" The whimsical landscape" - using colour translation and creative license to create dynamic landscapes

Saturday, May 20th and Sunday May 21st . . . 10am until 4pm - both days.

. . .  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 register link register . . .(604) 250-5562 and send payment of $280 by the 10th May 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

Maria Josenhans “The anatomy of the brush-stroke”

THE ANATOMY OF A BRUSHSTROKE

Brushwork is undoubtedly a defining feature of a painting. Its expressiveness conveys not only the feeling of the hand that produced it, but supports the story of the painting. It brings movement and life to the canvas, be it a landscape, portrait or still life. In this two day workshop you will be guided through exercises designed to explore and experiment with mark making in an attempt to ‘find your voice’ and bring your painting to life. You will be asked to be deliberate, slow and sure. You will be amazed!

You will be working small (no larger than 12x16) and from your own photo references (does not have to be a landscape), and you will endeavor to do a painting a day. This course is suitable for both oil and acrylic painters.

Bring your painting supplies, your lunch (light refreshments provided) and a couple of landscape ideas.

$280 (including taxes) for the weekend. Registration by e-mail denecroft@gmail.com or calling the studio at (604)250-5562. A supply list and any further information relevant to this workshop will be provided upon registration

PET PORTRAITS

Once a year we offer a workshop specifically designed to honour our fur babies and further the student artists skill set.
Usually I have someone else teach this course, but this year I am teaching this one personally

We are going to be using a combination of 16th century and contemporary techniques - a little bit of literal interpretation with  a bit of whimsy thrown in.

Have some fun with your pets. Take a photo of them in unusual, playful situations. Shots from above are fun (lots of foreshortening). Straight out of the bath and feeling sorry for themselves always makes an interesting pic. Capture the personality of your pup (or puss - ducks, owls, rabbits - all are welcome).

Below are a few examples of the kinds of shots that make ideal subjects. Feel free to use the attached if you wish.

Saturday August 31st and Sunday September 1st
10am until 4pm both days

$280 including taxes for the weekend
light refreshments will be provided

To register please call the studio at 604-250-5562 or use the following link https://www.denecroft.com/contact-dene-croft

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

June 10th and June 11th

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 link register

This workshop is all about trees, starting with what to look for in your photos to create a good composition.   We will focus on the importance of the shapes and the values when starting your painting; creating a pleasing composition; blocking in the big graphic shapes; blocking in the shadows;  portraying trees in the distance; dealing  with clusters of leaves and the colour of bark  

On the first day I will be guiding everyone through a simple painting of trees , from start to finish. We will also be doing some colour studies and simple charts of greens. I will  be talking about what colours to use for shadow greens, sunlit greens and greens for distance.  

The second day will be your choice of photo reference. I will have lots of photos for everyone to use if you wish.  

suitable for all levels of ability and oil or acrylic medium

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.

GAYE ADAMS “Waves and water - the west coast seascape

I have had so much interest in this particular subject over the years - Gaye recently ran a very successful waves workshop in my studio - and as a follow up we decided to run a similar workshop - but this time including beaches and headlands. This workshop is ideal for anyone wanting to deal with the subject of waves, beaches and headlands - pretty much all things seascape related, and provides a terrific follow-up workshop for those that took part in the first Waves workshop earlier this year

The workshop will be open to both mediums, but Gaye is an oil painter and she will be demonstrating in oils.

Please call the studio to register 604-250-5562 or email denecroft@gmail.com

Sat 19th and Sun 20th, 10 am until 4pm both days

Cost: $280 incl. taxes for the weekend

Paints:

Titanium White

Ultramarine Blue

Prussian Blue (for acrylicists only)

Cadmium Red, light

Cadmium Red medium (for acrylicists only)

Cadmium Yellow light

Pthalo Blue

Transparent Earth Red or Transparent Red Iron Oxide

Yellow Ochre

Alizarin Crimson

Brushes:

Bring an assortment of flat or bright bristle brushes for oil painters, or synthetics for acrylicists.

