Are you new to life drawing or new to using charcoal? This workshop is suited for absolute beginners or those with some experience. Patrick will cover step by step demonstrations with guided teaching. There will be plenty of one on one teachings with instant feedback.

What will I learn?

Through a combination of demonstrations and your own practice, you will learn a range of techniques and formulas for producing anatomically accurate, stylish and graceful human figures. This will include:

• Introduction to drawing materials
• The Head structure: landmarks and measurements
• The Figure structure: landmarks and measurements
• Gesture and Contour
• Creating Dimension
• Light and Shadow
• Mnemonics
• Line and Tone
• Finding Style

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is designed for anyone who either has never drawn a life model and would like to learn to draw in charcoal the human figure.

What do I need to bring?

Kits are available for purchase for the workshop for $45. To pre-order your kit, please select “Patrick Jones Materials Kit” at checkout or you can email us at team@bienarte.com.au to reserve a kit for you. 

There is also the option to rent a kit for $15. Please order before the workshop if you need a rental kit.

If you require the kit, please purchase all materials prior to the commencement of the workshop. $45 kits are available for sale from the studio. We also have a small stock of materials available for purchase on the day, however, we cannot guarantee availability, so please purchase in advance to ensure you have everything you need.

• Butcher’s paper
• Charcoal Sticks, big and small
• Kneadable Eraser
• Paper Stump
• Chamois Cloth (real leather, not synthetic)
• Peel & Sketch Charcoal Pencil 5633T Soft
• Sanding Pad
• Sharpening Blade

What is provided?

• Professional life models
• Anatomy of Style Study Sheets to "Finding Your Unique Style"
• Easels
• Backing boards
• Chairs
• Tea and coffee (please bring your own mug)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs

Welcome to the CAT! Our new Community Art Tribe!

We are excited to share with you, a new venture this year!
We INVITE you to JOIN the CAT – Community Art Tribe!
BYO your painting materials and we provide the space, table,
chairs and easels and the art vibe!

Every Sunday from 9.30AM - 1PM
First session starts on 12 January

INTRODUCTORY OFFER until 28 February.

Pay $40 for you and a friend for your first visit.

We have created a safe and creative space for adults in an art studio.
This is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people or maybe you just need a space to create art!
Bring your arty friends and paint together, we have a dedicated place and space for you all.

We provide a spacious air conditioned /heated room, with stand-up easels, a table and a chair each.
Artists of all levels who want to practice their skills in any medium, including oils, watercolour, drawing and acrylics will find the time to work on their own practice of benefit. Absolute beginners are welcomed as well as experienced artists.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your own painting materials and we provide the space, table, chairs and easels, art sinks and the art vibe!
If you are using oil colours, only odourless solvent is permitted. Limited art supplies are available for purchase at the studio if you need a top-up or are just starting out.

h3. What is provided?
• table easels 
• limited stand up easels 
• chair
• table
• art sinks
• a friendly and supportive environment
• connection to the Bienarte

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.

{image name:"ToddWhisson"}

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

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. 

{image name:"David_Bongiorno_Still_Life_images"}

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.

Useful Information

For Visitors FAQs