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IMG_9458.JPG

Thursday Morning Painting and Drawing Term 4

$600.00

Time – 10am-1.30pm, 8weeks, 28 hours total
Dates –Thursday 15th October - 3rd December, 2026


This painting class is for beginners and for students who are more experienced who would like to develop their painting skills while developing their own painting style. Professional artist and experienced tutor Ochre Lawson will lead students in structured classes that explore different concepts and techniques inspired by historical and contemporary artists. A range of subject matter will be explored including still life, the landscape, interior, figure, portraiture, abstraction and expressionistic concepts with opportunity for students to work on their own projects and interests if they wish. Only 3 subjects will be explored in any one term and over a year most subjects will be covered. Once or twice a year depending on interest levels, we may have a live model at which point student will be asked to contribute toward the cost of the model. Sometimes, we may also do an en plein air day working from nature, or have an excursion to the art gallery to draw from paintings or sculptures.

Students may use oil or acrylic paints in this relaxing and supportive class.

Time – 10am-1.30pm, 8weeks, 28 hours total
Dates –Thursday 15th October - 3rd December, 2026


This painting class is for beginners and for students who are more experienced who would like to develop their painting skills while developing their own painting style. Professional artist and experienced tutor Ochre Lawson will lead students in structured classes that explore different concepts and techniques inspired by historical and contemporary artists. A range of subject matter will be explored including still life, the landscape, interior, figure, portraiture, abstraction and expressionistic concepts with opportunity for students to work on their own projects and interests if they wish. Only 3 subjects will be explored in any one term and over a year most subjects will be covered. Once or twice a year depending on interest levels, we may have a live model at which point student will be asked to contribute toward the cost of the model. Sometimes, we may also do an en plein air day working from nature, or have an excursion to the art gallery to draw from paintings or sculptures.

Students may use oil or acrylic paints in this relaxing and supportive class.

    • Learn how to set up a palette, about brushes, mediums and clean up for both oil and acrylic

    • Learn about composition and drawing compositional sketches

    • Drawing skills in both charcoal and watercolour and some collage

    • Learn to mix tone and colour in paint 

    • Fundamental colour theory

    • Learn how to create depth through both linear and arial perspective

    • Learn different approaches to paint application and brush mark (wet in wet, building thicker paint layers (impasto), glazing with transparent colours and more)

    • Take inspiration from a range of historical and contemporary artists and their approach to painting

    • Explore different subject including Still life, Portraits, Interiors, en plein air painting – natural and urban landscape and many others.

  • Art materials are not included in the class fee. Students will need to bring the following items:

    • One canvas, canvas paper or board to paint for the first class (these are called ‘supports’). Minimum 12” x16". This may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop. You will need 3 canvases for the term.

    • An A4 art journal, willow charcoal/charcoal pencil and rubber for sketching out ideas (or some cartridge paper)

    • A selection of 3-4 filbert or flat brushes small, medium and large size. Hogs hair brushes are best, don’t buy soft brushes. 

    • A rectangle plastic or wooden palette (No smaller than A3 size), Don’t buy ones with wells - these are for watercolour and are terrible to mix on. You can also use a piece of perspex, or glass.

    • Metal Palette Knife Diamond shaped. CLick here Don’t buy plastic.

    • Rags, Apron

    • Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on preference.

    • Matisse Brand ‘Studio’ paint is a medium body student quality Acrylic paint and the most economical. Matisse Brand ‘Structure’ paint is a thicker artist quality paint. Do not buy flow. (Matisse is an Australian made product)

    • Art Spectrum and Langridge make reasonably priced quality oil paints and are also made in Australia. Windsor and Newtown are also fine.

    The most basic pigments to bring to the first class are, (75ml is enough to start):

    • Ultramarine Blue 

    • Burnt Sienna

    • Cadmium Yellow hue, or Primary/mid yellow, or Arylide yellow in oils

    • Titanium White 

    You can buy the below pigments later:

    • Phthalo Blue

    • Burnt Umber

    • Alizarin red or Crimson

    • Cadmium red hue or Vermillion or Warm Red

    • Ochre Yellow

    • Diarylide yellow in oils

    • A general medium for acrylics, Matisse MM9 Painting Medium is good.

    Please buy ‘student quality’ paints (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Art Spectrum oils are good, reasonably priced brands). Its better to buy less and better quality paint than a lot of cheap paint. 

    If using Oil Paints: 

    You will need odourless solvent for cleanup and mixing mediums. We recommend ‘Gamsol’ by Gamblin. This is the least toxic solvent on the market and the same price as other odourless solvents. Solvents MUST be odourless. Oil painting solvents and mediums must not be tipped down the sinks. You will need to bring 2 small jars with lids to take away spent solvents/mediums. Spent solvents/mediums must be taken with you and not left in the hall. Your tutor will give you information on reusing and disposing of spent solvents and mediums. You need to clean oil brushes at home. If you want to save paint bring some glad wrap to put over your pallet.

    You do not need medium for your first lesson. For oils we will mix our own medium of 1/3 refined linseed oil, 1/3 stand oil and 1/3 solvent. You do not need to buy pre mixed mediums. If you want to please buy Gamblins range of non toxic mediums so you don’t stink the class out!

    Art supply stores

  • Ochre Lawson is a university trained professional artist with over 17 years experience as a painting and drawing tutor. Ochre works with students at their own level and pace and encourages them to discover their own interests and style in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere.

    • Toilets with disabled access, hall also has disabled access

    • Easels and backing boards

    • Tables, drop sheets

    • Some source material

    • Kitchen facilities with fridge, microwave, coffee/tea, milk, mugs