Choose either a one day or two day workshop.

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:

• Attending a one day workshop -  bring one canvas up to 60cm x 60cm. A size that you are comfortable to work with. Gesso primed and ready to go.
• Attending a two day workshop - 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

About this workshop

Immerse yourself in the wonderful medium of acrylic painting.

Enjoy learning more about this wonderful art form with guidance and teaching through painting landscapes with energy.

Using photographs as his muse, Craig will show you how to achieve a modern, fairly loose and Expressionist painting.

You will be encouraged to complete 2 paintings over the course of the weekend, one per day, both 76x61cm (30"x24"). You will complete a third, smaller, painting (no more than 46x61cm (18"x24") within a 1 hour deadline! This will be for fun and just to help you loosen up your style under Craig's guidance.

Please note, you must prime your canvases in a very pale blue in advance of the workshop.

Craig will provide printed photos of the landscapes to work from.

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Who is this workshop suitable for?

Artists with any level of experience, including beginners, are welcome in this workshop.

What do I need to bring?

Canvases: 
Two 76x61cm (30"x24")
One 46x61cm (18"x24")
Please prime your canvases in a very pale blue in advance of the workshop. 

Brushes: 
A range of fine to broad brushes 

Acrylic Paint:
Suggested Matisse Colours - Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red, Primary Yellow, Sky Blue, Australian Sienna, Titanium White, Olive Green, Permanent Light Violet, Australian Blue gum, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna

Other: 
Acrylic Palettes 
Spray Bottle 
Something to draw with 
Palette knife 
Impasto Medium, Gel Medium 
Water Bucket 
Rags 
Drop Sheet 

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

What is provided?

• tea, coffee (please bring your own cup)
• a friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• connection to the Bienarté art community

About the Tutor

Craig studied art at Federation University, where painting and graphic design attracted most of his attention. Craig pursued a successful career as an illustrator in the advertising industry and became a member of the Illustrators' Association of Australia.

His career has progressed into a range of mediums. As a result, Craig has also undertaken a successful career in teaching traditional drawing and illustration at both Victoria University and Swinburne University. Throughout this time, Craig never lost his love of using traditional methods and now specialises in watercolour and acrylic painting. This has led to an extremely successful solo career.

About this workshop

Immerse yourself in the wonderful medium of acrylic painting.

Enjoy learning more about this wonderful art form with guidance and teaching through painting seascapes with energy.

Using photographs as his muse, Craig will show you how to achieve a modern, fairly loose and Expressionist painting.

You will be encouraged to complete 2 paintings over the course of the weekend, one per day, both 76x61cm (30"x24"). You will complete a third, smaller, painting (no more than 46x61cm (18"x24") within a 1 hour deadline! This will be for fun and just to help you loosen up your style under Craig's guidance.

Please note, you must prime your canvases in a very pale blue in advance of the workshop.

Craig will provide printed photos to work from.

{image name:"CP12"}

Who is this workshop suitable for?

Artists with any level of experience, including beginners, are welcome in this workshop.

What do I need to bring?

Canvases: 
Two 76x61cm (30"x24")
One 46x61cm (18"x24")
Please prime your canvases in a very pale blue in advance of the workshop. 

Brushes: 
A range of fine to broad brushes 

Acrylic Paint:
Suggested Matisse Colours - Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red, Primary Yellow, Sky Blue, Australian Sienna, Titanium White, Olive Green, Permanent Light Violet, Australian Blue gum, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna 

Other:
Acrylic Palettes 
Spray Bottle 
Something to draw with 
Palette knife 
Impasto Medium, Gel Medium 
Water Bucket 
Rags 
Drop Sheet

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

What is provided?

• tea, coffee (please bring your own cup)
• a friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• connection to the Bienarté art community

About the Tutor

Craig studied art at Federation University, where painting and graphic design attracted most of his attention. Craig pursued a successful career as an illustrator in the advertising industry and became a member of the Illustrators' Association of Australia.

His career has progressed into a range of mediums. As a result, Craig has also undertaken a successful career in teaching traditional drawing and illustration at both Victoria University and Swinburne University. Throughout this time, Craig never lost his love of using traditional methods and now specialises in watercolour and acrylic painting. This has led to an extremely successful solo career.

Unlock the vibrant world of still life painting in this immersive two-day acrylic workshop with award winning artist and tutor 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) - You can also borrow from Bienarte
• A3 cartridge pad
• A3 trace pad
• Varnish - universal medium/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.

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