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