Join Sydney-based  artist Zoe Sernack for a two day workshop exploring contemporary approaches to landscape through drawing, painting, collage, layering and stencil techniques.

Inspired by Australian landscape, Zoe will guide participants through a process of observation, experimentation and abstract, encouraging artists to develop a personal responses to place. Through a combination structured exercises and creative exploration, participants will learn how to simplify, edit and transform landscape imagery into dynamic artworks.

Working from their own reference images, students will investigate composition, colour, texture, mark-making and surface development. Emphasis will be placed on building layered works that balance spontaneity with thoughtful decision.

Zoe’s workshops provide a supportive and engaging environment suitable for artists to refresh their practice, explore new techniques or deepen their understanding of abstraction.

About the Workshop

Day 1: Gathering Ideas and Exploring

The workshop begins with a series of drawing and mark-making exercises designed to loosen up observation and encourage experimentation. Participants will work with collage, stencils and mixed media processes to investigate shape, line, texture and composition inspired by the botanicals and landscape.  

Day 2: Developing Paintings on Wooden boards

Building on the previous day’s explorations, participants will develop works on wood boards, using layering, painting and stencil techniques. Zoe will provide individual guidance on composition, colour, surface development and refining abstract responses to landscape.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have completed a series of studies and have a substantial amount that will reflect a unique interpretation of place. These works will be a starting point to understanding  new process that can be carried on after the workshop.

What will I learn?

These classes build on each student's existing painting experience, helping them refine their skills and develop their own unique artistic style. With personalised one-on-one support, participants will gain confidence in creating dynamic landscape paintings. The workshop offers a supportive and immersive environment that encourages both technical growth and individual creative expression.

• Fundamentals of composition
• How to identify compelling subjects and create strong visual foundations for successful paintings
• Colour mixing
• Understanding tonal values
• Layering techniques with paint
• Expressive mark-making

Who is this course suitable for?

Students from some basic experience to advanced are welcome.

{image name:"ZS1"}

What do I need to bring?

Acrylic Paint 

(quantities that one can afford or have at home)

A mixture of Impasto paint (more of these) and Acrylic Flow. If you like a lot of texture Impasto medium is good to double paint) Solid Solutions have just come out with a “artist professional” line of paint that seem friendly on the wallet.

• White....lots more white than other paint is important.
• Burnt Sienna/Burnt Umber
• “Warm” yellow
• “Cool” yellow
• “Warm” red
• “Cool” red
• “Warm” blue
• “Cool” blue
• (Pewter, Australian ghost gum and paynes grey, hookers green if possible)
• Please choose colours that suit you

Boards

• At least 2 x 30cm birch boards. No larger than 40cm.
• 2 minimum Riot.com.au have cheap one can be square or rectangle

Other Materials

• A4 Visual Diary, Acid Free 125gsm+
• Faber Castel 4 pitt Artist pens black
• A range of ‘hard working’ acrylic brushes – fine to 8cm
• Spatula for mixing paint
• White Poscas 3M & 5M
• PVA glue
• A3 size flat palette - can be a piece of hard plastic
• Scissors and Stanley knife
• 5 x A3 card to cut out shapes or stencil work as well as base card for collage work ( this can even be cereal boxes)
• Masking Tape, the green frog tape of the cheaper cream one. Please no blue masking tape. 36mm wide no thinner. (bunning deluxe one is a good one)
• Cleaning rags
• Water holder to clean brushes

What is provided?

• Table easels and chairs
• A friendly and supportive environment
• Connection to the Bienarte art community.

About Zoe Sernack

Zoe Sernack is a Sydney-based artist whose practice explores the Australian landscape through abstraction, memory and materiality. Drawing inspiration from native bushland and parks surrounding her, she creates richly layered works that reflect a deep connection to place.

Working primarily on timber panels, Zoe combines painting, carving, drawing and collage-like processes to build textured surfaces that evoke the rhythms, patterns and subtle details of the natural world. Her works are informed by direct observation, field sketches and an enduring fascination with the way landscape is experienced, remembered and reinterpreted over time.

A graduate of the National Art School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Zoe has maintained a dedicated studio practice for almost three decades. Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and selected as a finalist in numerous respected art prizes, including the Salon des Refusés, Fisher's Ghost Art Award, Hornsby Art Prize, Gosford Art Prize, Into the Light Art Award and the Lethbridge Landscape Prize.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

"Anyone can paint if they are given the right instructions.” - Marcel Desbiens, Master Artist and Principal Tutor

This is a Brisbane Course,  led by Ai Shah 

If you have never picked up a paintbrush before, this course will give you the technical skills and knowledge to help fast-track your painting process and produce stunning works of art of your own. All in a friendly and supportive environment.

All materials are included. All you need to do is turn up!

What will I learn?

• how to set up your workstation to minimise mess and maximise your painting time
• understand basic principles of colour mixing and paint consistency
• learn how to control tone to create the optical illusion of reality
• how to choose the right brushes and develop effective brush techniques
• how to clean and care for your brushes
• learn to paint in the traditional glazing techniques of the old masters

In each class, your tutor will give a step-by-step demonstration, and then it’s your turn for hands-on painting exercises. Each exercise builds on the previous one so that each week your skills and confidence will grow a little more.

Who is this course suitable for?

This foundation course is perfect for absolute beginners or for those who want to brush up on the fundamental techniques of oil painting. 90% of students who enrol in this course either have never picked up a paintbrush or have minimal painting experience. However, others who have painted before have also come along and found that they learned so much more about oil painting techniques.

The Foundation in Oils course is a prerequisite for the Gain Confidence in Oils course.

If travel time is an issue for you, consider the Live Online Via Zoom workshop that runs in a similar way but without your needing to leave your home!

And if fixed learning times are an issue for you, consider the Self-Paced Learning | Foundations in Oils course that has easy-to-follow videos for you to watch at a time to suit you.

The Course has been designed by Marcel Desbiens and is also available online with lifetime access HD videos for those that cannot attend our in studio classes in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.

{image name:"GalleryImage_FoundationsInOils" align:"centre" caption:"Images from previous Foundations In Oils Courses"}

What do I need to bring?

• An old large towel to cover your table
• A notebook and pen are optional for note-taking
• Apron (Bienarte Aprons are available for purchase from our on-site shop)

What is provided

All the materials you will need for this course will be provided, including:

• prepared paper for painting exercises by a master artist.
• PDF booklet, packed with painting tips and tricks.
• Free professional-quality oil colours
• Free pack of paint brushes
• Access to reference photos to practice at home.
• Tables, chairs, easels
• Tea and coffee (bring your own mug)
• A friendly and supportive environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community.

Receive a FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours!

Receive a FREE PACK of Paint brushes!

Oil Painting Starter Kits also available for enrolled students

Once enrolled, every student will receive their FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours as well as their pack of brushes.
To practice at home, we have made it easy for you by putting together an Oil Painting Starter Kits which contains everything you will need to get started! Save time and money and pick up your art pack.

To purchase, see further below under "Related Products" and click on "Oil Painting Starter Kits" and "click "Buy Now"
You can also view all items that are included.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

What Our Students Say About Foundations in Oils

"A great art course! Highly recommended for beginners or those that want to learn more skills. I did the 8-week oil painting course and was surprised with the quality produced by the class (including myself : ). A great teacher. Well-paced and a good atmosphere. Paint on!"

• Mark Allen, Bienarte regular student

"Anyone can paint if they are given the right instructions.” - Marcel Desbiens, Master Artist and Principal Tutor

This is a Landsborough Course, led by Marcel Desbiens

If you have never picked up a paintbrush before, this course will give you the technical skills and knowledge to help fast-track your painting process and produce stunning works of art of your own. All in a friendly and supportive environment.

The Course has been designed by Marcel Desbiens and has been developed over the years by the team including Ai Shah and Ros Danka.

All materials are included. All you need to do is turn up!

What will I learn?

• how to set up your workstation to minimise mess and maximise your painting time
• understand basic principles of colour mixing and paint consistency
• learn how to control tone to create the optical illusion of reality
• how to choose the right brushes and develop effective brush techniques
• how to clean and care for your brushes
• learn to paint in the traditional glazing techniques of the old masters

In each class, your tutor will give a step-by-step demonstration, and then it’s your turn for hands-on painting exercises. Each exercise builds on the previous one so that each week your skills and confidence will grow a little more.

