This workshop invites students to reimagine abstract florals painted alla prima in Oils.

About this workshop

Students will embrace the unpredictability of the process, loosening control and allowing the painting to guide us. Through palette knife techniques, layered textures, and bold colour stories, participants will explore semi-abstract approaches that bring out their unique artistic voice.

What will I learn?

Working from a reference image provided, students will focus on capturing the essence of our subject in a single session, using dynamic brushwork, expressive colour choices, and confident mark-making to create fresh, immediate, and emotionally engaging work.

• Develop palette knife skills to create bold marks, texture, and movement
• Explore alla prima techniques, working wet-on-wet for immediacy and energy
• Experiment with layering techniques to create depth and richness
• Understand colour storytelling to strengthen the emotional impact of their work
• Let go of control, embrace risk, and paint intuitively

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for all skill levels.

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What do I need to bring?

Stretched Canvas:

• Bring two (one for each day) Approximately 60cm x 60cm up to 1m x 1m. A size that you are comfortable to work with. Gesso primed and ready to go.
• If you are flying to the workshop, we recommend an unstretched canvas.

Palette knives:

• 1 x Large Straight-Edge Palette Knife preferred approx. 7.5cm in length
• 1 x packet of 4 assorted Craftright scrapers from Bunnings

Suggested Brushes:

• 2 x Size 12 (25mm) Square Flat Hog Hair Brushes
• 1 x Size 6 Round Hog Hair Brush
• rigger/liner synthetic brush
• Any other paints or brushes you wish to bring

Suggested Oil colours:

• Titanium White
• Phthalo Blue
• Permanent Magenta
• Cadmium Scarlet or Spectrum Red
• Australian Red Gold
• Cadmium Yellow Light or Lemon Yellow
• Lamp black

Mediums and Solvents

• A tube of Langridge impasto medium 150ml (optional for thick texture)
• Minimum 100ml of art spectrum odourless solvent and a container with lid to dispense it
• Mineral Turps to clean brushes

Other Items:

• Roll of Viva paper towel or chux rags
• Small rubbish Bag
• Apron
• Vase with either plastic or fresh flowers or your own printed images or ipad/laptop image
  or choose from Todd's images of flowers

What is provided?

• Easels, tables and chairs.
• Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

About the Tutor

Todd is the Winner of the Lethbridge Landscape Prize 2022.  He is a very successful Australian Modern Impressionist Artist whose work is uninhibited yet connected, which has emerged from his passion for Plein air and Alla Prima painting.
His recent work has developed markedly, taking an abstract approach that continues to reflect his skill in traditional techniques yet has enabled him to communicate more than a visual representation and has elevated his passion and vision to another level of skill and perception.

Todd works with both Oils and Acrylic

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

Offering:

Morning classes with Ai Shah

Evening classes with 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 is also available online with lifetime access HD videos for those that cannot attend our in studio classes in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.

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.

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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.

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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

About this workshop

Develop your watercolour skills in this comprehensive 6-week foundation course, open to all levels of experience. 

By the end of the course, students will have a strong foundation in watercolour painting, equipped to approach subjects with both technical skill and personal expression.

What will I learn?

Guided by experienced artist and teacher Kerry Daley, students will build a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of watercolour. 

Each week combines demonstrations, structured exercises and individual guidance to help students refine their skills and explore a variety of watercolour methods.

The 6 week course emphasises techniques such as:

• Colour mixing
• Applying washes
• Layering
• Transparency and control of pigment and water.
• Developing brush control
• Mastering essential watercolour techniques
• Gaining confidence as a painter, enabling students to make creative decisions with clarity and intention.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

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Bonus Opportunity: For those eager to extend their creative journey, join us in Kerry's upcoming gouache workshops or 6 week gouache painting course!

What is provided?

Access to all art materials to use in the studio will be provided

• A3 and A4 watercolour paper 300g, rough, hot pressed and cold pressed (a variety)
• Gummed watercolour tape, Boards for stretching the paper, sponges
• Blue painters tape
• Pencil and rubber
• Watercolour brushes – round: small medium and large
• Watercolour paint: Lemon Yellow, New Gamboge, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light (or Scarlet Lake), Ultramarine Blue, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna,
• Palette (ceramic plate or other)
• Paper towel
• Water containers (2 each)

What else is provided

• Tea, coffee and biscuits (bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarte art community

About the Tutor

Kerry Daley is a visual artist and tutor based in Brisbane, Australia. She holds a Fine Arts degree with majors in Drawing and Art History, and a Higher Diploma in Education. Kerry maintains an active professional practice across multiple disciplines including drawing, painting, and ceramics, with a strong focus on technical skill, craftsmanship, and disciplined studio practice.

With extensive teaching experience, Kerry is known for her clear, structured, and supportive approach to instruction. Her teaching prioritises skill development, confident decision-making, and a deep understanding of materials. She helps students build both technical ability and independence in their practice. Her personal work explores themes of identity, environment, and the relationship between the natural and the constructed, informing a teaching approach that is grounded, thoughtful, and practical.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

Do you find it hard to devote time to your painting practice?
Do you get stuck with a painting and don’t know where to take it next?
Do you have technical questions about your painting?
Are you looking for a group of likeminded artists to paint with?

The Painting Practice course provides:

• uninterrupted time to focus on your own work in a studio setting
• an expert tutor to help you extend your skills
• a small group of passionate likeminded artists

What will I learn?

Everything you need to know to complete your own painting project.

Who is this course suitable for?

Those who have completed Foundation in Oils and ‘Gain Confidence in Oils’ courses, or who have the equivalent skills and experience.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your painting materials with you. Limited art supplies are available for purchase at the studio if you need a top up.

Please bring odourless solvent only and avoid any strong smelling mediums.

What is provided?

• easels
• backing boards
• chairs
• tables
• tea and coffee (please bring your own mug)
• a friendly and supportive environment
• connection to the Bienarte art community.

About the tutor.

Bronwyn enjoys the challenge of taking ordinary, everyday scenes and interpreting them in her own inimitable and increasingly widely recognised style. Working in oils on canvas, she loves to explore the technique of chiaroscuro.

Bronwyn has recently returned to still life painting, while continuing to explore the detail found in leaf litter and textures in the urban world. She is drawn to the unique beauty found in ordinary settings. This direction suits her technique and eye for detail.

Born in Brisbane and trained at the Brisbane College of Art, Bronwyn worked professionally in the art field for more than 25 years, starting as a graphic artist and moving on to exhibition design and illustration.

In 2012 Bronwyn was invited to be represented by the Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington, Brisbane after winning first prize in the Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Awards. She exhibits a new collection of works there each year.

Her paintings are held in a number of private collections, in Australia and overseas.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs