drawing.

2.     The Right Place: Composition and perspective create a sense of space within the flatness of our page.

3.     The Right Shape:  The correct outline may be a finished drawing, a plan for adding values or preparation for painting colours.

4.     The Illusion of 3D:  Values create form and mood as the artist decides how the final drawing will tell its story.

Fred Osther:  I have been drawing almost all my life.  Over the past 10 years, I have had the luxury pursuing a personal program of art instruction, mentoring and painting in watercolour and oils.

Many workshops with excellent instructors and courses at the Ontario College of Art, Toronto, Angel Academy of Art, Florence and Gage Academy of Art, Seattle provided a sound foundation.  Over the past 3 years, Dene Croft has mentored me through the challenges of painting in oil.  This drawing course was first developed and taught at Dene’s studio.

For me, drawing and painting is a visual journal of places, people and things I’ve seen.  I can’t imagine enjoying the process or outcomes without first learning “basic” drawing. 

I strongly believe drawing is an acquired skill like riding a bicycle.  It’s easy to forget the first steps we took.  After a few scrapes, we finally get past the driveway and onto busy streets.  Now it’s second nature.

Many professions use drawing as a communication tool such as engineers, architects, interior designers, fashion designers and fine art students.  Most do not start their training already knowing how to draw.  It takes lessons, often many…but they all get there and so can you.

Materials:

·      11”x14” sketch quality drawing pad

·      4B, 2B, HB, 2H pencils

·      sharpener

·      vinyl eraser

·      12” ruler

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

 Shapes,colour and light - simplifying the landscape

This  workshop is designed for beginners and intermediate students -  all mediums welcome. Ann will be working in oils

This course will be about focusing on the big shapes, the source of light and the colours in a landscape. We will be working through a simple landscape, touching on shapes, values, design, and edges.

This workshop will focus on composition, structure and design of your landscape. Before a painting is even begun, decisions have to be made about the overall design. Some of these decisions include:

1.     Focal Points

2.     Design Principles

3.     Space

4.     Orientation

5.     Use of values

6.     Colour harmony

Each morning will start with a brief discussion of the above subject matters, followed by  exercises designed to help you think about the composition before starting. Ann will be doing short demos throughout the day, as well as helping each individual with their painting on a one-on-one basis.

You will be asked to bring your own reference photos and we will spend some time going over them prior to painting.

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to reserve an easel, or use the contact feature on the main page and register via email.

$280 (incl tax) for the weekend

Vibrant acrylic landscapes           Perry Haddock, SFCA

The primary goal of this workshop is to encourage participants to approach landscape painting with an experimental attitude and the idea that, “It’s only ten bucks worth of materials . . .  Have some fun.” That isn’t to say that painting doesn’t require  knowledge of the principles of design and some discipline to apply them.  However, sometimes the anxiety of thinking we have to produce a “finished product” often results in tight drawing, tight brushwork, and slavish attention to photo sources.  Instead, let’s aim to challenge ourselves to “loosen up.”  Along the way, we’ll talk about composition, values, and colour as they apply to our paintings.

Participants are encouraged to bring several landscape photos as references.  The majority of the time will be spent painting, so make sure you have enough photos, canvasses, and snacks! 

Truly one of the finest watercolour artists that I have ever met . . . Javid Tabatabaei.

Javid is truly a world class artist, and I am so happy to be hosting his ongoing Friday evening watercolour course in my studio. Javid ran a very successful workshop July 2020 and this course offers an opportunity to take your painting skills to a new level based on the theme of that workshop

Rarely does an opportunity arise to learn from an artist of this caliber. Javid’s work speaks for itself - but he is not only a great artist - but also a great teacher. To be as accomplished at both making the art itself, and having the ability to effectively share your knowledge with others is a very rare thing.

Four two and a half classes per block, $250 per block. There will be 8 only student artists per class to comply with current covid and social restrictions. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 or use the contact feature on the home page to register

Truly one of the finest watercolour artists that I have ever met . . . Javid Tabatabaei.