{image name:"FIO3"}

Who is this course suitable for?

This foundation course is perfect for absolute beginners or for those who want to brush up on the fundamental techniques of oil painting. 90% of students who enrol in this course either have never picked up a paintbrush or have minimal painting experience. However, others who have painted before have also come along and found that they learned so much more about oil painting techniques.

The Foundation in Oils course is a prerequisite for the Gain Confidence in Oils course.

If travel time is an issue for you, consider the Live Online Via Zoom workshop that runs in a similar way but without your needing to leave your home!

And if fixed learning times are an issue for you, consider the Self-Paced Learning | Foundations in Oils course that has easy-to-follow videos for you to watch at a time to suit you.

What do I need to bring?

• An old large towel to cover your table
• A notebook and pen are optional for note-taking
• Apron (Bienarte Aprons are available for purchase from our on-site shop)

What is provided

All the materials you will need for this course will be provided, including:

• prepared paper for painting exercises by a master artist.
• Digital Certificate of Attendance.
• PDF booklet, packed with painting tips and tricks.
• Free professional-quality oil colours
• Free pack of paint brushes
• Access to reference photos to practice at home.
• Tables, chairs, easels
• Tea and coffee (bring your own mug)
• A friendly and supportive environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community.

Receive a FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours!

Receive a FREE PACK of Paint brushes!

Oil Painting Starter Kits also available for enrolled students

Once enrolled, every student will receive their FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours as well as their pack of brushes.
To practice at home, we have made it easy for you by putting together an Oil Painting Starter Kits which contains everything you will need to get started! Save time and money and pick up your art pack.

To purchase, see further below under "Related Products" and click on "Oil Painting Starter Kits" and "click "Buy Now"
You can also view all items that are included.

What Our Students Say About Foundations in Oils

"A great art course! Highly recommended for beginners or those that want to learn more skills. I did the 8-week oil painting course and was surprised with the quality produced by the class (including myself : ). A great teacher. Well-paced and a good atmosphere. Paint on!"

• Mark Allen, Bienarte regular student

{image name:"GalleryImage_FoundationsInOils" align:"centre" caption:"Images from previous Foundations In Oils Courses"}

About this workshop

Immerse yourself in the wonderful medium of acrylic painting.

Enjoy learning more about this wonderful art form with guidance and teaching through painting seascapes with energy.

Using photographs as his muse, Craig will show you how to achieve a modern, fairly loose and Expressionist painting.

You will be encouraged to complete 2 paintings over the course of the weekend, one per day, both 76x61cm (30"x24"). You will complete a third, smaller, painting (no more than 46x61cm (18"x24") within a 1 hour deadline! This will be for fun and just to help you loosen up your style under Craig's guidance.

Please note, you must prime your canvases in a very pale blue in advance of the workshop.

Craig will provide printed photos to work from.

{image name:"CP12"}

Who is this workshop suitable for?

Artists with any level of experience, including beginners, are welcome in this workshop.

What do I need to bring?

Canvases: 
Two 76x61cm (30"x24")
One 46x61cm (18"x24")
Please prime your canvases in a very pale blue in advance of the workshop. 

Brushes: 
A range of fine to broad brushes 

Acrylic Paint:
Suggested Matisse Colours - Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red, Primary Yellow, Sky Blue, Australian Sienna, Titanium White, Olive Green, Permanent Light Violet, Australian Blue gum, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna 

Other:
Acrylic Palettes 
Spray Bottle 
Something to draw with 
Palette knife 
Impasto Medium, Gel Medium 
Water Bucket 
Rags 
Drop Sheet

Please bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by.

What is provided?

• tea, coffee (please bring your own cup)
• a friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• connection to the Bienarté art community

About the Tutor

Craig studied art at Federation University, where painting and graphic design attracted most of his attention. Craig pursued a successful career as an illustrator in the advertising industry and became a member of the Illustrators' Association of Australia.

His career has progressed into a range of mediums. As a result, Craig has also undertaken a successful career in teaching traditional drawing and illustration at both Victoria University and Swinburne University. Throughout this time, Craig never lost his love of using traditional methods and now specialises in watercolour and acrylic painting. This has led to an extremely successful solo career.