Sizes: 2,4,6,8,10.  It will go easier for you if the brushes are well shaped, springy and good quality.

Medium:  Just Gamsol for oil painters;  Glazing liquid and water for acrylicists

Disposable palette, 11X14 or 12X16

Photo references:  provided by instructor

Good quality bendable metal palette knife

Paper towels for cleaning brushes

Canvases:  Please bring only small canvases 2-3 8X10 or 9X12 - please NO LARGER

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL DEMOS WILL BE IN OILS, SO IF YOU HAVE OILS YOU SHOULD USE THEM INSTEAD OF ACRYLICS.

The contemporary portrait . . . “grisaille and master technique in 21st century portraiture . . . round 2

The only portrait workshop that I will be teaching this year . . . this is going to be a gooder

The contemporary portrait - Master techniques in 21st century portraiture. A two day workshop with Dene Croft exploring the methods and master techniques employed in building  portraits and figure studies in oil and acrylic.

This workshop deals principally with grisaille and underpainting - building the tonal values before building the palette and mixing flesh tones, the importance of under-paint - full instruction and demonstrations on building your portrait from the underpaint or Grisaille, to the finished piece  (. . . lots of hand holding - nobody gets left behind!) adding elements of abstraction to create mood and ambiance.

Cost . . . $280 including taxes

Bring your lunch (some refreshments supplied), your prepared canvas (gessoed and lightly sanded)  your brushes and palette and most importantly, a very clear 8x10 colour photo of your subject. We will provide the paint, mediums etc.

We will be covering topics from lighting and shooting your subjects, the importance of pre-studies, composition and preparing your canvas, incorporating other mediums into your portrait, mixing colour, setting up palette, Grisaille and other master techniques. We will also cover a little art history and discuss  the "rogues gallery" of history's portrait painters  . . .a bit of a whos-who;  an in-depth look at what they really got up to in their studios; their relationships with apprentices and popes, and the many and varied cheats, tricks and techniques that they employed in their painting.

Space will be limited to 10 artists so if you would like to book a place, phone the studio at 604-250-5562 and send an etransfer to denecroft@gmail.com, or forward a cheque made out to Dene Croft in the amount of $280 and send to the studio no later than September 1st

N.B . . . as we generally maintain a waiting list for this event, we must insist on early registration as we are no longer able to accept payments on the day of the workshop.

This is the only one for the year folks. I teach beginners in the studio every day - but this one is for those of you that would like to take a course but can’t make it during the week.

All of the basics are covered here - and I supply everything - just show up with your lunch

$280 incl tax and supplies. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to register, or use the following link register. Registration close off is July 31st 2024

Ann Willsie 2024

Impressionistic florals

Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th

10am until 4pm both days . . . $280 (incl. taxes)

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, watercolours, pastels etc.

The focus of this workshop will be on colour . . .

1/ mixing your colours - how to create your own palette of selected colours

2/ saturation of colours

3/ values - one of the most important aspects of your paintings

4/ luscious greys - how to mix them and where to use them

5/ cool and warm colours

We will be preparing a colour chart for everyone to take home, as well as a small value study in monochromatic colours.

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

There will be a maximum of 10 registrants for this workshop and we already have 8 confirmed, so if you would like to register for one of the remaining easels, please call the studio at the number below, or reply to this email.

Payment can be made by electronic transger to denecroft@gmail.com, or cash/cheque/credit in person, cheque by mail to the address below. Registration will be closed off July 8th 2024. Payments will need to be made by July 8th to secure your registration.

Join Tiffany for a really fun weekend of exploration in texture and abstract composition - crackle mediums, acrylic pours, texturing gels - this is the fun workshop - lots of room for play and creativity

Saturday July 6th and Sunday July 7th - $280 incl tax for the two days.

Please reserve your easel by calling the studio at 604-250-5562, or using the register link register

Close off for registration is July 1st. Payment can be made by sending an etransfer to denecroft@gmail.com, or in person in the studio

“CREATIVE SKILL BUILDING IN ACRYLIC”

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.

Saturday June 1st and Sunday June 2nd, 10am until 4pm both days

$280 including taxes. Please reserve your easel by calling the studio at 604-250-5562, or by using the register link register

Reservation is confirmed by payment. Payments can be made by e-transfer to denecroft@gmail.com or in person in the studio. All payments must be received prior to May 25th 2024

“CREATIVE SKILL BUILDING IN ACRYLIC” - PART 2

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.

If you have taken PART 1 of this workshop that is great but not a

prerequisite doing PART 2. Expect new and challenging exercises in

this workshop.

We will spend 2 days on fun and challenging drills and exercises

involving speed, limited palette, shape making, limited and expressive

brush strokes, tool use, different grounds and more.

Materials List:

** Please arrive prepared with all of the following supplies **

Acrylic Paint – bring what you have but be sure to include:

titanium white

iron oxide black (or any black)

cad yellow light

cad red light

yellow ochre

dioxazine purple

pthalo green

ultramarine blue

pthalo blue (red shade)

alizarine OR quin magenta.

Quin gold OR trans yellow oxide OR trans red oxide for glazing. Bring

two out of three, or all 3 if you already have them.

Double check your paint tubes to confirm that you are not bringing

any oil, water mixable oil or open acrylics to this workshop.

Sketch book and pencil, spray bottle, ruler, water bucket, paper

towels or rags.

Gloss medium (you will only need a small bottle)

1/2 of a big sheet of water colour paper – 140 lb, cold pressed

(rough).

1/2 of a big sheet of water colour paper – 140 lb, hot pressed

(smooth).

One roll painters tape (green or blue, not white).

2 - 8x10 and 1 - 9x12 canvases.

1 - 8x10 wood panel.

I will be supplying other surfaces like yupo and pastel paper.

Hard-board, foam-core or cardboard - 18x24” is a good size, or

bigger, something to tape your WC paper to.

A good brush selection, you will also need a 1” and 2” flat or bright

(NOT a home depot brush). No soft watercolour brushes.

A few acrylic markers and ink pens. If you don’t have any we will

share.

A varied image/photo selection – landscape, figure, animals,

buildings etc… whatever interests you. Bring a variety of subject

matter to work with.

Palette knife.

Easel, if not provided by the facility. I am not a fan of table easels and

prefer to stand when painting. If you prefer to stand you will have to

bring a tall easel.

Any questions? Feel free to email me.

Line, Light and Space

An introduction to drawing for beginners

 The journey to fine art begins with a keen interest, a bit of knowledge and a few important skills.

 Learning how to draw has been an aspiring artist’s first step for hundreds of years. Today, it’s a foundation course for most art colleges.

 Fortunately, drawing is an acquired skill that everyone can do with a little knowledge and a bit of practice.

 Many professions use drawings to communicate ideas; interior design, fashion, architects, graphic arts, marketing to name a few.  Most students begin their training with very limited drawing abilities but over a semester or two become very proficient. 

 Using simple tools we will explore how line, light and space work together to express your visual ideas.  We’ll practice basic skills and explore the wide range that combining ink and pencil offers the artist.

 Whether you want to just sketch for fun or make better paintings, this workshop will help you get your ideas on paper. 

 We will look at:

 ·     How lines give shape and much more to a drawn object

·      How light falling on objects is “managed” to best show form and create a mood

·      How space is created by perspective and composition

 As an introductory course, our objective is to get you started in the right direction.  We’ll look at recognized master artworks to see what they did and identify key principles embedded in good art. 

 We’ll also talk about some next steps that you could take to continue your artistic journey.

 We’ll send you a supply list before the workshop.

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book or click on the contact feature contact

GAYE ADAMS “Waves and water - the west coast seascape

I have had so much interest in this particular subject over the years - however, I don’t think that we have ever run a workshop dealing specifically with this subject.

