Spend a relaxing and inspiring day exploring the colours, textures and atmosphere of the Australian bush using acrylic paint. This workshop is designed for beginners through to more experienced painters who want to loosen up their painting style while learning practical techniques.

The morning begins with enjoyable drawing and painting exercises that develop observation skills and confidence. Students will explore different tree trunks, bark textures, eucalyptus leaves, branches, colour mixing and brush techniques. These studies become a reference library that can be used during the afternoon painting.

After lunch, students will combine everything they have learned to create a complete Australian bush landscape featuring winding paths, gum trees, filtered sunlight and rich native foliage. Demonstrations are provided throughout the day together with individual guidance.

Students will leave with greater confidence using acrylics, improved drawing skills and a finished painting ready to frame. Suitable for adults and seniors with little or no previous experience.

Course Outline:

9.30–10.00

• Introduction
• Looking at Australian bush references
• Understanding composition
• Warm-up sketching

10.00–10.45
Exercise 1 – Drawing Trees
Students practise drawing:

• young gum trees
• old twisted trunks
• branches
• tree silhouettes
• negative spaces

using charcoal and pencil

10.45–11.30
Exercise 2 – Leaves and Brush Marks
Students experiment with:

• eucalyptus leaves
• leaf clusters
• dry brush
• stippling
• sponge textures
• fan brushes
• palette knife textures

Morning Tea

11.45–12.45
Exercise 3 – Colour Mixing
Create an Australian bush colour chart:

• warm greens
• cool greens
• olive greens
• greys
• tree bark colours
• distant blues
• shadows
• sunlight colours

12.45–1.00
Mini landscape studies
Paint two or three postcard-sized bush scenes using the morning techniques.

Lunch

1.45–2.00
Planning the final composition

• choosing focal point
• balancing light and dark
• creating depth
• transferring drawing

2.00–4.00
Final Painting
Students complete an Australian bush landscape using:

• atmospheric perspective
• layered foliage
• expressive brushwork
• highlights
• shadows
• finishing details

4.00–4.30
Group critique

• sharing artwork
• discussing techniques
• questions
• packing up

Learning Outcomes:

Students will:

• understand basic acrylic painting techniques
• improve observational drawing skills
• learn to paint Australian trees and foliage
• confidently mix natural landscape colours
• understand composition and perspective
• create depth using colour and tone
• complete an original Australian bush painting
• gain confidence in expressive brushwork

What to Bring:

• Led pencils/rubbers/sharpener
• Paint brushes – flat brushes large and small
• Paint brushes – round brushes large and small
• Plastic knifes to use as Palette knifes

About the tutor:

'Valerie Dixon is an experienced artist, art educator and Lifestyle & Leisure professional with over 10 years of teaching art at St George & Sutherland Community College (SGSCC). Originally from France, she studied fine art in France, London and Australia and is currently continuing her studies at the National Art School in Sydney.

Valerie enjoys helping beginners and developing artists build confidence through fun, practical workshops that combine drawing, colour mixing and expressive painting techniques. Her teaching style is relaxed, supportive and encouraging, with demonstrations and individual guidance throughout the day. Inspired by the Australian landscape and Impressionist painters, she encourages students to observe nature closely while developing their own creative style and completing artwork they can be proud to take home.'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.