Abstracting a Floral with a Palette Knife | Todd Whisson

About this workshop

This workshop invites students to reimagine abstract florals painted alla prima.

Students will embrace the unpredictability of the process, loosening control and allowing the painting to guide us. Through palette knife techniques, layered textures, and bold colour stories, participants will explore semi-abstract approaches that bring out their unique artistic voice.

What will I learn?

Working from a reference image provided, students will focus on capturing the essence of our subject in a single session, using dynamic brushwork, expressive colour choices, and confident mark-making to create fresh, immediate, and emotionally engaging work.

• Develop palette knife skills to create bold marks, texture, and movement
• Explore alla prima techniques, working wet-on-wet for immediacy and energy
• Experiment with layering techniques to create depth and richness
• Understand colour storytelling to strengthen the emotional impact of their work
• Let go of control, embrace risk, and paint intuitively

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for all skill levels.

What do I need to bring?

Board or Canvas:

• Bring two (one for each day) of either stretched canvas or board to paint on. Approximately 45x 60cm. Primed and ready to go.

Palette knives:

• 1 x Large Straight-Edge Palette Knife preferred approx. 7.5cm in length

Suggested Brushes:

• 2 x Size 12 (25mm) Square Flat Hog Hair Brushes
• 1 x Size 6 Round Hog Hair Brush

Paints - Students can choose to work in oils or acrylics:

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 (for oils only)

• 100ml Art Spectrum Medium no.1
• Minimum 100ml of art spectrum odorless solvent and a container with lid to dispense it
• Mineral Turps to clean brushes

Suggested Acrylic Colours - Todd recommends the Matisse brand:

• Australian Sienna
• Cadmium Yellow Light
• Phthalo Blue
• Quinacridone Magenta Violet
• Cadmium Red Medium
• Mars Black

Acrylic Medium (for acrylics only)

• 1 bottle of retarder

Other Items:

• Any paints or brushes you wish to bring.
• Roll of Viva paper towel
• Small rubbish Bag
• Apron

What is provided?

• Todd will supply reference images for you work from
• 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.