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

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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

"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.

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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

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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