. . . well here it is - and you are getting the very best - Gaye Adams will be guiding you through the process of painting waves and water in oil and acrylics. The workshop will be open to both mediums, but Gaye is an oil painter and she will be demonstrating in oils.

Please call the studio to register 604-250-5562 or email denecroft@gmail.com

Sat 13th and Sun 14th, 10 am until 4pm both days

Cost: $280 incl. taxes for the weekend

Paints:

Titanium White

Ultramarine Blue

Prussian Blue (for acrylicists only)

Cadmium Red, light

Cadmium Red medium (for acrylicists only)

Cadmium Yellow light

Pthalo Blue

Transparent Earth Red or Transparent Red Iron Oxide

Yellow Ochre

Alizarin Crimson

Brushes:

Bring an assortment of flat or bright bristle brushes for oil painters, or synthetics for acrylicists.

Sizes: 2,4,6,8,10.  It will go easier for you if the brushes are well shaped, springy and good quality.

Medium:  Just Gamsol for oil painters;  Glazing liquid and water for acrylicists

Disposable palette, 11X14 or 12X16

Photo references:  provided by instructor

Good quality bendable metal palette knife

Paper towels for cleaning brushes

Canvases:  Please bring only small canvases 2-3 8X10 or 9X12 - please NO LARGER

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL DEMOS WILL BE IN OILS, SO IF YOU HAVE OILS YOU SHOULD USE THEM INSTEAD OF ACRYLICS.

“dramatic skies- the impressionistic west coast landscape in acrylic"

Join impressionistic painter Dale Byhre for two days of acrylic fun exploring the drama and complexity of the west coast landscape

If your goal is to loosen your style and create dramatic skies and idyllic west coast landscapes , then this is the workshop for you.

10 am until 4pm both days

Saturday March 16th and Sunday March 17th

Please call the studio at 6042505562 to book, or register by email using the contact feature on the home page.

$280 including taxes for the weekend

“Colour in the acrylic landscape” - with JANICE ROBERTSON

Do skies always need to be blue? Do rocks always need to be grey? This workshop will focus on how to see the colour that’s "almost there" and get creative with your landscape colour choices. Unexpected colour is a great way to juice up your paintings and go beyond copying a photograph.

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 link register, 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

Jay Senetchko . . .January 6th and 7th 2024

Jay Senetchko is a storyteller, who uses his representational narrative art as a vehicle for social commentary and criticism. He is most easily defined as a painter, although he situates his practice in a broader material context and process, which includes photography, digital media, sculptures, performance and installations. His spectacle-based exhibitions are an effort to insert fine art back into the social fabric by engaging the public at large, not only the academic and invested.

Course Description: Painting from Life in Oil

Figurative artist Jay Senetchko has been teaching and exhibiting figurative artwork for

over two decades. His upcoming course shares the knowledge and experience

he has accrued over that time. Senetchko will demonstrate palette set-up for skin tones,

mixing colour and colour theory, a variety of painting techniques, the methodology of

paint application, as well as the necessary drawing and anatomical knowledge to make

the painting process easier. This information will be delivered through the development

of two paintings: one portrait, and one full-figure. Both will have 2 full classes dedicated

to their development and completion. This course has great information for the novice

and experienced painter alike, in their pursuit of painting the figure and painting from life

In Senetchko’s primary medium of oil on canvas he operates as a figurative realist creating narrative-based paintings and metaphorical still-life. His subject matter, featuring elements of his personal history, contemporary life, topical subject matter, and historical references exposes his interests in theory, history, politics, and contemporary concerns. Through these vehicles it is his intention to comment on and critique the present, reveal historical parallels, provoke thoughtful approaches to the future, and to integrate art and life.

COMPOSITION AND VALUES IN THE LANDSCAPE 

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

This workshop will focus on composition and values in landscape painting. Making sure you have a great composition before you start your painting is the key to success in your work. We will be talking about different aspects of design , lineal and atmospheric perspective, as well as values in your painting..  

