Watercolour Botanical Illustration and Natural History Painting WORKSHOPS – 2023
Looking back at the beginning of the last workshops post for 2022, its quickly clear how far weve moved forwards from that time. It sure is nice to look ahead into 2023 and feel a clearer path ahead! Theres lots to look forward to and weve started the ball rolling with optimism, scheduling the start of our exciting painting workshop plans for 2023. I now have the year aheads calendar confirmed for you to consider with Realistic Watercolour and Botanical/Natural Science Illustration events on offer in Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Newcastle.
I update this post regularly with new workshop events, information and updates as things unfold so dont forget to check back here to stay up to date. We are now taking bookings for anything listed in this post so follow the links in each event to learn more from each of my awesome booking agents and secure your place in 2023’s calendar. If youre worried about missing out on any new opportunities, youre best to get in touch with Artable Studio and Bienarté to stay in the loop of whatever is on offer. They are amazing humans offering amazing experiences to anyone wanting to get their creative on. Ive worked with both businesses for years now and I can strongly recommend them both to you.
In summary, I offer a handful of masterclass painting workshops both here in Australia and abroad a year. Events run between 2 to 5 days as a rule, offering both general intensive workshops to luxury painting retreats. I primarily teach realistic watercolour and botanical illustration, venturing into the broader genre of Natural History / Natural Science Illustration regularly as well. This incorporates illustrations of any living thing, from botanical to birds, insects, animals, reptiles, sea life and beyond. Its an endlessly fascinating, enriching and challenging genre to explore in a gorgeous medium that is for sure. If this sounds like you, take a look at whats on offer, let us know if youd like to join us and I will see you along the way.
News Flash…. shhhhh…. Artable and I have greater plans for later in 2023 too. Its all still in the planning and workings stage, but we have an incredible 10 day painting retreat on our minds, and were working on making that happen for you too. We are so excited about the possibility and possibilities of this, its going to be wonderful! There will be more on this in due course so stay tuned for that opportunity for sure ❤️
2022’s Painting RETREAT in Bay Of Fires, Tasmania… WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!
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Whats on the 2023 workshop table…? so many things!!!
Event dates and info is in the flyer for each… Just follow the links in each listing for bookings and more information
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melbourne, victoria
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Small Birds In Watercolour Workshop – FEBRUARY 2023 – CONCLUDED
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
This event will be held in Melbourne over two days with Artable Studio. Exploring the subject, we will learn more about the intricacies of small bird illustration, the watercolour medium, relevant rendering techniques and some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in this challenging, beautiful area of natural history painting.
The exact subject will be determined closer to the event date. Small bird illustration often explores both pigment rich wash and pigment poor wash, fine detail and creating texture. Dont worry if youre new to small bird illustration, I work with everyone to fill the knowledge gaps, to help you progress to the next step and to make sure youre learning from very sound foundations towards independent painting.
This event coincides with a three day Botanical Painting Workshop, both with Artable. Come for 1 or stay for two. Ill post more on the 3 day botanical event shortly, but it is open for bookings too. Im looking forward to Melbourne again and wed love to have you along.
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Botanical Illustration – Dahlia In Watercolour Workshop – FEBRUARY 2023 – CONCLUDED
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
This event will be held in Melbourne over three days with Artable Studio. Exploring the subject of dahlias, we will learn more about the botanical illustration, the watercolour medium, improved wash quality, layering, colour use and creating texture… all the relevant rendering techniques, along with some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in this challenging, beautiful area of natural history painting.
The exact dahlia subject we will focus on will be determined closer to the event date, and the options are pretty amazing and endless! Dont worry if youre new to watercolour or botanical illustration, I work with everyone to fill the knowledge gaps, to help you progress to the next step and to make sure youre learning from most solid foundations possible.
This event coincides with a two day Bird Painting Workshop listed above, both with Artable. Come for 1 or stay for two, its going to be a fun week of learning and painting and we look forward to having you along.
