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

Offering:

Morning classes with Ai Shah

Evening classes with 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 is also available online with lifetime access HD videos for those that cannot attend our in studio classes in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.

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.

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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.

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

Do you already have some skills in painting with acrylics?
Do you want to learn more about composing your painting and why tone matters?
Do you want to learn about how to use colour better?
Do you have trouble finishing your paintings?
Are you looking for dedicated time and space to paint?

Mentoring in Acrylics will provide students with uninterrupted time to focus on their own work in a studio setting, while being guided by acrylics expert Anita West!

What will I learn?

Everything you need to know - including techniques and ideas  - so you can complete your own painting project.

• Individual mentoring on your own painting projects.
• Expert guidance on how to use acrylic paint effectively.
• Demonstrations on the use of transparent and opaque layers
• Guided discussions on the importance of composition and  tone.
• Using perspective.
• Demonstrations on colour mixing.
• Techniques to resolve your paintings.
• A safe and nurturing space to critique your paintings with other like-minded artists.

Who is this course suitable for?

Those who have some experience in painting with acrylics and are ready to move to the next level.  Perhaps you have a home studio and would like to make your environment more professional, or you're stuck on current or past paintings and need advice on directions you could take.

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What do I need to bring?

Bring along the painting you are currently working on or an idea that you would like to turn into a painting.

It is preferable that you use a polycotton canvas or a board that is smooth primed.  Please bring your own acrylics and brushes.

Limited art supplies are available for purchase at the studio if you need a top up.

It is suggested that students also include a range of TRANSPARENT acrylics.  Colours could include:

• Paynes grey
• Raw/burnt umber
• raw/burnt sienna
• Blues (ultramarine, pthalo)
• Transparent yellows
• Transparent reds
• Titanium white
• Any black (carbon, ivory, mars)

Please also bring

• Clear painting medium (this is necessary)
• Rags
• Note book
• Palette, brushes etc.

What is provided?

• Easels
• Backing boards
• Chairs
• Tables
• Tea and coffee (please bring your own mug)
• A friendly and supportive environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community.

About the tutor

Anita is an Australian artist living and working in Brisbane. She has maintained a professional art practice for over 30 years and her passion is painting the unique Australian landscape. She has had over 25 major solo exhibitions and paints an average of 15-25 new major paintings for each show. Even though she is considered prolific, every painting has a unique story and the quality of the work continues to grow. Her work is in the collections of public institutions, commercial businesses, regional galleries and private homes across the world. Anita has an enviable history of commissions and is represented in Sydney with Harvey Galleries (10 years) and Gallery One at Southport (6 years).

Anita’s paintings have won major awards, and her works have been selected in many art prizes across Australia. Anita’s reputation for her unique, technically proficient and beautifully layered landscapes are highly sought-after both as an investment and for private collections. Her career is continuing to gain recognition in the Australian Contemporary Market.

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

This two-day oil painting workshop offers an immersive introduction to alla prima (wet-on-wet) painting, focusing on still life and observational practice. Through a series of guided exercises, demonstrations, and studio sessions, students will explore drawing, tone, colour mixing, and composition in a supportive and relaxed environment. 

The workshop emphasises learning through doing, encouraging students to work intuitively, build confidence, and embrace a more expressive, process-driven approach to painting. Day one focuses on foundational skills including drawing, tonal understanding, and colour mixing, while day two expands into still life painting, composition, and developing a personal approach to subject matter. 

Suitable for beginner to advanced students, this workshop is designed to strengthen both technical skills and creative confidence.

What will I learn?

By the end of the workshop, students will: 

• Understand the fundamentals of alla prima (wet-on-wet) oil painting
• Develop skills in observational tonal studies and mark-making
• Apply the “thick over thin” principle in oil painting
• Explore composition and still life arrangement
• Build confidence working intuitively and letting go of perfectionism
• Complete a several studies and a resolved painting

Who is this course suitable for?

This workshop welcomes beginners and anyone with some experience. Some experience in oils is helpful.

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What do I need to bring?

Oil Paints

A basic palette (professional or student grade): 

• Titanium White (150ml)
• Cadmium Yellow Light (40ml)(or similar warm yellow)
• Lemon Yellow (40ml)
• Yellow Ochre 40ml
• Cadmium Red Light (or similar warm red) 40ml
• Alizarin Crimson (cool red) 40ml
• Ultramarine Blue 40 ml
• Phthalo Blue (or Cerulean Blue) 40ml
• Burnt Umber 40ml

(Note: Black is not essential – we will mix our own darks.) 

Brushes 

• A selection of flat/square brushes (synthetic or hog hair)
  • Small, medium, and large sizes (e.g. 4, 6, 8, 10 or similar)

Surfaces 

To keep work achievable within the workshop timeframe, please bring: 

• Canvas or canvas paper / boards
• Maximum size: A3 (approx. 30 x 40 cm)
• Recommended:
  • 1–2 x A3 surfaces
  • 3–5 x A4 oil canvas paper sheets (for studies)

Drawing Materials 

• A4 sketch pad
• Pencils (HB–2B)
• Soft pastels (for tonal exercises) 1 – 4 tones.
• Brown paper (optional but recommended)

Palette & Tools 

• Palette (wood, glass, or disposable palette pad)
• Palette knife (for mixing and scraping)

Solvent & Cleaning 

• Odourless solvent (e.g. Gamsol or low-odour turps) 500ml
• Small container/jar for solvent
• Rags or paper towels

Additional Items 

• Apron or old shirt
• Gloves (optional)
• Small rubbish bag
• Glad wrap or container for storing paint overnight

Optional 

• Personal objects for still life (Day 2)
• Reference images (if desired)

Lauren will have a still life display along with reference images.

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

What is provided?

• Easels
• Chairs
• Tables
• Cardboard for practice
• Tea and coffee (please bring your own mug)
• A friendly and supportive environment