Watercolour for Beginners | James McKay
About the workshop
Designed for beginners, this two-day workshop will introduce students to watercolour, with a focus on landscape and seascape painting. Students will complete multiple paintings while being guided by James's hands on teaching method, with plenty of demonstrations, explanations and discussions along the way.
What will I learn?
- Understand colour mixing.
- How to create the effect of light with use of colour play.
- Most of the exercises will be centred around producing small landscape paintings. You will also produce some larger landscape/seascape paintings.
Who is this workshop suitable for?
This workshop is suited to those who have had little or no experience with watercolour or would like a good grounding and understanding of the basics.
What do I need to bring?
Use of all painting materials will be available.
Please bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by.
What is provided?
- Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
- A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
- Connection to the Bienarté art community
About the Tutor
James was born and spent most of his life on a farm in Africa where he started to paint scenes from the farm and African life. Some 20 years ago he moved to make Australia his home, and fell in love with the Australian landscape, particularly old farms, the warm soft colours and the light. This inspired him to paint more seriously.
He has been painting in watercolour for over 25 years and has been exhibiting in galleries throughout Australia and Southern Africa for the 10 years. He has won a number of awards in and around South East Queensland and has also been teaching and holding workshops for a number of years.
There is something about the Australia rural landscape that he finds particularly captivating – “I find the play of light on old fences, gum trees, old sheds and livestock quite irresistible”.
He paints loosely in watercolour using wet into wet techniques “the faster I work, the more feeling the painting has”. He does a lot of his work on site and is passionate about painting in the great outdoors.
He loves to share his joy of painting with others and has always started and run painting groups wherever he has spent any time.
<h3 id="header-about-the-workshop">About the workshop</h3>
<p>Designed for beginners, this two-day workshop will introduce students to watercolour, with a focus on landscape and seascape painting.
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Site Directions
Phone: 07 3262 1808 or 0409 641 426
Email: team@bienarte.com.au
*Studio address: 15 Nariel St, Albion, Brisbane, Queensland 4010
Office Hours:
*Monday to Wednesday* 9am – 5pm
*Thursday, *Friday,Saturday & Sunday by appointment only
closed public holidays
Our Studios
Our art studios are located in a large warehouse space which occupies approx 4000sqm of the building. This consists of a main teaching space and a gallery/teaching space.
It is conveniently located just north of the CBD, near the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel and the beautiful Brisbane River.
The Bienarté Art Studios are on street level (very important when you are working on larger pieces or carrying heavy art materials), with soaring 5-metre ceilings and an enormous roller door to let in plenty of light and ventilation.
The ‘vibe’ of the building is always buzzing with creativity, encouragement and energy as our art studio space has developed into an arts precinct with photographers, graphic designers and web developers also working from the Nariel Street building.
Student and Tutor Gallery Space
We invite our past/present students, and tutors to display some of their work at our art studio. This is a wonderfully inspiring backdrop for everyone who wishes to improve their creative art skills, plus it provides exposure for emerging artists when we meet with commercial art gallery owners and members of the public who visit the art studio from time to time.
Public Transport
Getting Here By Car
The studios are a 10 min drive from the city at the beginning of Sandgate Rd on the corner of Sandgate Rd and Nariel Street, Albion. We are easily accessible from the Inner City Bypass, Clem 7 and Legacy Way tunnels.
Parking
There is private off-street parking at the rear of the building – you will see the gates leading into a triangular, grassed area on the corner of Nariel St and Sandgate Rd. Parking spaces are readily available outside of business hours. However, if you are attending a weekday class or workshop, parking can be limited. If the carpark is full, paid parking is also available in the surrounding streets. Alternative modes of transport are recommended on weekdays until 5pm.
Other Information
Getting Here By Public Transport
The closest bus stop is Stop 15 on Sandgate Rd at Yowoggera Park and is about a 5 minute walk from the studio.
Bowen Hills train station and Albion Station are approximately a 20 minute walk from the studio. Check https://translink.com.au/ for further details.
We are also perfectly positioned near the Breakfast Creek cycle path that connects to the New Farm River Walk for those who prefer to walk or cycle here.
Sessions
| When | Time | Where | Session Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8 Mar 2025 | 9:30am - 4pm (UTC+10:00) | Studio A - Bienarté |15 Nariel Street, Albion | |
| Sun 9 Mar 2025 | 9:30am - 4pm (UTC+10:00) | Studio A - Bienarté |15 Nariel Street, Albion |