Weekend Art Workshops and January Summer School

Art Class Sydney hosts a regular timetable of Sunday Workshops in Painting, Drawing and Watercolour throughout the year for absolute beginners to more advanced students. The workshops have a maximum of 12 students which ensures students get quality time with the tutor.

The Sunday workshops are conducted in a natural light-filled room in the Back Hall at the Annandale Community Centre on Johnston St Annandale. This room has disabled access, street parking and access to public transport.

January Summer School 2025

The January summer school runs annually in the third week of January. There is a 3 day Intensive for absolute beginners to more experienced and a 2 day Intensive in Expressive and abstract painting for those with some experience to more advanced. These workshops are held in the St Johns Church Hall in Birchgrove, which is a large wooden light filled hall with plenty of free parking close by. More details below.

I’ve learned so much from Ochre – not just about the mechanics of painting but also how to look at pictures and see things differently which is still a skill that I’m working on, it’s a practice. Classes with Ochre are fun and accessible and I find it inspiring and a privilege that I am learning from an artist that I admire.

Cluny, Northern Suburbs

Current Workshops

Introduction to Drawing Landscape with charcoal and pastel

6 places Available

Date and Time

Sunday April 21, 2024

10am-3.30pm

Venue

Annandale Community Centre - back hall

Cost

$185 (inc gst excluding materials) or $210 (inc gst, including materials)

Enrol

Overview

In this fun and challenging one day workshop students will learn how to draw the landscape from a photo using charcoal and chalk pastel as our medium.. Drawing is one of the most basic skills in art and is a really important first step for learning  to paint the landscape.  Master artists will be referenced and experienced tutor Ochre Lawson will demonstrate different drawing techniques. In this workshop you will learn:
    • how to draw from observation
    • how to measure basic proportions
    • about linear and aerial perspective
    • division of space in the landscape
    • how to see and render tone, texture and line using charcoal
    • how to use limited chalk pastel colour
    • about historical and contemporary artists
    • about different drawing materials

Materials List:

Download
  • A2 cartridge paper
  • Medium Willow charcoal
  • Chalk pastel soft – cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, titaniumwhite
  • Paper towel for rubbing back
  • Ruler
  • Bull dog clips

Equipment List:

  • Desks
  • Easels
  • backing boards
  • tea and coffee, microwave
  • toilets
  • Street parking
  • Disabled access

Introduction to Painting the Landscape

Places available

Date and Time

Sunday May 19, 2024

10am-3.30pm

Venue

Annandale Neighbourhood Centre - Back Hall

Cost

$185 inc gst (materials excluded), $210 inc gst (materials included)

Enrol

Overview

Overview

In this fun and challenging one day workshop you will learn the fundamental skills in painting and drawing the landscape in acrylic or oil paint from a photo. Experienced and qualified art tutor and practicing landscape artist Ochre Lawson will guide you in learning new skills, demonstrations and looking at master artists through history.

You will learn:

  • Skills in observation and composition of the landscape 
  • How to see and paint perspective in the landscape
  • How to divide the picture plane
  • How to create a sense of depth
  • How to mix tone and a limited colour palette 
  • How to lay out a pallet
  • About different landscape artists and their approach

Materials List:

Download

Painting the Landscape Material List – Art Class Sydney

Unless you have paid for art materials they are not included in the workshop fee. Students will need to bring the following items: 

  • One Canvas, canvas paper or wooden board to paint on, minimum 14” x18″ for the workshop. This may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop.
  • 3 times A4 cartridge paper, willow charcoal/pencil and rubber for sketching out ideas
  • A selection of 3-4 filbert brushes small, medium and large size. A large glue brush for painting a ground is also useful.
  • A rectangle plastic or wooden palette (no smaller than A3 size)

Rags, Apron

Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on
preference.

  • Cadmium yellow (hue) or a mid yellow
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Titanium White;
  • Please buy ‘student quality’ paints from a decent brand (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Art Spectrum paints are good, reasonably priced brands). Cheap paints are a waste of money! At least buy a good quality white.

If using Oil Paints: 

You will need odourless solvent for cleanup and mixing mediums. We recommend ‘Gamsol’ by Gamblin. This is the least toxic solvent on the market and the same price as other odourless solvents. Solvents MUST be odourless. Oil painting solvents and mediums must not be tipped down the sinks. You will need to bring 2 small jars with lids to take away spent solvents/mediums. Spent solvents/ mediums must be taken with you. Your tutor will give you information on reusing and disposing of spent solvents and mediums. You need to clean oil brushes at home. If you want to save paint bring some glad wrap to put over your pallet. 

Equipment List:

Facilities provided by Art Class Sydney

  • Desks
  • Easels
  • backing boards
  • bulldog clips
  • tea/coffee, milk, mugs, microwave, fridge
  • toilets
  • Free street parking
  • Disabled access

Introduction to Drawing and Painting Portraits

Places available

Date and Time

Sunday June 16, 2024

10am - 3.30pm

Venue

Annandale Community Centre - Back Hall

Cost

$185 inc gst(materials excluded), or $210 inc gst (materials included)

Enrol

Overview

Overview

This fun and challenging one day workshop teaches you the fundamental skills in drawing and painting a portrait from a photo. Experienced and qualified art tutor and professional artist Ochre Lawson will guide you in learning new skills, demonstrations and looking at master portrait artists throughout history.

You will learn:

  • Skills in observing the features of a head and face
  • How to draw basic proportions of a head and face
  • How to create volume in a portrait painting
  • How to render tone and mix a palette using acrylics or oils
  • About different portrait master artists

Materials List:

Download
  • Canvas, canvas paper or Board to paint on. Bring one support, minimum 14” x18″ for the workshop. This may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop.
  • An A4 art journal or cartridge paper, willow charcoal/4b pencil and rubber for sketching out ideas
  • A selection of 3-4 filbert brushes small, medium and large size. A large glue brush for painting a ground is also useful.
  • A rectangle plastic or wooden palette (no smaller than A3 size)
  • Rags, Apron
  • Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending onpreference.
  • A good basic colour palette includes:
    • Ochre yellow (warm) and lemon yellow (cool);
    • Ultramarine Blue
    • Burnt Sienna
    • Titanium White
    • Please buy ‘student  quality’ paints (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Art Spectrum oils/acrylics are good, reasonably priced brands). Cheap paints are a waste of money! At least have a good quality titanium white.

If using Oil Paints:

You will need odourless solvent for cleanup and mixing. We recommend ‘Gamsol’ by Gamblin. This is the least toxic solvent on the market and the same price as other odourless solvents. Solvents MUST be odourless. Linseed oil is also recommended for mixing mediums but not necessary for a one day workshop. Oil painting solvents and mediums must not be tipped down the sinks. You will need to bring 2 small jars with lids to take away spent solvents/mediums. Spent solvents/ mediums must be taken with you and not left in the hall. Your tutor will give you information on reusing and disposing of spent solvents and mediums. You need to clean oil brushes at home. If you want to save paint bring some glad wrap to put over your pallet.

If using Acrylic Paints:

Bring a general purpose flow medium.

Equipment List:

Facilities provided by Art Class Sydney

  • Desks
  • Easels
  • backing boards
  • bulldog clips
  • tea/coffee, milk, mugs, microwave
  • toilets
  • Free street parking
  • Disabled access

Enrolment Terms and Conditions

If the hall is forced to close due to restrictions being put back in place students must be prepared to do the class via zoom. There will be no refunds due to hall closure.

All term classes must be taken within the term paid for. 

Fees are non-refundable, unless negotiated for an extended illness.

You may make up missed classes by attending other classes within the same term (Subject to available places in the class)You may also use credit toward a workshop within one month of the term finishing – only up to 2 missed classes may be used in credit. This is also subject to availability within a week of the workshop. Credit per class missed is as follows – Wednesday morning – $50, Wednesday evening – $30, Thursday morning – $40

If you choose to withdraw from a course or workshop up to 7 days before its commencement, you will be charged a $25 administration fee. You may transfer the remaining value (class fee paid less administration fee) to another class or student, to be used within 12 months of the date payment was received. You will not receive a refund for the course or workshop fee paid.

If you choose to withdraw from a course or workshop within 7 days of its commencement, you will be charged 50% of the class fee. You may transfer the remaining value (50% of the class fee) to another class or student, to be used within 12 months of the date payment was received. You will not receive a refund for the class fee paid.

NO refunds transfers or credits if you withdraw or cancel on the day of the course or workshop.
NO refunds transfers or credits once the class has commenced.

If you have enrolled in a one day weekend workshop that you cannot attend, you may transfer your enrolment to someone else. Please let us know prior to the workshop.

If you are enrolled in a term course and if for any reason you are unable to attend a class during the term, you cannot give your place for the missed week/s to someone else. 

Art Class Sydney strive to run every class advertised, however, very rarely, classes may be cancelled due to low numbers. Students will be reimbursed the full fee or they may be credited toward another class if you prefer.