Javid is truly a world class artist, and I am so happy to be hosting his first workshop in my studio, and following up over the next few years with weekly courses in watercolour painting . . . watch this space.

Rarely does an opportunity arise to learn from an artist of this caliber. Javid’s work speaks for itself - but he is not only a great artist - but also a great teacher. To be as accomplished at both making the art itself, and having the ability to effectively share your knowledge with others is a very rare thing.

Two days with this master class waterclour artist - July 25th and July 26th

$260 for the two days. A comprehensive supply list will be provided upon registration. Please use the contact feature on the home page, or call the studio at 604-250-5562 to register

“CREATIVE SKILL BUILDING IN ACRYLIC”

 Over the many years that I have known her, Susie has worked incredibly hard at honing her craft and mastering her medium, and is now possibly one of the best acrylic painters that I know. This will mark her first workshop in my studio, however she is a seasoned teacher, and has attended dozens of workshops with some of the finest artists in north America - she could now certainly call those artist/instructors her peers.

About the workshop . . . 

Your painting skills are built by practicing and training and by challenging yourself with new techniques and ideas. This intermediate level acrylic workshop will help you do just that.

We will spend two full days on fun and challenging drills and exercises involving speed, limited palette, limited and expressive brush strokes, tool use, different grounds and more.

 $260 for the two days. Please call the studio to book or use the contact feature on the home page. Registration is confirmed on receipt of payment no later than June 20th

During this past few months we have had to make a few changes to the studio operations to answer the concerns that we all share in the ongoing global effort to contain the covid 19 virus. While we seem to be entering a management phase - there is still significant risk and we all need to remain mindful of that.

Classes are running on a daily basis, however to allow for physical distancing we are only allowing 7 people in the studio at a time, and we ask that you wash or sanitize your hands as you enter and before commencing activities. There is a sanitizing station as you enter - although a quick trip to the sink and 20 second date with the soap is more effective - and kinder to your hands. Masks are optional, but the instructors will not be asked to wear them.

All hard surfaces bathroom, cleanup areas and door handles are sanitized daily and the work tables resurfaced every day. Beyond the precautions that we are taking, we are asking that potential workshop participants register for workshops ONLY if they are comfortable with the measures that we are taking and knowing that while we are managing numbers in the studio, there may be times that you are closer than 2 meters to your fellow artist. Every reasonable precaution has been taken yet we are only able to have so much control over interactions between participants.

We are welcoming back artists to our workshops, but we do so asking that you accept a measure of personal responsibility for your health and safety and ask that should you feel in any way unwell PLEASE do not attend - and understand that any type of social event carries an element of personal risk.

"Brushwork Essentials - Clouds, Rocks and Water"
Saturday and Sunday, Sept 24-25, 2016
Time: 10 am until 4pm both days cost: $260 incl. taxes

Lalita will provide a step-by-step series of exercises and studies in which participants will learn about brush technique while painting a variety of clouds, rocks and water.  We will begin by identifying the natural visual patterns created by tonal values, shapes, and textures, followed by instructor demos and extensive hands-on practice.  Techniques will include the following: brush grips, effective loading and appropriate consistency of paint, and application techniques such as pressure, strokes, dry brushing, blending and glazing.  Attention will also be given to creating a mood and eye flow by creating a variety of hard, soft, lost and found edges.  

This course can be for anyone using acrylics, open acrylics, or oils.  

Supply list:
Enough canvas to complete 12 small (5”x7” and 8”x10” studies), which could be in the form of:
-    A pad of canvas paper sheets, or
-    loose gessoed canvas (rolled, and can cut to size in class), or
-    large canvases on which we will ‘tape off’ smaller areas to do studies, or
-    canvas boards or stretched canvases, 6 of each size

Acrylic painters will need a small bottle of acrylic gloss glazing medium, Golden brand.

With respect to all other supplies, please just bring what you have.  There is no need to buy anything new.  However, if you do not have any supplies, the oil colours I will be using are the following.  I have placed a star by the ‘must-have’s’ if you do not yet own any paint:
-    Titanium white*
-    Yellow ochre*
-    Cad yellow medium*
-    Hansa yellow (or lemon yellow)
-    Cereulean blue*
-    Cobalt blue
-    Ultramarine blue*
-    Payne’s Grey (optional)
-    Burnt Sienna*
-    Cadmium red light
-    Cadmium red medium
-    Alizarin Crimson
-    Burnt Umber*
-    Raw Umber

I love Deborah's work . . . loose, impressionistic, fresh and painterly; her beautiful compositions and painterly style hit every mark in with respect to building  paintings in the high impressionist style. This is an oil workshop - a weekend of discovery and sharing of Deborah's extensive knowledge and experience. A little about the artist in Deborah's own words . . . 

I am a representational painter who works both in the studio and in the field.  Most often I am attracted first by the light and shadows which I want to capture in a simple and painterly manner, and then by textures and detail; my struggle is to find a balance between the two. It is something I am always working towards, always seeking to 'loosen up' yet still capture some of the detail that interests me. Although each painting, each subject, asks for its own approach and treatment.  
I was eighteen when I did my first painting, a watercolour, and I was hooked.  Watercolour captivated me for the next 25 years.  I lived in England for part of that time and was passionate about painting European street scenes,  attracted by the textures and subtle colours of old stone and brick and the narrow streets offering interesting perspectives.
I now live on the west coast of British Columbia and have been working in oil for many years, still painting buildings and streets but also exploring the local landscape and getting out to the many beaches, finding inspiration in boats, marinas and the sea. I am passionate about my work; I truly love it and paint every day.  Painting is a challenge, but always fascinating and deeply fulfilling.

MAKING A GOOD PAINTING  So many elements go into making a good painting and in this workshop we will cover as many as time permits, including composition, value sketches, black and white studies and blocking in with full colour.

We will pay particular attention to making a good beginning. The initial block in can have an enormous effect on the progress of that painting; it can flow relatively smoothly or be a struggle all the way through. I will demonstrate several ways to tackle that initial block in.

To reserve an easel in this workshop, please call the studio at 604-250-5562 or email by using the contact featuren on the main page. . . . Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September, 10am until 4.30pm. cost . . .$260 including taxes

TACKLING TREES/40 SHADES OF GREEN

Join one of my favourite BC artists Ann Willsie. Ann is not only a fabulous artist, but one of the best teachers that I know - she throws her heart and soul into her workshops and quickly builds rapport and confidence in her students with her easy going teaching style and very generous sharing of her wealth of knowledge. Ann works in oil, but this workshop is open to both acrylic and oil mediums.

 This workshop  will focus on painting trees and foliage in the landscape. Emphasis will be on

1. Recognizing shapes of various trees

2. Giving trees more character;  

3. Getting depth into your foliage,

4. The color of the trunks and branches.

5. Making those negative space skyholes

6. Mixing  greens

Part of the workshop will be creating a color chart of greens, a fundamental skill for painting trees and foliage, and a great reference for future paintings. 

Each morning will begin with a demo by Ann, followed by one-on-one instruction as each participant works on their own paintings.

There will be a maximum of twelve student artists for this workshop. This workshop is not suitable for people with no experience at all - some experience is required - otherwise all levels are welcome.

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to reserve an easel, or use the contact feature on the main page

$260 for the two days including taxes

Painting from life is the best thing you can do for your artistic practice no matter what genre of painting you enjoy! With the plein air painting season just around the corner, this weekend intensive of direct observation will cover the basics of plein air painting from the comfort of the studio... AND most importantly you will work from life. Using simple still life set-ups, Maria will guide you through a series of techniques used in her field work. Touching on sketching, composition, application of paint, understanding light and shadow, and how to use warm and cool colours, you can hone your painting skills to work quickly and efficiently...just as you would outdoors in changing conditions. This will be a full 2-days of painting replicating the outdoor experience!

Saturday February 22 and Sunday February 23rd 10am until 4pm both days $260.00 including taxes

Please call the studio to reserve a space, or use the contact feature on the home page

(604) 250-5562

Leanne christie - the urban landscape

This advanced workshop is about one thing: Understanding the language of oil painting: Concept, Colour, Contrast, Brushstroke and Complexity.  You will hopefully feel challenged as this workshop doesn't deal with the technical aspects of oil painting nor is it a how to.  This weekend is for the brave who are comfortable feeling lost and for the curious who don't mind pushing themselves as they strive to understand more about the sentences which their brushes create.  The 2 days are designed to heighten your awareness of the strengths of your medium, understand your viewers triggers, be conscious of the evolution of the painting and to troubleshoot your way to a painting which uniquely reflects your aesthetic.

 This is the workshop for you if you're feeling a little trapped or repetitious in your work or if you are simply looking for a way to be looser and freer in your approach to painting.  Leanne specializes in oil paint and can impart a deep knowledge of the abstract qualities of oils but acrylic artists are welcome to attend (please email leanne@leannechristie.com ahead of the workshop if you plan to use acrylics) 

Please call or use the contact function on the main page to make reservations. Space is limited to ten participants $250 inclusive. Ph. 604-250-5562

PAINTING THE ALLA PRIMA STILL LIFE with VAL NELSON    

Saturday November 23rd and Sunday 24th

Weekend workshop 9:30am-4:30pm 

If you think you can’t draw, don’t worry, this workshop shows you that you can paint! Create an engaging still life in two days. This weekend workshop shows you how to block in, develop your composition further, and push value and colour differences to enhance the space in your painting. Oil or acrylic. All levels.

Instructor Biography: Val believes that painting can be fun and challenging, offering a beautiful pathway to self-realization. A finalist in the Royal Bank Painting Competition, Val Nelson has exhibited widely across Canada, and has been represented by Bau Xi Gallery and Galerie de Bellefeuille. She has taught painting at Gordon Smith Gallery, Shadbolt Arts Centre, Emily Carr University, Red Deer College, and Vancouver Island School of Art. Val has 1800+ students and five-star reviews for her online painting course with NBC Bluprint(formerly Craftsy),

Val Nelson’s artistic practice has been diverse over the course of her career, encompassing video, dance performance, painting, and drawing. Throughout various media she seeks to transmit an embodied and empathic experience to the viewer. Educated at Emily Carr College of Art and Design, Val was a 2003 finalist in the Royal Bank Painting Competition. She has received numerous grants and awards including a Canada Council Travel grant, an artist grant for her residency at Vermont Studio Centre, and Visual Arts Development Award (Contemporary Art Gallery/Vancouver Foundation). Her paintings and drawings have been published in Carte Blanche Volume II: Painting (Magenta Foundation), International Painting Annual 3 (Manifest Drawing and Research Centre), Capilano University Press, and Subterrain Magazine, among others. Public institutions that have collected her work include Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Canada Council Art Bank, Surrey Art Gallery, and Vancouver General Hospital. 

$250.00 for the weekend

please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, or email denecroft@gmail.com

PORTRAIT PAINTING WORSHOP

CONTEMPORARY REALISM

Would you like to learn the technical skills of painting the portrait? During this workshop you will discover the skill of comparative measurement - essential  to draw a portrait from life. The likeness is found in the proportions. Course content will focus on the stages of how to construct a painting. Every participant will gain a deeper understanding of form, shape, value, shadow, and light families. The workshop will paint the same model for both days. We will not be able to complete our paintings in a two day course but the finishing stages will be discussed.

SHORT DESCRIPTON: Would you like to learn the technical skills of painting the portrait? This 2 day portrait workshop will give you a step by step plan of how an indirect painting is constructed. Every participant will improve – no special genius required.  All levels welcome.

What you will learn!

-       Comparative measurement.

-       Stages of painting

-       How to construct form, shapes, value, shadow, and light families.

Participants are required to supply their own materials. Model is included.

Cost: $260.00 incl. model fee and taxes

INSTRUCTOR: Angela Muellers is a local artist with 30 years experience. She has completed ten years of full time studies at three schools . Additionally, she has attended several workshops from top American artists. She has been a finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s competition and won a purchase award. She lives and teaches on going courses in Brackendale.