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 Sunday workshops are aimed at students who are keen to explore art with a one day taster class or students who are unable to commit to a full 8 week term. The workshops have a maximum of 12 students which ensures students get quality time with the tutor.
Enrol below for upcoming workshops or click here for future workshops and dates.
Owner and main tutor Ochre Lawson is a professional artist and experienced tutor of up to 20 years having trained at the prestigious National Art School and has her Certificate 1V in training and assessing adults. Ochre is a clear communicator with a structured program taking students step by step through theory and concepts of making art.
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 2026 – Dates and venue TBA.
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.
Current Workshops
Introduction to Drawing and Painting a still life – for beginners to more experienced
Date and Time
Sunday February 23, 2025
10am - 3.30pm
Venue
Annandale Community Centre, Back Hall, 79 Johnston St, Annandale
Cost
$200 (materials excluded) or $220 (including materials) GST and Stripe fee inclusive
Overview
In this fun and challenging one day workshop students will learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting from observation with a still life as subject matter. Students may use either acrylic or oil paint. Students will learn how to draw and paint from observation using a limited palette. Master artists will be referenced and experienced tutor Ochre Lawson will demonstrate different painting and drawing techniques. Ochre is a professional artist of more than 15 years whose approach to teaching is structured with demonstrations of techniques and step-by-step instructions .
You will learn about:
- how to draw and paint from observation
- how to measure basic proportions
- how to see and paint tone
- How to use a variety of brush marks
- About historical and contemporary artists
- How to set up a painting palette, basic colours, brushes and materials
Materials List:
Unless you have paid for art materials they are not included in the workshop fee. Students will need to bring the following items:
- Canvas support, canvas paper or Board to paint on, minimum 14” x 18″ for the workshop. This may be cheap canvas from a $2 shop.
- An A4 art journal or 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), do not bring pallets with wells, these are for watercolour. If you dont have a palette just bring an old big plate.
- Rags, Apron
- Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on
preference.
Pigment colours - Ochre Yellow and Primary yellow or Cadmium yellow light hue
- Red – Cadmium red hue, or Vermillion red, or warm red
- Burnt Sienna
- Ultramarine Blue
- Titanium White;
- Please buy ‘student quality’, not kids paints (Matisse Derivan Acrylics or Art Spectrum oils are good, reasonably priced brands). Cheap paints are a waste of money!
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.
You can buy materials at your local art store. Here are a few suggestions.
Equipment List:
Facilities provided by Art Class Sydney
- Easels and backing boards
- Tables, drop sheets
- water containers for acrylic paint
- bulldog clips
- Still life set up
- Kitchen facilities with fridge, microwave, coffee/tea, milk, mugs
- Toilets
- Disabled access
- Street parking
Introduction to Drawing and Painting Portraits
Date and Time
Sunday March 23, 2025
10am - 3.30pm
Venue
Annandale Community Centre - Back Hall
Cost
$200 inc gst(materials excluded), or $220 inc gst (materials included)
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:
- Canvas, canvas paper or Board to paint on. Bring one support, minimum 12” x 16″ 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
Introduction to Painting and Drawing the Landscape
Date and Time
Sunday April 6, 2025
10am-3.30pm
Venue
Annandale Neighbourhood Centre - Back Hall
Cost
$200 inc gst (materials excluded), $220 inc gst (materials included)
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 landscape artists throughout 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:
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 12″ x 16″ 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, do not bring a palette with wells, they are for watercolour)
Rags, Apron
Paints: Students may use Oils or acrylics depending on
preference.
- A mid/primary yellow or Cadmium yellow hue
- 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 thinning paint. 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
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.