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Botanical and Small Bird Illustration In Watercolour Workshop – FEBRUARY 2023 – CONCLUDED
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
This is the 5 day combined event covering both the Small Birds Illustration and the Botanical Illustration events outlined above. Yes, in 2023 were giving you 2 day, 3 day or 5 day options in all locations to help you find just the right balance for you. This event will be held in Melbourne over five days with Artable Studio. Exploring the subject of dahlias for the botanical illustration component and small birds for the other.
We will learn more about botanical illustration, bird illustration, the watercolour medium, improved wash quality, layering, colour use and creating texture/s relevant to our chosen subjects. This painting workshop offers you a broad overview exploring many facets within Natural Science Illustration.
Again, dont worry if youre new to watercolour or Natural History Illustration, I work with everyone to fill the knowledge gaps, to help you progress to the next step and to make sure youre learning from most solid foundations possible and Im looking forward to helping you pursue, progress and produce your best work!
See my blog post on this event
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queensland – Sunshine coast – brisbane
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Small Birds In Watercolour Workshop – MARCH 2023 – CONCLUDED
SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND
This event will be held in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland over three days with Bienarté. Exploring the subject, we will learn more about the intricacies of small bird illustration, the watercolour medium, relevant rendering techniques and some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in this challenging, beautiful area of natural history painting.
The exact subject will be determined closer to the event date but we will likely cover 2 different small birds over this workshop.
Small bird illustration often explores both pigment rich wash and pigment poor wash, fine detail and creating texture. Dont worry if youre new to small bird illustration, I work with everyone to fill the knowledge gaps, to help you progress to the next step and to make sure youre learning from very sound foundations towards independent painting.
See my blog post on this event
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Bee Illustration In Watercolour Workshop – MARCH 2023 – CONCLUDED
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND
This event will be held in Brisbane over three days in Bienartés wonderful studio space. The bee study will align with my ongoing bee study series, with examples seen in Ashdene’s Lavender Fields range of homewares and in the Sydney Parks Signage Project The bee studies are 15cm illustrations rendered in watercolour. As a workshop, this subject strongly focusses on detail, dry brushing painting techniques and creating intricate detail in your work.
Exploring the subject, we will learn more about the intricacies of bee illustration, creating fine detail in the watercolour medium, relevant rendering techniques needed for such detailed subjects and some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in your work. The exact subject will be determined closer to the event date but we will cover 1 bee study over this workshop. Bee illustration is intensive work with lots to learn, so it will require a little time and focus, and an eye for detail… You know who you are! Dont let anything put you off this fabulous learning challenge, or worry if youre new to the genre, just bring a little patience and enthusiasm ill help you with the rest. Its nice to FINALLY be able to run this super popular course, (which was cancelled through covid) back by popular demand! So dont miss out as it is almost booked out before its announcement and Id love to have you along.
See my blog post on this event
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gold coast
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Butterfly Illustration Workshop – JUNE 2023 – CONCLUDED
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
This is a two day event held on the Gold Coast, focussing on butterfly illustration in watercolour. It is too long since we explored butterflies in a workshop event so now is the time to revisit this amazing subject. Im excited!
Depending on the complexity of our subjects, we will explore 2 to 3 butterfly subjects throughout this event. We will learn more about the watercolour medium, the rendering techniques needed to create detailed illustrations… mostly dry brushing for fine detail, and some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in your work overall. The exact subject/s will be determined closer to the event date but the event will be carefully crafted to maximise your exposure, knowledge and learning about this fantastic medium and genre.
Dont worry about being a beginner, I work with everyone to progress you to the next place of learning, no matter where you currently sit. We all start somewhere and this is a brilliant subject to explore. This event coincides with a three day FROG painting workshop which will be such fun, I am sure. Come for one event, stay for two, theres something for everyone in this Gold Coast visit, hosted by Artable Studio.
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Frog Illustration Workshop – JUNE 2023 – CONCLUDED
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
This is a three day event held on the Gold Coast, focussing on fantastic frog illustration in watercolour… Frog illustration is certainly not new to me in my day to day work, but it is a new area for me to cover in workshops which is exciting! Depending on the complexity of our subjects, we will explore one, possibly two frog subjects throughout this event which coincides with the 2 day Butterfly workshop listed above. Pick one or come for the full 5 days and have fun with us, the choice is yours.
We will learn more about the watercolour medium, colour use, the rendering techniques needed to create detailed, textural frog illustrations, as well as some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in your work overall. The exact subject/s will be determined closer to the event date but the event will be carefully crafted to maximise your exposure, knowledge and learning about this fantastic medium and genre. Dont worry about being a beginner, I work with everyone to progress you to the next place of learning, no matter where you currently sit. We all start somewhere so join us on this Gold Coast visit, hosted by Artable Studio. Im really looking forward to it
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Butterflies and Frog Illustration Workshop – JUNE 2023 – CONCLUDED
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
This is a five day event option combining the two above workshops. Thats right, were giving you the option of 2, 3 or 5 days of awesome tutoring with all Artable events Im holding this year. Theres lots to learn in this fabulous mix of focal subjects and were very excited to put them on offer to you for 2023.
Held on the Gold Coast with Artable Studio, we will explore many aspects of managing the watercolour medium, creating realistic natural history illustrations of butterflies and frogs over the 5 days with these focal subjects. We will learn more about the medium, materials, processes, colour use, the rendering techniques needed to create these artworks, as well as some very practical strategies to help you achieve better outcomes in your work overall.
The exact subject/s will be determined closer to the event date but the event will be carefully crafted to maximise your exposure, knowledge and learning about this fantastic medium and genres. Dont worry about being a beginner, I work with everyone to progress you to the next place of learning, no matter where you currently sit and were looking forward to having you along.
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KINGFISHER ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP – NOVEMBER 2024 – CONCLUDED
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
Following our lovely Yellow Robin, Small Bird Illustration Workshop in February, Gillian and I got talking about running a special ‘by request’, ie student suggested 3 day painting workshop on KINGFISHER ILLUSTRATION in Melbourne this November… Now its happening! Thats the good news, however this event is close to booked out within hours of announcing it on my social media, so if you do want to join me, get in touch with @Artable to book/secure your spot in the workshop without delay. If it is full, ask them to pop your name down on the wait list to be sure youll grab any places that may become available.
Itll be a challenging, beautiful subject to work with, but plenty of fun with so much to learn! Im really looking forward to working with you on this wonderful 3 day event.
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whats coming in 2024?
RETREAT ~ NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
TASMANIA
Well, we are at that time of the year when we start planning events and workshops for the year to come. As many of you know, Gillian @Artable Studio has been crazy busy at work realising yet another arts dream, renovating an old pub in the beautiful NE wilderness of Tasmania in view of building a hub, community and base for our teaching and painting workshop experiences. Its going to be fabulous. I know this because Ive already been down and seen it for myself and we are very excited to finally schedule our first retreat there, set for February 2024. Places will be limited for this amazing, completely unique, wonderfully creative, all in-house experience exploring nature, a range of natural history illustration subjects from field to studio, and the watercolour medium… so if youd like to be one of the first to come along and join us for this immersive wilderness, art and painting workshop, let Gillian know now so we can secure you a spot there too. Artables email address is info@artable.com.au
UPDATE – This event will be open for bookings shortly. I will return with the booking link very soon… Gosh, its so exciting! I cant even wait for this!
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So those are the first Botanical and Natural History Illustration workshops to be announced for the calendar for 2023. Ill be meeting with Gillian from Artable next week when we will no doubt start discussing our ideas for our next collaboration too. Its early days of dipping toes into the new year… but things are already moving fast! Ill post any updates as soon as I can so stay tuned, get in touch (follow the links provided in each event listing) if one event feels like a good fit for you come and join us in the fun!
DONT FORGET THESE ONLINE PAINTING TUTORIALS ARE AVAILABLE
For those unable to come along to a face to face event this time, dont forget I have a handful of in depth botanical painting tutorials available online. You might enjoy getting on board with me there, all in the comfort of your own home 🙏🏻