WATERCOLOUR CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS TO SUIT VARIOUS SKILL LEVELS
There’s something for every skill level in most of my classes. If you’re not sure which one to enrol in, just drop me an email (renata@renatawrightart.net) with your contact number, and I’ll give you a call.
Workshops – January and February 2025
My watercolour workshops are great for those who want to paint a specific subject; those who can’t commit to a term of classes; or those who would like to try watercolour for the first time (a workshop will help you decide whether to continue on with a term of classes). See below for more information:
Sat 04 Jan – Watercolour for Absolute Beginners – 9.30 am to 3.30 pm
Learn the basics of watercolour – how to hold a brush, which brush to use, how much water to use, how to mix paints, how to simplify your subjects, and more… Beginners only. Cost – $185 (includes all equipment).
Tue 07 Jan – Australian Landscape – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
We live in such a beautiful country, so why not capture it in our art? In this workshop I’ll show you how to create a classic Australian landscape with all the beautiful hues that our landscapes have to offer. You’ll follow along with me, step-by-step, adding your own personal touch as we go. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (+ $35 equipment hire if required).
Fri 10 Jan – Big Eyes (Margaret Keane Style) – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Let’s have some fun using our imagination to create cute faces like Margaret Keane painted. Although following in Margaret’s style, your painting will be in watercolour and will be created from your own photo. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (+ $35 equipment hire if required)
Sat 11 Jan – Cool Ocean Wave – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Learn how to paint a lovely ocean wave in all the glorious ocean colours, adding some sea spray here and there using a spattering technique. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (plus $35 equipment hire, if required).
Sun 12 Jan – You Are Frida Kahlo – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Frida Kahlo images are everywhere right now. They’re on t-shirts, mugs, cushions, prints, socks…. the list goes on. In this workshop you’ll be painting a poster-style portrait of yourself in watercolour, with a Frida Kahlo hairstyle and background. You can even add the mono brow if you like! This will be a fun workshop where you can let loose with colour and creativity. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (plus $35 equipment hire, if required).
Tue 14 Jan – Watercolour Skies – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Explore different ways of presenting skies. You will go home with four sky paintings – a stormy sky, a blue sky with fluffy clouds, a sunset, and a night sky. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (plus $35 equipment hire, if required).
Thu 23 Jan – Introduction to Painting with Gouache – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
If you’ve never tried painting with gouache, then why not join me in this introductory workshop where you’ll learn how it’s different to watercolour and how you can create simple yet stunning scenes. Cost includes paper and hire of gouache paint. $165.
Fri 24 Jan – Flowers, Insects and Droplets in Watercolour – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Choose your own flower scene and make it come alive with some extra fun bits including insects and water droplets. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (plus $35 equipment hire, if required).
Sat 25 Jan – Pet Portraits in Watercolour – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Bring a photo of your favourite pet (cat, dog, pig, rabbit etc) and I’ll show you how to create a painting that captures their character. I’ll also show you how to paint fur, paws, faces and more. Suitable for students with basic drawing and painting skill levels. $135 (+ $35 equipment hire if required).
Tue 28 Jan – Watercolour Pencils – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Learn the magic of watercolour pencils. I’ll show you some techniques to use, then you can have your turn, painting one or two simple subjects. Watercolour pencils are fantastic to use when you are travelling as they are very portable and compact. Great for sketching scenes and keeping a visual diary. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (+ $35 equipment hire, if required).
Thu 30 Jan – BIG Abstract Watercolour – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
In this workshop you will discover your inner artist, creating real and abstract images using a variety of watercolour techniques. Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (plus $45 equipment hire if required).
Sat 01 Feb – Watercolour Travel Diary – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
Learn how to record your travels in a travel diary using a combination of pen and wash, and urban sketching techniques. We’ll record memories of street scenes, people in cafes, and anything in between! Suitable for all skill levels. $135 (+ $35 equipment hire if required)
Sun 02 Feb – Watercolour Flowers – 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
We’ll be using real flowers in this workshop, studying each part carefully and transferring our observations to paper. You can either create one painting or a cute series of small watercolours. Learn how to mix the right colours, and add highlights and water drops. You can also paint from photos if you prefer. This workshop is suitable for students with all skill levels. $135 (plus $35 equipment hire if required).
Payment Options – Payment can be made in advance with cash or credit card (see me at the Orange Palette to do this), online into my account (contact me to receive my account details), or via my website using PayPal (click the Enrol Here button below to do this).
Venue – The Orange Palette, Unit 1/31 Berriman Drive, Wangara
Watercolour Classes February, March, April 2025
** Numbers limited, so book in early to avoid disappointment.**
Tuesday mornings – 9.30 am to 12.00 noon (Students with basic watercolour knowledge, and/or ongoing students)
04, 11, 18, 25 Feb, 04, 11, 18, 25 Mar – 8 wks – $310
Tuesday afternoons – 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm (Easy watercolours for beginners or students who want to paint simpler subjects)
04, 11, 18, 25 Feb, 04, 11, 18, 25 Mar – 8 wks – $310
Wednesday nights – 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm (All skill levels)
05, 12, 19, 26 Feb, 05, 12, 19, 26 Mar – 8 wks – $310
Thursday mornings – 9.30 am to 12.00 noon (Students with basic watercolour knowledge)
06, 13, 20, 27 Feb, 06, 13, 20, 27 Mar – 8 wks – $310
Friday mornings – 9.30 am to 12.00 noon (Beginners and Ongoing Students)
07, 14, 21, 28 Feb, 07, 14, 21, 28 Mar – 8 wks – $310
Saturday mornings – 9.00 am to 11.30 am (Beginners and Ongoing Students)
08, 15, 22 Feb, 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 Mar – 8 wks – $310
Payment Options – Payment can be made in advance with cash or credit card (see me at the Orange Palette to do this), online into my account (contact me to receive my account details), or via my website using PayPal (click the Enrol Here button below to do this).
Venue – The Orange Palette, Unit 1/31 Berriman Drive, Wangara
Terms and Conditions for In-Person Classes
Learning Outcome
Please note that each class runs for 2½ hours. During this time, I demonstrate techniques and a step-by-step process on my own painting; I also walk around the class and give you tips and individual instruction and provide feedback at the end of the lesson if required. Whilst class time is quite comprehensive, I also suggest you practise at home between classes as this will ensure that you improve and what I have taught will be reinforced. Your attitude is important – remain positive and results will come. Practise is important too – what you put in will determine the outcome.
Copyright (Very Important)
The photos, pictures and paintings used during my classes are protected by copyright and are not to be used for any purpose other than as painting subjects during class. They must not be distributed to a third party and should not be sold or used for entry into art exhibitions without my prior written consent.
Class Confirmation / Booking Terms
Classes are sold only by the term (i.e. not per class) and 100% must be paid when booking to secure the spot in the class. Payment may be made via my website booking system, or by online bank transfer or by cash / credit in person at the Orange Palette.
Classes that do not have sufficient minimum numbers will be cancelled, and a full refund will be provided to students of that class. The minimum number of students in the classes is 7, and the maximum number is 14.
An individual’s enrolment in a class can only be transferred to another student 14 days or more BEFORE the term begins. Once the term has started, an enrolled student cannot have another individual attend a class in their absence.
Refunds
Cancellation fees are as follows:
14 or more days prior to commencement of class/workshop – full refund (or fee held in credit for six months)
3 – 13 days prior to commencement of class/workshop – 50% refund (or credit for six months)
0 – 2 days prior to commencement of class/workshop – non-refundable
Missed Class Policy
No refunds will be given for missed classes.
No replacement classes, class notes or step-by-step photos will be provided for students who miss classes.
No credit is given for missed classes for the cost of enrolment in subsequent terms.
Stay Home if You Are Sick
If you are feeling ill you should not attend class. Staying home not only allows your body to rest and aid in the recovery process, but it also allows you to prevent spreading germs to others.
Painting Classes FAQs
- Do I need any experience to attend your watercolour painting classes? This is the most common question I am asked. No, you do not need any experience at all to attend my classes. My classes are designed so that you can follow along step by step when you are new to watercolour and later as you progress, I encourage you step outside of your comfort zone and experiment with colours, shapes, brush strokes etc to develop your own style.
- Is watercolour a difficult medium to work with? Yes and no. The only difficult thing about watercolour painting is that you need to plan a little bit more because watercolour does not allow you to make too many mistakes. I do share my tips on how to correct mistakes so you have nothing to worry about though. Watercolour can actually be quite easy to work with as its unpredictability can actually be a wonderful happy asset when painting, which means it often does the work for you without you even realising it!
- What benefits will I receive from painting in watercolour? The sky’s the limit with what you can achieve once you start painting in watercolour. The learning journey itself can be such a pleasure because you suddenly notice things differently around you and you start to wonder how you will paint something – what colours you’d use, how you’d capture the light and the shadow etc. It’s amazing how painting can be great for your health. Painting can be so therapeutic and you’ll find you’ll get lost in your own world at times as you squeeze out your paints, mix with your brush and dab, splash and stroke away. The social aspects are fantastic too. Many friendships have been formed in my classes, and everyone is helpful and supportive. You’ll feel like part of a family in my classes.
- Should I be able to draw first before I attend painting classes? No, it’s not absolutely necessary. At each class I hand out the picture that we’ll be painting from in the following class. That will give you a week to draw the picture at home so that you can get straight into painting once you come to class the following week. I give advice on how to draw the tricky bits and make changes so that the picture is more interesting. Most of my pictures are adaptable which means you can leave out parts that are too hard to draw and you can add other bits instead. For example, if we are painting the ocean, you could leave out any people on the beach and just add a seagull or two in the sky.
- I’m nervous when painting around others. How friendly are the other students? My classes, whilst remaining structured, are also informal and friendly. Everyone is made to feel welcome and everyone works at their own pace so there’s no pressure to turn out a masterpiece every time. I have noticed too, that students love to share information with others so if you’re stuck on anything, your painting neighbour is more than likely to tell you about a time when they had the same problem and how they fixed it! We have lots of laughs in our class, and yet there are also moments of silence when each person has their head down in deep concentration.
- Are the watercolor painting classes just for women or can men attend too? My classes are for men AND women, regardless of age, experience, and background. The men who attend my classes are sometimes outnumbered but they never feel left out or intimidated. In fact, most of them enjoy having so many women around them and there is often lots of “women vs men” banter thrown about!