About this workshop

Join award winning artist Todd Whisson, who will show you how to  loosen up, create a freshness in your work or simply find your own style.

What will I learn?

Todd will demonstrate and guide you through subject choice, composition, unique palette knife techniques and how to get freshness in your painting through design, value and colour.

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 canvases  (one for each day) up to 60cm x 60cm. 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

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 in both Oils and Acrylic

"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.

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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

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NEW! Offering Graphite pencil and Coloured pencil options.

Bienarté is now offering new morning mentoring sessions with Kerry Daley, designed for artists with a basic understanding of drawing who would like to further develop their skills and build confidence in a friendly and supportive environment. Offering graphite and coloured pencil personal projects.

These sessions provide the flexibility to work on your own artistic goals while receiving personalised guidance, feedback and encouragement from an experienced tutor. Whether you are looking to strengthen your observational skills, improve proportion and perspective, refine your shading techniques, or tackle more complex subjects, Kerry will help you progress at a pace that suits you.

Perfect for artists with some drawing experience who are looking to continue their learning journey, these mentoring sessions offer the ideal balance of independent practice and expert tuition. Work on projects that interest you, strengthen your technical skills, and gain valuable insights tailored to your individual needs and artistic aspirations.

With a focus on your choice of either graphite pencil or coloured pencil developing strong drawing foundations and building confidence through regular practice, these sessions provide a supportive environment in which to grow as an artist while exploring your own creative interests.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, including those that are not able to draw a stick figure!

What do I need to bring?

Just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!

If choosing graphite drawing, please bring with you drawing paper and drawing pencils eg  2H, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B and a 30cm ruler

If choosing coloured pencils, please bring a good quality range with you and drawing paper

We have available a selection of graphite drawing materials to purchase and drawing paper

What 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 arts educator 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

Suitable for artists working in traditional oils or water-soluble oils.

Choose your class

• Monday Morning — 8 weeks, 12 Oct–30 Nov, 9:30am–1:00pm
• Tuesday Evening — 4 weeks, 10 Nov–1 Dec, 6:00–9:00pm

 

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.

 

Lars Vester

Lars Vester is a Danish born artist living in Brisbane, working predominantly in the medium of oils.

Upon graduating from the Aarhus Art Academy in Denmark, he completed his studies via an Apprenticeship of Art Direction, Graphic Design and Illustration at The Masters Group, Denmark.

Lars’s work is often constructed from memory and his impression of the environment, with a particular focus on expressing the moment through the ephemeral qualities of colour and light.

Lars has had a number of successful exhibitions in both Europe and Australia, including various solo, group and Award Shows.  

His work is represented in several private and corporate collections around the globe.

 

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs