Experimental Nature Painting with Watercolour and Acrylic Ink | Jan Lawnikanis

About the workshop

Using watercolour as the predominant medium, you will make unique interpretations of landscape and nature subjects with the addition of textures and mark-making materials. 

This is an exciting and creative workshop to inspire you with many possibilities from references, your imagination and letting the media surprise you with its unpredictability. Fun! 

You’ll discover ways to create new watercolours as mixed media works by incorporating acrylic inks and granulation medium. Also be amazed at how to revamp 'failed' watercolour paintings with a variety of techniques, so bring along any watercolour paintings you'll be happy to experiment on.

Some of the ideas incorporated into this workshop are based on the methods of Ann Blockley www.annblockley.com, Lena Gemzoe https://www.facebook.com/gemzoe.dk/, Nita Engle  https://www.pinterest.com.au/annv0707/nita-engle/ and others.

This is an exciting and creative workshop to inspire you with many possibilities from references and the imagination.  

Who is this workshop suitable for?

Suited to people with experience looking for additional techniques and creativity. Beginners are also welcome!

What do I need to bring?

Beginners without materials will be able to gain access to everything they need for $80 - just click on the link below.

Paints:
A range of professional quality watercolours and a large palette with plenty of room for mixing big washes. Include colours that granulate, if possible. Daniel Smith watercolours are especially effective. Also bring a tube of white gouache and a small pot of gesso. You’ll need a separate utensil to put these paints on. A disposable takeaway lid or old plate etc will suffice.

Inks:
Bienarte will supply a small range of inks for you to use. 

You are also welcome to bring your own. Acrylic pigment inks (not ‘drawing inks’ ) in as many colours as you like, or a set of 3 primary colours and white. Opaque colours are ideal for the methods in this workshop. Recommended brands are Liquitex, FW, Amsterdam and Golden. Or Art Spectrum with the dropper style lids. (If you already own AS inks with the tiny holes in the top, you could decant into dropper bottles beforehand. These are available from discount stores)

Brushes:
A variety of watercolour brushes in different sizes, including a large wash brush or hake and a rigger (for long lines). Plus an older brush for using gesso.

Paper:
100% cotton watercolour paper, 300gsm in either Medium or Rough texture, at least A3 size. You will be working on 3 or 4 pieces or more at the same time each day. White tissue paper - at least one large sheet.

Other basics:
GRANULATION MEDIUM – Usually available from art stores that sell any watercolour mediums. This is essential as it provides a lot of the unique texture you’ll be working with.
2 water pots, old towel or rags, tissues, a board larger than your paper, masking tape. 2 pipettes or medicine droppers.  Metal palette knife.  Nib pen if you own one or waterproof felt tip pen- black and/or brown.

Stationery: Pen and paper for writing notes. Graphite pencil, eraser and scissors.

Texture Making & Collage: Jan will share some materials but bring any flat, textured items you have e.g. doilies, bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, torn stockings, flocked wallpaper, tissue paper, lace paper, patterned serviettes with nature scenes, hessian, gauze, pressed leaves/flowers etc. Salt and clingwrap make wonderful textures. Bring Matt Gel Medium for gluing rather than PVA.

Optional: These extra mediums will be handy, so bring them along if you already own some: Watercolour pencils; Inktense sticks; oil pastels. No need to go out and buy them though.

References: Any favourite photos/magazine pictures of landscape subjects for inspiration. Perhaps references for birds, trees, flowers, leaves etc.

What else is provided?

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

About the Tutor

Jan Lawnikanis has been teaching art classes consistently for the past 26 years and tutored over 200 workshops in a variety of media. Students have praised Jan for her teaching skills and preparation which has gained her an excellent reputation with all ages.

Jan has been the featured artist in Australian Artist Magazine, with 5 full-length articles on using coloured pencils. Other publications include the Paradise Magazine-GC Bulletin, Art Newsflash, the International Watercolour Institute catalogue, the Coloured Pencil Magazine, the Australian Coloured Pencil Network, Art Edit magazine and Artwise textbook for the Australian Curriculum.

Her award-winning artworks hang in many private and corporate collections.