Painting and Drawing Classes for Adults
Gift Certificates, Summer School 20-24 January 2025. Enrolments for Term 1 2025 open.
Course overview
At Art Class Sydney we provide painting and drawing classes for adults spread over an 8 week term with 4 terms per year. The classes are led by owner and primary tutor Ochre Lawson. Ochre is a professional artist and experienced art tutor of over 15 years adept at working with students of varying abilities. The art classes are for students who are beginners and for those with prior painting experience who would like to develop their painting skills while developing their own painting style.
Students will be inspired by historical and contemporary artists and art movements including impressionism, modernism, and contemporary Australian and international art.
Over the course of a year students will explore a whole range of subject matter including still life, urban and natural landscape, interior, figure, portraiture, and abstraction with opportunities for students to work on their own projects and interests.
Students may use oil or acrylic paints in these relaxing and supportive classes.
I’ve been attending Ochre’s art classes for a few years now. Over this time I’ve learnt so much about colour and composition. She’s challenged me and encouraged me, and she always has something positive to say about everyone’s work. My painting has significantly improved, and I enjoy it more too, thanks to Ochre.
Bonny, Inner West
Wednesday Morning Painting and Drawing
Term 1 2025 – Fully Booked
Time – 10 – 2pm, 4 hours, 8 weeks, 32 hours total
Dates – Wednesday 5 February – 26 March 2025
Cost – $640 inc gst and stripe fee (current students get 5% early bird discount)
What you will learn
This painting class is for beginners to students who are more experienced who would like to develop their painting skills while developing their own painting style. Professional artist and experienced tutor Ochre Lawson will lead students in structured classes that explore different concepts and
techniques inspired by historical and contemporary artists. A range of subject matter will be explored including still life, the landscape, interior, figure, portraiture, abstraction and expressionistic concepts with opportunity for students to work on their own projects and interests.
Students may use oil or acrylic paints in this relaxing and supportive class.
Over the term you will learn:
- How to mix tone, colour and fundamental colour theory
- About composition and different compositional theories
- About different colour palettes and how they affect composition
- How to achieve a variety of paint application techniques such as glazing,
- working wet in wet, building thicker paint layers (impasto) and more
- From a range of different historical and contemporary artists and their
- approach to painting
- About different painting genres and their different applications
Ochre Lawson is a professional artist with over 15 years experience as a painting and drawing tutor. Ochre works with students at their own level and pace and encourages them to discover their own interests and style in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere.
Materials List
Art materials are not included in the course fee. Students will need to bring the following items:
- Canvas, canvas paper, wooden boards or canvas wrapped over cardboard as a ‘support’ to paint on. Through the term you will need around 3-4 supports. Bring an art journal (a5/4) and one support, minimum 14” x18″ for the first class. These may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop or Office Works.
- An A4/5 art journal, 2B pencil, willow charcoal and rubber for sketching out ideas
- A selection of 3-4 filbert brushes small, medium and large size. A large glue brush for painting grounds is also useful.
- A flat plastic or wooden palette (no wells – these are for watercolour)- An A3 size or bigger rectangular shape is best
- Palette knife, diamond shape medium size – metal is best
- Rags, bull dog clips, apron, masking tape
- Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on preference.
A good basic colour palette includes:
- Cadmium light hue, or primary yellow
- Ultramarine Blue and phthalo blue
- Cadmium Red Hue (warm) or primary red or Vermillion red and Alizarin Red (cool)
- Burnt Umber or Burnt Sienna
- Titanium White
- Extras – ochre yellow, viridian green.
You can buy student quality paints (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Langridge/Art Spectrum oils are good, reasonably priced brands). Very cheap paints are a waste of money! At least buy a good quality white.
Cadmium colours are more expensive, and it is perfectly ok to bring ‘hue’ from this range eg Cadmium yellow light (hue) or a warm yellow or warm red instead of the cadmiums.
If using Oil Paints:
You will need odourless solvent for cleanup and mixing mediums. A 250ml bottle is a good size for starters. 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 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.
Do not bring turpentine based solvents to class – they are extremely toxic
Mediums – You can mix your own medium with 1/3 refined linseed oil, 1/3 stand oil (heated linseed that drys faster) and 1/3 solvent. You do not need medium for your first few classes. Premixed mediums often have toxic dryers in them unless you buy from the Gamblin range.
If using Acrylic Paints:
Medium – Bring a general purpose flow medium.
Art supply stores
- Art on King in Newtown (good discount card)
- Parkers in the Rocks
- The Art Scene in Ryde (good online shopping)
- The Sydney Art Store in Botany (good online shopping)
Equipment supplied
Toilets with disabled access, hall also has disabled access
Easels and backing boards
Tables, drop sheets
Some source material
Kitchen facilities with fridge, microwave, coffee/tea, milk, mugs
Thursday Morning Painting and Drawing
Term 1 2025 – 1 place available
Time – 10am-1.30pm, 8 weeks, 28 hours total
Dates – Thursday 6 February – 27 March 2025
Cost – $570 inc gst and stripe fee (current students get 5% early bird discount)
What you will learn
This class is aimed at beginners to intermediate students. Fundamental skills in painting and drawing will be explored through structured classes facilitated by experienced tutor and professional artist Ochre Lawson.
Over the term you will learn:
- Learn how to set up a palette, about brushes, mediums and clean up for both oil and acrylic
- Learn about composition and drawing compositional sketches
- Drawing skills in both charcoal and watercolour and some collage
- Learn to mix tone and colour in paint
- Fundamental colour theory
- Learn how to create depth through both linear and arial perspective
- Learn different approaches to paint application and brush mark (wet in wet, building thicker paint layers (impasto), glazing with transparent colours and more)
- Take inspiration from a range of historical and contemporary artists and their approach to painting
- Explore different subject including Still life, Portraits, Interiors, en plein air painting – natural and urban landscape and many others.
Ochre Lawson is a practising artist with over 15 years experience as a painting and drawing tutor. Ochre works with students at their own level and pace and encourages them to discover their own interests and style in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere.
Classes have a limit of 14 students so everyone gets individual attention.
Materials List
Art materials are not included in the course fee. Students will need to bring the following items:
- Canvas, canvas paper, wooden boards or canvas wrapped over cardboard as a ‘support’ to paint on. Through the term you will need around 3-4 supports. Bring an art journal (a5/4) and one support, minimum 14” x18″ for the first class. These may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop or Office Works.
- An A4/5 art journal, 2B pencil, willow charcoal and rubber for sketching out ideas
- A selection of 3-4 filbert brushes small, medium and large size. A large glue brush for painting grounds is also useful.
- A flat plastic or wooden palette (no wells)- An A3 size or bigger rectangular shape is best
- Palette knife, diamond shape medium size – metal is best
- Rags, bull dog clips, apron, masking tape
- Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on preference.
A good basic colour palette includes:
- Cadmium hue yellow light (warm) and lemon yellow (cool)
- Ultramarine Blue (red) and phthalo blue (green)
- Cadmium Red Hue (warm) and Alizarin Red (cool)
- Burnt Umber
- Titanium White
- Extras – ochre yellow, burnt sienna, viridian green.
You can buy student quality paints (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Langridge/Art Spectrum oils are good, reasonably priced brands). Very cheap paints are a waste of money! At least buy a good quality white.
Cadmium colours are more expensive, and it is perfectly ok to bring ‘hue’ from this range eg Cadmium yellow light (hue) or a warm yellow or warm red instead of the cadmiums.
If using Oil Paints:
You will need odourless solvent for cleanup and mixing mediums. A 250ml bottle is a good size for starters. 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 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.
Do not bring turpentine based solvents to class – they are extremely toxic
Mediums – You can mix your own medium with 1/3 refined linseed oil, 1/3 stand oil (heated linseed that drys faster) and 1/3 solvent. You do not need medium for your first few classes. Premixed mediums often have toxic dryers in them unless you buy from the Gamblin range.
If using Acrylic Paints:
Medium – Bring a general purpose flow medium.
Art supply stores
- Art on King in Newtown (good discount card)
- Parkers in the Rocks
- The Art Scene in Ryde (good online shopping)
- The Sydney Art Store in Botany (good online shopping)
Equipment supplied
Toilets with disabled access, hall also has disabled access
Easels and backing boards
Tables, drop sheets
Some source material
Kitchen facilities with fridge, microwave, coffee/tea, milk, mugs
Wednesday Evening Painting and Drawing
Term 1 2025- 6 Places available
Time – 6.30-9pm, 2.5 hours, 8 weeks, 20 hours total
Dates – Wednesday 5 February – 26 March 2025
Cost – $480 inc gst and stripe fee (current students get 5% early bird discount)
What you will learn
This painting class is for students who are beginners to more experienced who would like to develop their painting skills while developing their own painting style. Professional artist and experienced tutor Ochre Lawson will lead students in structured classes that explore different concepts and
techniques inspired by historical and contemporary artists. A range of subject matter will be explored including still life, the landscape, interior, figure, portraiture, abstraction and expressionistic concepts with opportunity for students to work on their own projects and interests.
Students may use oil or acrylic paints in this relaxing and supportive class.
This class is aimed at beginners to more experienced students.
Fundamental skills in painting will be explored through structured classes facilitated by experienced tutor and professional artist Ochre Lawson.
Over the term you will learn:
- How to set up a palette, about brushes, mediums and clean up for both oil and acrylic
- Learn about composition and drawing compositional sketches
- Learn to mix tone and colour in paint
- Fundamental colour theory
- Learn how to create depth through both linear and arial perspective
- Learn different approaches to paint application and brush mark (wet in wet, building thicker paint layers (impasto), glazing with transparent colours and more)
- Take inspiration from a range of historical and contemporary artists and their approach to painting
- Explore different subject including Still life, Portraits, Interiors, en plein air painting – natural and urban landscape and many others.
Ochre Lawson is a professional artist with over 15 years experience as a painting and drawing tutor. Ochre works with students at their own level and pace and encourages them to discover their own interests and style in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere.
Materials List
Art materials are not included in the course fee. Students will need to bring the following items:
- Canvas, canvas paper, wooden boards or canvas wrapped over cardboard as a ‘support’ to paint on. Through the term you will need around 3-4 supports. Bring an art journal (a5/4) and one support, minimum 14” x18″ for the first class. These may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop or Office Works.
- An A4/5 art journal, 2B pencil, willow charcoal and rubber for sketching out ideas
- A selection of 3-4 filbert brushes small, medium and large size. A large glue brush for painting grounds is also useful.
- A flat plastic or wooden palette (no wells)- An A3 size or bigger rectangular shape is best
- Palette knife, diamond shape medium size – metal is best
- Rags, bull dog clips, apron, masking tape
- Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on preference.
A good basic colour palette includes:
- Cadmium hue yellow light (warm) and lemon yellow (cool)
- Ultramarine Blue (red) and phthalo blue (green)
- Cadmium Red Hue (warm) and Alizarin Red (cool)
- Burnt Umber
- Titanium White
- Extras – ochre yellow, burnt sienna, viridian green.
You can buy student quality paints (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Langridge/Art Spectrum oils are good, reasonably priced brands). Very cheap paints are a waste of money! At least buy a good quality white.
Cadmium colours are more expensive, and it is perfectly ok to bring ‘hue’ from this range eg Cadmium yellow light (hue) or a warm yellow or warm red instead of the cadmiums.
If using Oil Paints:
You will need odourless solvent for cleanup and mixing mediums. A 250ml bottle is a good size for starters. 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 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.
Do not bring turpentine based solvents to class – they are extremely toxic
Mediums – You can mix your own medium with 1/3 refined linseed oil, 1/3 stand oil (heated linseed that drys faster) and 1/3 solvent. You do not need medium for your first few classes. Premixed mediums often have toxic dryers in them unless you buy from the Gamblin range.
If using Acrylic Paints:
Medium – Bring a general purpose flow medium.
Art supply stores
- Art on King in Newtown (good discount card)
- Parkers in the Rocks
- The Art Scene in Ryde (good online shopping)
- The Sydney Art Store in Botany (good online shopping)
Equipment supplied
Toilets with disabled access, hall also has disabled access
Easels and backing boards
Tables, drop sheets
Some source material
Kitchen facilities with fridge, microwave, coffee/tea, milk, mugs
January Summer School
Suitable for complete beginners to students with more experienced
Time – 10am – 3.30pm
Dates –
20/21/22 January – 3 day workshop for Beginners – 6/12 places available
23/24 January – 2 day workshop for more experienced – 6/12 places available
Venue – St Johns the Evangelist Church Hall, Birchgrove
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.
