"Anyone can paint if they are given the right instructions.” - Marcel Desbiens, Master Artist and Principal Tutor

This is a Landsborough Course, led by Marcel Desbiens

If you have never picked up a paintbrush before, this course will give you the technical skills and knowledge to help fast-track your painting process and produce stunning works of art of your own. All in a friendly and supportive environment.

The Course has been designed by Marcel Desbiens and has been developed over the years by the team including Ai Shah and Ros Danka.

All materials are included. All you need to do is turn up!

What will I learn?

• how to set up your workstation to minimise mess and maximise your painting time
• understand basic principles of colour mixing and paint consistency
• learn how to control tone to create the optical illusion of reality
• how to choose the right brushes and develop effective brush techniques
• how to clean and care for your brushes
• learn to paint in the traditional glazing techniques of the old masters

In each class, your tutor will give a step-by-step demonstration, and then it’s your turn for hands-on painting exercises. Each exercise builds on the previous one so that each week your skills and confidence will grow a little more.

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Who is this course suitable for?

This foundation course is perfect for absolute beginners or for those who want to brush up on the fundamental techniques of oil painting. 90% of students who enrol in this course either have never picked up a paintbrush or have minimal painting experience. However, others who have painted before have also come along and found that they learned so much more about oil painting techniques.

The Foundation in Oils course is a prerequisite for the Gain Confidence in Oils course.

If travel time is an issue for you, consider the Live Online Via Zoom workshop that runs in a similar way but without your needing to leave your home!

And if fixed learning times are an issue for you, consider the Self-Paced Learning | Foundations in Oils course that has easy-to-follow videos for you to watch at a time to suit you.

What do I need to bring?

• An old large towel to cover your table
• 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:

• prepared paper for painting exercises by a master artist.
• Digital Certificate of Attendance.
• PDF booklet, packed with painting tips and tricks.
• Free professional-quality oil colours
• Free pack of paint brushes
• 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.

Receive a FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours!

Receive a FREE PACK of Paint brushes!

Oil Painting Starter Kits also available for enrolled students

Once enrolled, every student will receive their FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours as well as their pack of brushes.
To practice at home, we have made it easy for you by putting together an Oil Painting Starter Kits which contains everything you will need to get started! Save time and money and pick up your art pack.

To purchase, see further below under "Related Products" and click on "Oil Painting Starter Kits" and "click "Buy Now"
You can also view all items that are included.

What Our Students Say About Foundations in Oils

"A great art course! Highly recommended for beginners or those that want to learn more skills. I did the 8-week oil painting course and was surprised with the quality produced by the class (including myself : ). A great teacher. Well-paced and a good atmosphere. Paint on!"

• Mark Allen, Bienarte regular student

{image name:"GalleryImage_FoundationsInOils" align:"centre" caption:"Images from previous Foundations In Oils Courses"}

"Anyone can paint if they are given the right instructions.” - Marcel Desbiens, Master Artist and Principal Tutor

This is a Brisbane Course,  led by Ai Shah 

If you have never picked up a paintbrush before, this course will give you the technical skills and knowledge to help fast-track your painting process and produce stunning works of art of your own. All in a friendly and supportive environment.

All materials are included. All you need to do is turn up!

What will I learn?

• how to set up your workstation to minimise mess and maximise your painting time
• understand basic principles of colour mixing and paint consistency
• learn how to control tone to create the optical illusion of reality
• how to choose the right brushes and develop effective brush techniques
• how to clean and care for your brushes
• learn to paint in the traditional glazing techniques of the old masters

In each class, your tutor will give a step-by-step demonstration, and then it’s your turn for hands-on painting exercises. Each exercise builds on the previous one so that each week your skills and confidence will grow a little more.

Who is this course suitable for?

This foundation course is perfect for absolute beginners or for those who want to brush up on the fundamental techniques of oil painting. 90% of students who enrol in this course either have never picked up a paintbrush or have minimal painting experience. However, others who have painted before have also come along and found that they learned so much more about oil painting techniques.

The Foundation in Oils course is a prerequisite for the Gain Confidence in Oils course.

If travel time is an issue for you, consider the Live Online Via Zoom workshop that runs in a similar way but without your needing to leave your home!

And if fixed learning times are an issue for you, consider the Self-Paced Learning | Foundations in Oils course that has easy-to-follow videos for you to watch at a time to suit you.

The Course has been designed by Marcel Desbiens and is also available online with lifetime access HD videos for those that cannot attend our in studio classes in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.

{image name:"GalleryImage_FoundationsInOils" align:"centre" caption:"Images from previous Foundations In Oils Courses"}

What do I need to bring?

• An old large towel to cover your table
• 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:

• prepared paper for painting exercises by a master artist.
• PDF booklet, packed with painting tips and tricks.
• Free professional-quality oil colours
• Free pack of paint brushes
• 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.

Receive a FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours!

Receive a FREE PACK of Paint brushes!

Oil Painting Starter Kits also available for enrolled students

Once enrolled, every student will receive their FREE GIFT PACK of 5 Schmincke professional quality oil colours as well as their pack of brushes.
To practice at home, we have made it easy for you by putting together an Oil Painting Starter Kits which contains everything you will need to get started! Save time and money and pick up your art pack.

To purchase, see further below under "Related Products" and click on "Oil Painting Starter Kits" and "click "Buy Now"
You can also view all items that are included.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

What Our Students Say About Foundations in Oils

"A great art course! Highly recommended for beginners or those that want to learn more skills. I did the 8-week oil painting course and was surprised with the quality produced by the class (including myself : ). A great teacher. Well-paced and a good atmosphere. Paint on!"

• Mark Allen, Bienarte regular student

Bienarté is now offering new morning mentoring sessions with Kerry Daley, designed for artists with a basic understanding of drawing who would like to further develop their skills and build confidence in a friendly and supportive environment.

These sessions provide the flexibility to work on your own artistic goals while receiving personalised guidance, feedback and encouragement from an experienced tutor. Whether you are looking to strengthen your observational skills, improve proportion and perspective, refine your shading techniques, or tackle more complex subjects, Kerry will help you progress at a pace that suits you.

Perfect for artists with some drawing experience who are looking to continue their learning journey, these mentoring sessions offer the ideal balance of independent practice and expert tuition. Work on projects that interest you, strengthen your technical skills, and gain valuable insights tailored to your individual needs and artistic aspirations.

With a focus on developing strong drawing foundations and building confidence through regular practice, these sessions provide a supportive environment in which to grow as an artist while exploring your own creative interests.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience, including those that are not able to draw a stick figure!

What do I need to bring?

We take care of all the art materials for you so that you have all the right tools to begin!

Just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!

What art materials are provided?

You will receive the following drawing materials kit to keep:

• A3 and A4 Drawing Paper (250g)
• Drawing pencils: 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B
• Eraser
• Putty Rubber

Access to the following drawing equipment during classes:

• Sharpener (or Knife)
• Sandpaper Point Sharpener
• 30cm clear ruler

What is provided

• Tea, coffee and biscuits (bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarte art community

About the Tutor

Kerry Daley is a visual artist and arts educator based in Brisbane, Australia. She holds a Fine Arts degree with majors in Drawing and Art History, and a Higher Diploma in Education. Kerry maintains an active professional practice across multiple disciplines including drawing, painting, and ceramics, with a strong focus on technical skill, craftsmanship, and disciplined studio practice.

With extensive teaching experience, Kerry is known for her clear, structured, and supportive approach to instruction. Her teaching prioritises skill development, confident decision-making, and a deep understanding of materials. She helps students build both technical ability and independence in their practice. Her personal work explores themes of identity, environment, and the relationship between the natural and the constructed, informing a teaching approach that is grounded, thoughtful, and practical.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

This is suitable for anyone that have the basic knowledge of working with oil colours and started to develop  technical skills and wish to take it to the next level.

You are now ready to apply those techniques in real time on a subject you may want to paint at home.

At this important stage of your learning it is important  to keep the motivation and gain confidence. 

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