We will be doing some composition exercises in the morning, then working on a painting together for the first day. I will be bringing a reference photo for everyone to work on. The second day will be your choice of subject matter – please bring photo references. 

Saturday November the 4th and Sunday November the 5th - 10am until 4pm

Cost . . .$280.00 including gst.

Please call the studio to register 604-2505562 - or use the contact feature on the main page to register or simply email Denecroft@gmail.com

West Coast Scenes in Watercolour

Saturday July 8th and Sunday July 9th 10am until 4pm both days

Join master watercolorist James Koll for two days of immersive instruction in the fundamentals of the west coast landscape in watercolour

Watercolour is an ideal medium to capture the light and atmosphere of the BC West Coast. This workshop will  focus on developing and strengthening the fundamental skills of watercolour painting while exploring strategies to bring marine landscapes to life. It will include demonstrations and plenty of one-on-one instruction as students complete at least one finished painting.

$280 including taxes .

Please call the studio at 604-2505562 to register, or use the contact feature on the main page

An eight week course in watercolour painting with renowned master watercolourist Javid Tabatabataei

Two consecutive four week blocks, every Wednesday evening between 7 and 9.30. Wednesday June 7th through Wednesday August 9th.

$280 per registrant for one month, and $480 for both both months

Please call the studio to register 604-2505562 or use the contact feature on the main page, or simply email denecroft@gmail.com

7 until 9.30 pm every Wednesday commencing Wednesday June 7th and ending August 9th

“The elements of landscape in acrylics” - with Janice Robertson

Saturday May 6th and Sunday May 7th, 2023

This workshop will present techniques for painting the basics of a landscape- tree, rocks

and water. There will be a prepared demo and lots of one on one coaching.

Students have the option to follow the demo image, or paint from their own reference.

Techniques covered will include blocking in, layering, glazing, brushwork and positive

and negative painting.

There will be a group critique on the first day where students can bring work from home

for feedback. Any subjects or mediums are welcome for this.

call the studio at 6042505562 to book, or follow this link to email your registration https://www.denecroft.com/contact-dene-croft

$280 including taxes

Gaye Adams “Catching the light”

This course will explore how to capture the ineffable quality of light in painting. In getting all color, value, and temperature relationships correct we, as painters, can create the wonderful illusion of light with mere pigments on canvas.

We will be working from photo references.  I will provide some but students are also welcome to bring a few of their own.   We will be working small, no larger than 8x10 in order to get several paintings completed during the workshop. If you have challenges getting the light to "read" in your paintings, this is the workshop for you.

Open to acrylic and oil painters - suitable for advanced beginners and intermediate painters

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

$280 including tax for the weekend. Please contact the studio at 6042505562 to book, or use the contact feature on the main page

" Taking your work to the next level - tricks and techniques of composition and colour""

This workshop will focus on developing compositional tricks and techniques, brush stroke technique, colour translation and palette building and colour mixing in acrylic and water soluble oil.

Using grey scale under paint and high chroma over paint, you will learn to create your frame ready masterpiece from a simple image.

Saturday and Sunday 10 am until 4pm . $280 including taxes for both days

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, use the contact feature on the main page, or email denecroft@gmail.com to make you reservation

Modern impressionism with MARIA JOSENHANS

Loose, representational, expressive and a strong sensitivity to colour... these are the trademarks of Impressionism. In this weekend workshop you will build your repertoire of brushwork and paint application; you will expand your ability to use colour in a direct and creative way, and in doing so elevate your painting style. This workshop is geared towards landscape with an emphasis on atmosphere. Participants will work from their own photographs and/or plein air work.

This workshop is open to intermediate and advanced painters working in either oil or acrylic.

Please call the studio to book 6042505562, or use the contact feature in the link book now

$280 including taxes

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.

