Finding Abstraction in Landscape with Acrylics | Zoe Sernack

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.

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 Alicja Gear

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.

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