Introduction to Oil Painting

Tutor: Maria Heaton Dates: June 5th,12,19, 26th June

BAS has had Oil paints donated for us to use!! So, this is a class designed for those who would like an opportunity to learn about painting with beautiful, luscious oils without the cost of buying a set!  

Why oils you ask?  Nothing beats the blend ability and versatility of oils!  To help you explore the many ways you can use Oil paints, Maria has planned demonstrations and explanations about techniques that you can then try. 

Oil paints really come into their own when used to refine large, blended areas when a longer working time is needed (unlike acrylics).  Enjoy creating large, blended skies, portraits or petals with less layering needed!  Lean into those positives and you might just fall in love like Maria did :)

There will be notes given with detailed information about paint colours, preventing "mud”, supports, brushes, palettes, mediums, the fat over lean principle, solvents and varnishing.

The first 2 weeks will be structured. The last 2 weeks you can continue working on your example OR work on another subject of your choice. There will be plenty of time for individual help. 

All oil paints and mediums for this class will be supplied. 

Materials Brushes Canvas or board Jar with a lid for solvent

Ballina Art Society

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Re-imagining Watercolour

Tutor: Jenny Sayer

Dates: August 7, 14, 21, 28th


;Reimagining Watercolour" – Jenny Sayer

How does outdoor paint sketching influence the final watercolour piece?

Inspiration from being in a natural setting can inspire creativity and lead to unique

compositions that may not arise in a studio environment.

Direct Observation - Experimentation! Sketching outdoors allows artists to observe colours,

light, and textures in real time, evoking different feelings depending on the time of day and

weather leading to more vibrant representations capturing Mood and Atmosphere

Understanding Form and Structure: Sketching helps artists grasp the shapes and

proportions of subjects, as important are the negative spaces.

Personal Connection & Relaxation Sketching in nature fosters a personal connection to the

subject, which can imbue the final artwork with greater emotional depth. Sketching outdoors

can be a meditative experience, helping artists to relax and find joy in the creative process.

WEEK 1 –Thursday 7 th August: PLEASE KEEP ALL WORK for use on other days!!!

Familiarize with basic watercolour techniques and materials. –

Materials Needed: Watercolour paper, brushes, watercolour paints, palettes, and water

containers

Begin with huge washes and colour play outside if weather permits

1. Explore different types of watercolour paints and papers.

2. Demonstration: Show techniques like wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry brush.

3. artists create a simple landscape using at least two techniques.

4. discussion on what worked and what didn’t.

WEEK2-Thursday 14 th : OUTSIDE Weather permitting PLEASE KEEP ALL WORK for use

on other days!!!

Outdoor mayhem- soak, paint, create - plants, landscapes, natural textures, abstraction

express your unique styles and themes using watercolour.

Materials- Papers, watercolours, brushes, outdoor space for observation. – Use nature as

inspiration for watercolour artwork. – Create a piece focusing on capturing the essence of

the natural forms. We will add to this next week.

Share experiences and techniques used during the outdoor session.

WEEK 3 -Thursday 21st th : PLEASE KEEP ALL WORK for use on other days!!!

Experimenting with Mixed Media by combining watercolours with other materials. –

Materials - Watercolour paper, watercolours, oil pastels, watercolour pencils, collage

materials (your paintings) ink, gouache

1. Discuss how different materials can enhance watercolour work.

2. create a mixed media piece, integrating at least one other material with watercolours.

Display works and provide feedback to peers. Discuss cropping and size for next week’s

session.

WEEK 4 - Thursday 28th: Bring along all work from previous weeks

Discuss ways of presenting your work that do not require it to be under glass.

mounting ready to frame/ stay unframed. – Cropping, Fix and wax.

