These courses and workshops run throughout the year. Please get in touch for information on dates and locations.

Colour Mixing and Brush Handling for the Painter- Workshop

Course Description:
In this one-day workshop, we will focus on the technical side of creating a painting. Primarily, we will use colour theory to learn how to mix any colour on your palette. Students will learn how to identify hue, value and chroma when painting and avoid some of the pitfalls of painting like creating ‘mud’ on your palette. In addition, we will examine the different pigments, understanding where they fall on the colour wheel and how and when to properly use them. Students will also learn proper brush handling and techniques including how to create blends, hard and soft edges, glazes, and impasto techniques. Lastly, we will look closely at the materials of painting- understanding the different types and uses of brushes, mediums, varnishes and painting surfaces. Suited for both oil and acrylics, students will gain useful knowledge that can be applied to both representational and abstract forms of painting.


Click here to download the registration form

Classical Drawing

Course Description

Examine the materials and methods used in classical drawing, and learn how to draw in the realist style. Working in silverpoint, charcoal, graphite and coloured chalks, learn how to block in an image and simplify values into light and shadow. Explore different drawing surfaces, including toned paper.

To register for this course, please go to the George Brown College website here.

Realist Painting 1- Still life and Portraiture

Course Description:

These classes focus on realism painting using methods of the Old masters and the Classical Painting Atelier. Students will learn how to create a realistic and luminous painting using underpainting, layering, and glazing techniques. Demonstrations on preparing a canvas/panel, laying out the composition, and creating a value-oriented underpainting will be given. In addition, we will learn valuable knowledge on mixing colours, the simplified portrait palette, and dealing with light and shadow. Students will learn important skills that can be applied to a variety of styles.

* Although this class is more suited for oil painting, you may also choose to work in acrylic.

Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Understand the materials used in Classical Painiting
2. Know how to transfer a drawing for painting
3. Know a variety of underpainting methods. Complete a realistic still life with warm and cool.
5. Complete a realistic still life in full colour.
6. Complete a portrait.

In order to register for a course, please fill out the form and mail it in with your payment.

Click here to download the registration form

Realist Painting 2- Advanced Concepts

Course Description:

A continuation of ‘Realist Painting-Still life’ held in conjunction with Realist Painting 1, this class will give you the opportunity to refine the skills and techniques learned thus far. Students will have the opportunity to paint his or her own painting from a still life set-up or portrait from a photo with individual critiques from the teacher. Some of the topics covered will be composition, trompe l’oeil,  the advanced portrait palette, using colour strings, more advanced colour mixing, the ébauche underpainting, edge control, and more advanced glazing/scumbling techniques.

Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Complete a successful ébauche underpainting
2. Find the local colour using both neutral greys and complimentary colour.
3. Create colour strings
4. Paint a portrait from a photo or life.
5. Incorporate a variety of soft and hard edges in a painting.

Click here to download the registration form