Ai will be supporting all students to the next level after completing the “Foundation in Oils” and “Gaining Confidence in Oils” classes. This will assist students to paint independently and to feel more comfortable as they develop their practice at home. In 7 weeks, students can do one or more paintings, depending on their own individual progress.  

What will I learn:

All students will bring their own subject to class. Through guidance with their painting progress Ai will be helping them to develop their own voice and to keep working on their paintings in their own space and progress in between classes.

Ai will be encouraging discussion about each student’s work and consider many aspects of interest including painting subject, focal point, message, composition, and style. She will also advise on their own workspace set up at home and talk about how to maintain their practice. Many other aspects of being an artist will be raised in discussion including the use of social media and much more.

As each student improves, the class will be encouraged to observe the progress of their class mates and share ideas. This engenders goodwill, support and friendship.

Your own painting project:

• Choosing the right support from a variety of options (canvas, board, paper, etc)
• The process of composition
• Choosing a subject
• Planning the development stages from beginning to completion of your painting

Who is this course suitable for

While priority is given to students who have completed the 8-week Foundations in Oils course and Oil Painting with Confidence, this course is suitable for anyone with a basic practical understanding of Oil colours and their application

This course is suitable for students who are keen to dedicate a weekly time to paint in a supportive and encouraging environment. This is to encourage all the students who are new to oil and wish to practice and develop their oil painting skills. 

What do I need to bring?

• An old large towel to cover your table
• Oil colours and hog hair paint brushes from Foundations in Oils Course. Art materials also available to purchase if needed.
• 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:

• Digital Certificate of Attendance.
• PDF booklet, packed with painting tips and tricks.
• 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.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

Now that you have acquired the basic knowledge for painting in Oils, it is time to apply those techniques in real time on a subject you might want to paint at home.

The challenge at this stage of your learning is to keep the motivation going and not fall into procrastination.

The best way is to enrol in a further six consecutive weeks to keep the momentum going as it is fresh in your mind. This is the best way to secure enough confidence before flying out of the nest, at home in your own painting space.

Goals

• To complement your acquired learning from the 8-week Foundation in Oils course

• To gain confidence and be ready to paint on your own

What will I learn

Learn the basic technique for painting still life and fabric:

• Painting a subject containing fabric in monochrome
• Opaque and transparent colours
• Applying Oil colour layering and glazing

Starting a new project:

• Choosing the right support from a variety of options (canvas, board, paper, etc)
• The process of composition
• Choosing a subject
• Planning the development stages from beginning to completion of your painting

Content

• Painting a subject containing fabric in monochrome from a photo provided
• Applying colour over the monochrome fabric with glazing
• Learning about varnishing and framing

Who is this course suitable for

This course is suitable for anyone with a basic practical understanding of Oil colours and their application.

Terms & Conditions

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

Unlock the vibrant world of still life painting in this immersive two-day acrylic workshop with award winning artist and instructor David Bongiorno. Designed for beginners and intermediate painters alike, this course will guide you through the essentials of composition, colour mixing and acrylic techniques—from underpainting to finishing touches.

About this workshop

Through a structured mix of demos, exercises and studio practice across two days, students will build a solid foundation in still life painting as they complete their own original work. 

Day 1: Foundations and Colour Studies

• Explore the building blocks of still life: form, light and value
• Learn key composition rules and sketch multiple thumbnails
• Mix acrylics for accurate value scales and colour harmony
• Practice essential brushwork through colour studies

Day 2: Painting Your Still Life

• Create a full still life painting from sketch to completion
• Develop depth with layering, contrast and detail refinement
• Learn how to finish and varnish your painting professionally
• Receive group and individual feedback in a supportive critique session

What will I learn?

• How to build dynamic still life compositions using shapes, lighting and space
• Colour theory and mixing techniques to bring your painting to life
• Acrylic painting methods including layering, glazing, dry brush and blending
• Confidence to approach any still life subject with clarity and creativity!

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suitable for beginners to advanced or those that are looking for a refresher. 

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What do I need to bring?

Acrylic paints

David suggests the following colours

• Titanium White
• Pyrrol Red
• Alizarin Crimson
• Ultramarine Blue
• Yellow Ochre
• Lemon Yellow
• Raw Umber
• Ivory Black
• Burnt Sienna

Brushes

• A variety of filbert brushes (“Neef” brand is good) in sizes 10, 6 and 2
• Filbert hog bristle brushes (2,6,10)

Canvas

• Canvas pad (A4 and A3 recommended)
• A4 and A5 Canvas boards

Palette

• White laminated wooden palette or plastic palette

Other

• Palette knife
• Rags
• Apron
• Pencils HB, 2B
• 5 simple objects no larger than 20cm
• Small cardboard box (40cm H x 50cm W x 40cm D)
• A3 cartridge pad
• A3 trace pad
• Varnish (gloss or satin)

What is provided

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

About the Artist

Award-winning artist, curator and arts mentor David Bongiorno teaches life drawing, anatomy, painting and composition workshops to develop the confidence of contemporary artists. Bongiorno’s national art prize achievements include Emerging Wearable Artist – Winner at the Australian Wearable Art Festival 2022, Highly Commended at the Waterbrook Drawing Prize 2023, Highly Commended at the Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award 2024, Finalist in the Kennedy Art Prize 2024, and ACB Selects, 2024, Michael Reid Northern Beaches. 

He has participated in solo and group exhibitions in venues including Steps Gallery Carlton, The Cooroy Arts Centre, Manning Gallery, Maryborough Gallery, Caloundra Gallery, and Cardinia Cultural Centre, while also undertaking commissions, with works in private and public collections.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs