ANNOUNCEMENTS

Having already nurtured the development of over 15,000 new artists, Bienarté is offering a series of
Life Drawing Workshops throughout 2024.

Starting Soon

• • Abstract Painting with Acrylic, Texture & Glaze | Kerry Rushton

    Join Kerry Rushton in this action packed abstract painting workshop as you feel your way through her playful layering process. Kerry has been honing this layering processes in her own professional practice, liking to ‘mix it up’ and find new ways to evolve as an artist. Her supportive and demonstrative tutoring will give you the tools you need to keep experimenting and find what feels right to you. 

    What will I learn?

    In this hands on workshop, you will work on multiple pieces at a time as you build up your work throughout the day and take home with you a sense of play and curiosity.

    • Different ways of applying texture, acrylic paint, glaze, crayons and use of sandpaper.
    • How to apply composition and value among the chaos 
    • Small exercises to build colour combinations and utilise shades and tints

    Being a one day workshop, you may or may not completely finish a piece, this can depend on the size of your canvas (or board). 

    Who is this course suitable for?

    This workshop welcomes beginners through to experienced, although some understanding of using paints and brushes is essential.

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    What do I need to bring?

    Canvas and Boards:

    • Bring between 2 and 5 of these to work on multiple pieces at once You can work on canvas or board. 
    • Min. 30 x 30cm to Max. 60 x 60cm.
    • Boards can be cradle mount, MDF or plywood. If bringing MDF or plywood, please prime on both sides prior.

    Acrylic Paints:

    • In a variety of colours including old pots or house paint
    • Must have Burnt Umber

    Medium:

    • Bring a minimum 250ml of clear painting medium or glaze medium (used for glazing)

    Brushes, Sponges and Mark Making Items:

    • Bring an assortment of brushes, small to large, flat to round. (Please see photo example below).
    • Sponges - sea sponge and/or handled sponge
    • An assortment of mark making items. (Please see photo example below)

    Sanding Equipment:

    Kerry will bring two electric sanders for you all to use, please bring hand sanding equipment as well:

    • 1 x piece of 60grit sandpaper
    • 1 x piece of 120grit sandpaper
    • 1 x sanding block

    Other Materials:

    • Masking tape - anything between 24mm to 48mm
    • 550g Calcite (Marble dust). (not essential) 
    • Stencils if you have them. (Please see photo example below)
    • Hairdryer

    Bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by. 

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    What is provided?

    • Easels 
    • Chairs 
    • Tables
    • Cardboard for practice 
    • Tea and coffee (please bring your own mug) 
    • A friendly and supportive environment 
    • Connection to the Bienarté art community
  • Bridging Confidence in Oils | Marcel Desbiens

    New!

    Marcel 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 5 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 Marcel 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.

    Marcel will be encouraging discussion about each student’s work and consider many aspects of interest including painting subject, focal point, message, composition, and style. He will also advise on their own workspace set up at home and talk about how to maintain their practice. 

    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

  • Painting Practice | Bronwyn Searle

    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

  • Watercolour for Beginners | James McKay

    About the workshop

    Designed for the absolute beginner, this two-day workshop will introduce you will be doing some exercises to familiarise ourselves with wet into wet techniques and brushwork. You will play with colour to understand colour and colour mixing and the effects on colour and light. Most of the exercises will be centred around producing small landscape paintings and you will also produce some larger landscape/seascape paintings. James likes to teach using mostly small quick paintings so that a painting that is not working can be restarted or you can move on to a new one. He is also very hands on demonstrating in small steps with plenty of explanation and discussion along the way.

    Who is this workshop suitable for?

    This workshop is suited to those who have had little or no experience with watercolour and or would like a good grounding and understanding of the basics. This workshop is mainly centred around landscape paintings.

    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.

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