Materials Needed: your works on watercolour paper, soft rags, old/cheap brush for glue and

an old credit card

workable fixative- works can be sprayed before leaving home.

sanded ply or cupboard backing (flat board) cut to the size you would like finished work

Materials provided: PVA water-based glue, soft wax

.Exhibition: Set up a mini-exhibition where students present their work and discuss their

artistic choices.

Common techniques used in outdoor paint sketching

*Quick Sketching: Using fast, loose lines to capture the overall shapes and proportions of a

scene without getting bogged down in details.

*Contour Drawing: Focusing on the outline of objects, which helps to define their shapes

and relationships within the composition.

*Gesture Drawing: Capturing the movement and energy of a scene quickly, often in just a

few lines, to convey the dynamic aspects of the subject.

*Wash Techniques: Applying a light wash of watercolour or ink to create backgrounds or add

atmospheric effects, enhancing the sketch’s visual appeal.

*Colour Mixing: Experimenting with different watercolour mixes on-site to achieve natural or

heightened effects

*Layering: Building up layers of colour or detail gradually.

*Negative Space Drawing: Focusing on the spaces around objects rather than the objects

themselves, which can help with composition and balance.

*Field Notes: Writing observations or notes alongside sketches to capture thoughts about

colours, textures, or feelings associated with the scene.

*Dynamic Subjects: Outdoor settings often feature moving subjects (like people or animals)

that challenge artists to capture motion and spontaneity.

BRUSHES… OR sponges, sticks, leaves, fingers, rags

etc etc etc

The choice of implement impacts how paint is applied, the level of detail achievable,

and the overall texture and feel of the artwork. Artists can better control their techniques

and achieve their desired effects.

I’m always coming back to this. It doesn’t matter WHAT YOU USE to make your

mark! BUT Some knowledge of your tools makes life so much easier and painting more

enjoyable.

Consider the marks you want to make:

A few examples…

Do you need to hold a lot of liquid in your brush? Mop Brushes -Large, soft brushes

for sweeping strokes and washes. Perfect for applying watercolour washes or creating

soft textures

Are you looking for fine lines or detail? Maybe you could use a small brush, but if

you’re looking for long flowing lines a brush with long hair (rigger) is best – it saves a lot

of stopping and starting.

Even a flat brush or filbert turned on its side is very effective and can give great variation

in line work.

Is texture your goal? Then the choices are all yours. Large brushes can create

dynamic textures and movement in the paint.

Flat Brushes - Great for creating sharp edges, straight lines, and filling in larger areas. Can

be used for both broad strokes and fine details when turned on its side. Ideal for techniques

like scumbling and glazing.

Filbert Brushes- Combine the features of flat and round brushes. - Ideal for soft edges,

blending, and creating rounded shapes

Small Brushes - Ideal for intricate details, fine lines, and precise work. Allows for controlled

application of paint, making it easier to create highlights, textures, and delicate features

Large Brushes: - Excellent for covering large areas quickly and efficiently. - Useful for broad

strokes, washes, and background work

Round Brushes: - Versatile for various techniques, from fine detail work to broad strokes.

The pointed tip allows for detail, while the belly can hold more paint for broader strokes.

Fan Brushes - Useful for texture and special effects. Great for foliage, fur, and creating

patterns or textures, as they can mimic natural elements easily

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PAYMENT/ ENROL see below JS (tutor initials)

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Thursdays 9.30am - 2.30pm

(arrive and set up at the hall 9.00)

Scout Hall, Canal Road, Ballina         Cost $100 4 classes

  All experience levels welcome        

PAYMENT/ ENROL    

$100 Course Fee           Payment can be made by either:   

1.     Direct deposit

         BSB 062 502 Account 00901131 Commonwealth Bank.

       PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR SURNAME and XX (tutor initials) in Reference box. 

2.   Cheque or Money Order

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR SURNAME and XX (tutor initials) ON MONEY ORDER

Mail to     Ballina Art Society INC.  P.O.  Box 1475   Ballina, NSW 2478

Need more information - Call Cecily 0435835102