SaturdayNovember 12th, and Sunday November 13th, 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

The Four Colour Landscape in Acrylics

with Janice Robertson

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 link register, 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

Dates: Saturday, October 1st & Sunday October 2nd 2022

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:

“Eloquent” means to be able to express oneself clearly and well. Whether you want your paintings to have a soft, blended feel, or be full of energetic strokes and texture, or anything in between, there are key techniques to master. The way you move and use a brush contributes substantially to your artistic ‘style’ or ‘voice’. If your marks are heavy-handed, tentative, sloppy, unintentional, uninteresting, and/or overworked, you are not living up to your full artistic potential.

Those of you ready to take your brushwork and mark-making to the next level of expressiveness, Lalita will guide participants through a series of step by step demos and exercises, to be applied to small studies.

Main topics will include the following:

⦁ Choosing the right tool and grip for the look you want

⦁ Ensuring your paint is the appropriate consistency, and what to do when it isn’t

⦁ The benefits of using a light ‘touch’ and variety of strokes

⦁ Creating effective edges, including hard, soft, and lost

⦁ Mixing colour on the palette vs on the canvas

⦁ When to leave strokes alone

⦁ How to move the viewer’s eye with mark-making

⦁ Techniques such as dry brushing, blending and glazing

⦁ What to do when things go ‘sideways’

Supplies:

Regular oil or acrylic supplies (water soluble oils and open acrylics too)

Substrate: Canvas is preferable, and enough canvas to complete two small (8” x 10” or 11”x14”) studies, and a few exercises, which could be in the form of:

⦁ Loose gessoed canvas (cut into roughly 12”x16” pieces), or

⦁ Stretched canvas

⦁ Canvas boards (please add another 2 coats of gesso to be dry before class)

Colours: please have available 1 white, 3 yellow, 2 red, 2 blue, 1 umber (raw or burnt) & 1 black

Palette: if your palette is smaller than 12”x16”, you may need two – one for laying out paints and the other for mixing colour.

Brushes: the more, the better. Please use what you have, and ensure some are new enough that they will leave a clear mark.

Several photo reference images, or you can opt to use photos provided by Lalita, which will be provided upon registration.

Small palette knife for mixing paint.

Recommended:

That participants have 2 line drawings prepared on canvas (around 8x10 or 11x14) in advance so we can focus on brushwork rather than drawing accuracy. Watch Lalita’s video on how to transfer an image at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyd0ejTCLuE and subscribe for more free videos. *Please do not paint anything onto the canvas (other than gesso) before class.  

Acrylic painters are recommended to have a small bottle of Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid (see image below - matte, satin or gloss) because it has retarder in it and enhances viscosity and the creation of soft edges and long gestures.

Some kind of a ‘blender’ brush is recommended, especially for oil painters. Lalita prefers the series 444 1” blender brush from Rosemary & Co in the UK. https://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/blender-brushes

Paul Chizik “soft pastel atmospheric landscapes”

Working with Soft Pastel. Paul Chizik.

This course will explore the freshness and immediacy of Soft Pastel.

A medium used by Masters such as Degas and Monet amongst others.

We will explore many examples, discussions and demonstrations with the aid of

samples from Old Masters using this versatile medium.

Gain an in-depth understanding of the various techniques, applications, mark making,

layering and the use of materials associated with this rich and versatile medium, such

as the use of coloured grounds, various papers and the understanding of the different

consistencies and the different brands of pastels.

With a hands on approach and demonstrations throughout the course the artist will gain

a sound understanding and confidence of the use of this complex medium.

$280 for the two days. Please call the studio at 604-2505562 to book a place an easel for this workshop - or use the contact feature link register

ANN WILLSIE
Saturday, August 20th and Sunday August 21st 2022

This workshop will focus on using Atmospheric Perspective to give your paintings more depth. We will be looking at the effects of atmosphere on objects and how to obtain that effect in your paintings. We will talk about portraying distance by using less saturated colors, soft edges and using less contrast and detail. Demo will be a mountain scene using all the above tools.

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 register link register