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

About this workshop

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.

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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 for the oils
• A tube of Langridge impasto medium 150ml
• 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
• Matisse impasto medium

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 to 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.

Unleash your creativity with Peter Griffen's Expressive Landscape Workshop. Join the dynamic artist, Peter Griffen, for an exhilarating weekend of hands-on experimental abstract painting in acrylic.

About the workshop

This workshop is all about freedom and expression, where we'll respond to free-form approximations and abstractions. Get ready to invent and explore newfound techniques under Peter's expert guidance.

Our process will blend the act of painting and drawing landscape with our own imagination, distractions, and incidental thoughts. The ability to replicate is not a focus but each will be encouraged to find their unique and inventive way to convey it.

During the workshop, Peter will demonstrate various acrylic paint techniques, including brushing, scraping, splashing, dripping, glazing, and collaging. You'll have the freedom to experiment with additional mediums like graphite, pastels, charcoal, ink, and whatever piques your interest.

You can work from photographs if it inspires you, Peter will encourage the creation of multiple paintings simultaneously. 

Get ready to let your creativity soar in this one-of-a-kind art experience.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

Suitable for all levels.

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What do I need to bring?

Paint:
Acrylic White - 250ml to 500ml - Peter will use this more than the other paints.
Black
Yellow - warm & cool
Red - warm & cool
Blue - warm & cool
Phthalo Green
Orange
Dioxazine Purple

Paper:
At least 20 sheets of cartridge or mixed media paper, at least 200gsm, approx. 60x40cm (Other painting surfaces, artist paper, canvasses are also welcomed, bring a few, but not too small!) 

Canvas:
Your choice, but around 60x40cm is good.  Bring as many as you'd like. You're welcome to bring something larger, bearing in mind that you may not finish a large painting.

Brushes:
A range of very fine to broad (approx. 6cms) brushes 

Other:
Derivan (or Matisse) Polymer Gloss Varnish 500ml 
Spatula 
Bucket 
Small plastic containers 
Rags and/or paper towels 
Scissos and/or Stanley knife 
Palette
4-8 Large bulldog clips
Masking tape
Gesso

Bring anything else you may want to use, such as: Found objects, old magazines (for collage), other acrylic paints,  left over water based house paint, crayons, pastels pens and inks, pencils, other painting surfaces, charcoal, inks, support board and tape, small paint rollers, gesso, trowel, impasto medium, acrylic painting medium, spray bottle.

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

What 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

Born in Adelaide in 1948, Peter Griffen has been painting for over fifty years. He lives in his warehouse studio in the inner west of Sydney and travels throughout Australia and overseas exhibiting and teaching. He enjoys painting outdoors but the bulk of his time is spent in the studio creating abstract images derived mainly from the landscape. Typical of his work is its playful, dynamic quality and strong use of colour.

He has had over fifty solo exhibitions in Australia, five exhibitions in London, three in Paris, two in St Tropez, one in Lyon, one in New York and one in New Zealand. His participation in group exhibitions is also widespread; art fairs in Canada, UK, Belgium, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney, he has been a finalist in the Blake, Sulman, Dobell, Fleurieu, Eutick, Alice, Faber-Castell, Fishers Ghost, Biennale Internationale du Pastel (France) and has been invited to exhibit in the Tattersalls Landscape Exhibition and Messagers de la Terre (France).

Apart from continual studio explorations, central to his creativity is his love of en plein air studies of the world that he travels in. Central Australia and the coast, Paris, France, London and country, Italy, Portugal, USA and New Zealand.

Throughout the world he has tutored numerous workshop, he is the President of The Glebe Art Show and has judged many prizes.

Unleash your creativity and explore the beauty of watercolour painting with Lauren Le Sueur in this 2 Day Weekend Workshop. 

No experience is necessary just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm. All materials are supplied. You will be guided step by step to learn the skills, technique, and confidence to begin your watercolour journey.

Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, a therapeutic escape, or a new skill to explore, watercolour painting offers endless possibilities. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of watercolour and discover the joy of bringing colour to life on paper. 

About this workshop

This workshop will provide students with a great foundation to explore watercolour painting. It is designed to be relaxed and supportive, allowing students to explore at their own pace and enjoy the process without pressure.  

Students will receive one-on-one guidance and feedback from Lauren, a supportive and inspiring watercolour artist who understands the beginners journey. 

What will I learn?

• The essential materials. Students will explore the different types of watercolour paper, brushes, paints and palettes and how they affect your artwork.
• Practice various brush strokes and paint manipulation techniques to create texture and detail.
• Learn how to control water and pigment for varied effects, from light washes to bold lines.
• Explore techniques such as wet into wet or wet onto dry to create soft, blended backgrounds and more detailed defined shapes.
• Learn to mix colours on the palette or on the paper to create exciting colour vibration.
• Understand tonal values in watercolour and why it's important.
• Explore the various styles of watercolour painting from Landscape, Still Life, Illustrative, Naive and more. This will give students an insight into their own individual style and the direction they would like to take moving forward.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

No experience required. Beginners welcome!

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What do I need to bring?

Access to all materials will be provided.

What is provided?

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

About  Lauren Le Sueur

Lauren is a local Brisbane artist fully immersed in the world of watercolour. She has painted with some of the best watercolourists in the world and her passion and love for the medium show through in her vibrant paintings. Lauren believes that expression rather than perfection is essential to being a joyful artist.

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Join Ann Strini in this alla prima oil painting workshop as you explore a modern, loose approach to capturing still lifes. 

Ann paints daily using this method in her own professional practice, having studied under several teachers in Australia and abroad. Her friendly approach and intuitive, easy-to-learn methods help give students the structure and confidence to tackle difficult subjects with ease.

What will I learn?

In this weekend workshop, students will gain knowledge on the basic principles of alla prima “wet on wet” oil painting, including how modern painters use alla prima techniques to create bold, energetic, fresh paintings.

Specifically, you will explore and learn more about:

• Simplification: how to create, set-up and/or identify eye-catching compositions that work
• Approximation: how to capitalize on the principles of abstraction and impressionism to create looser, modern-looking paintings
• Visible mark-making: how to leverage your brushes and their surfaces to add variety, direct focus and accentuate the dimensionality of your subject(s)
• Intentional contrasts and blending harmony: how to choose values, shades and tones for each object and across a painting to create movement and cohesion across the whole canvas
• Cutting-in and over: learn how opaque layering can work for you to create a fresher contrast and add interest between subject(s) and background

Who is this course suitable for?

This workshop welcomes painters of all levels – especially beginners. 

Experienced painters will also benefit and may find alla prima techniques help shorten the time it takes them to complete large works. 

Please note - some understanding of painting and/or drawing will be helpful.

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What do I need to bring?

Canvas and Boards:

• 1 12x12” primed canvas
• 2 canvas boards – 5 x 7”, 8 x 8”, 10x 10” or 12x12” – for studies

Oil Paints:

• Winsor & Newton Professional Paints: Ultramarine Blue, Alazarin Crimson, Permanent Rose, Zinc White, Titanium White, Transparent Red Oxide or Transparent Earth Red, Cadmium Yellow Medium (can be Cadmium-Free)
• Winton: Pthalo Blue
• Gamblin Indian Yellow
• Optional: Windsor & Newton Raw Umber, Cadmium Scarlet

Medium:

• Gamsol or other non-odorless mineral spirit
• Langridge refined linseed oil
• 1-2 glass or metal sealable jars to hold medium
• Metal cup / eyedropper to hold/ dispense oil onto palette

Brushes and Palette Knives:

Please bring an assortment of flat brushes and detailers – I recommend and use:

• 2” or wider flat paintbrush (for toning your canvas)
• Neef Synthetic Flats: #12, #10, #8, #6, #4
• Rosemary & Co. Evergreen: Angular ¾”, ¼” and 1/8” (or other detailers)
• 1-2 palette knives

Other Materials

• Artist palette - New Wave glass or disposable grey pad paper palettes
• Paper Towels
• Apron
• Smart phone or tablet with camera function – to take and reference photo to use during painting process
• Cleaning Wet Wipes (highly recommended)
• Disposable Gloves (highly recommended)

Please bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by. We do have a fridge and microwave at the studio for your convenience.

OPTIONAL Helpful Tools to Make Painting &  Clean Up Easier:

• Pencil or chalk – if you prefer to sketch your shapes before toning
• Acrylic transparent red sheet  (art stores) – lets you see values vs. colors
• Viewfinder (art stores) – helps place objects into a proportioned frame
• 8mm Corflute sheet cut to 16” x 16” (Bunnings) — wet canvas “carrier”
• Clean/ empty pizza boxes – wet canvas carrier with a lid
• Grid Ruler (quilting/ sewing shops) – helps locate grid points on a canvas
• Plastic paint scraper (Bunnings) – cleans glass palettes without scratches
• Metal sculpting pottery tool (dollar stores) – allows you to ‘etch’ your signature into wet oil paint

What is Provided:

• Easels, chairs, tables
• Plastic Buckets for discarded paper towels
• Tea and Coffee  - please bring your own mug
• A friendly and supportive environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

About Strini Biography

Ann Strini is an emerging modern impressionist artist who migrated to Australia in 2015 and re-started her art practice in 2021. Inspired by the leafy surrounds of Brisbane and the laid-back coastal vibes of the Sunshine Coast, Ann has a passion for capturing joyful, saturated landscapes with mesmerizing patterns and close-up still life subjects that reveal playful details.

A daily painter, Ann practices the “alla prima” technique, painting in plein air and from images she takes of nature or during travels abroad. “Because I’ve learned my craft through years of daily practice, in-person courses and workshops, online classes, books, and trial-and-error, I think of my artist education as self-lived. My goal is to share the plethora of tips and techniques I’ve learned along the way to help make oil painting less intimidating, more accessible, easier to gain confidence in and more enjoyable as a lifelong activity.”

Ann has exhibited in galleries in QLD, VIC & NSW and has sold works to private collectors in the US, South Africa and Australia.

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