Line, Light and Space

An introduction to drawing for beginners

 The journey to fine art begins with a keen interest, a bit of knowledge and a few important skills.

 Learning how to draw has been an aspiring artist’s first step for hundreds of years. Today, it’s a foundation course for most art colleges.

 Fortunately, drawing is an acquired skill that everyone can do with a little knowledge and a bit of practice.

 Many professions use drawings to communicate ideas; interior design, fashion, architects, graphic arts, marketing to name a few.  Most students begin their training with very limited drawing abilities but over a semester or two become very proficient. 

 Using simple tools we will explore how line, light and space work together to express your visual ideas.  We’ll practice basic skills and explore the wide range that combining ink and pencil offers the artist.

 Whether you want to just sketch for fun or make better paintings, this workshop will help you get your ideas on paper. 

 We will look at:

 ·     How lines give shape and much more to a drawn object

·      How light falling on objects is “managed” to best show form and create a mood

·      How space is created by perspective and composition

 As an introductory course, our objective is to get you started in the right direction.  We’ll look at recognized master artworks to see what they did and identify key principles embedded in good art. 

 We’ll also talk about some next steps that you could take to continue your artistic journey.

 We’ll send you a supply list before the workshop.

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book or click on the contact feature contact

GAYE ADAMS “Waves and water - the west coast seascape

I have had so much interest in this particular subject over the years - however, I don’t think that we have ever run a workshop dealing specifically with this subject.

. . . well here it is - and you are getting the very best - Gaye Adams will be guiding you through the process of painting waves and water in oil and acrylics. The workshop will be open to both mediums, but Gaye is an oil painter and she will be demonstrating in oils.

Please call the studio to register 604-250-5562 or email denecroft@gmail.com

Sat 13th and Sun 14th, 10 am until 4pm both days

Cost: $280 incl. taxes for the weekend

Paints:

Titanium White

Ultramarine Blue

Prussian Blue (for acrylicists only)

Cadmium Red, light

Cadmium Red medium (for acrylicists only)

Cadmium Yellow light

Pthalo Blue

Transparent Earth Red or Transparent Red Iron Oxide

Yellow Ochre

Alizarin Crimson

Brushes:

Bring an assortment of flat or bright bristle brushes for oil painters, or synthetics for acrylicists.

Sizes: 2,4,6,8,10.  It will go easier for you if the brushes are well shaped, springy and good quality.

Medium:  Just Gamsol for oil painters;  Glazing liquid and water for acrylicists

Disposable palette, 11X14 or 12X16

Photo references:  provided by instructor

Good quality bendable metal palette knife

Paper towels for cleaning brushes

Canvases:  Please bring only small canvases 2-3 8X10 or 9X12 - please NO LARGER

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL DEMOS WILL BE IN OILS, SO IF YOU HAVE OILS YOU SHOULD USE THEM INSTEAD OF ACRYLICS.

“dramatic skies- the impressionistic west coast landscape in acrylic"

Join impressionistic painter Dale Byhre for two days of acrylic fun exploring the drama and complexity of the west coast landscape

If your goal is to loosen your style and create dramatic skies and idyllic west coast landscapes , then this is the workshop for you.

10 am until 4pm both days

Saturday March 16th and Sunday March 17th

Please call the studio at 6042505562 to book, or register by email using the contact feature on the home page.

$280 including taxes for the weekend

“Colour in the acrylic landscape” - with JANICE ROBERTSON

Do skies always need to be blue? Do rocks always need to be grey? This workshop will focus on how to see the colour that’s "almost there" and get creative with your landscape colour choices. Unexpected colour is a great way to juice up your paintings and go beyond copying a photograph.

Day one will start with a group critique of work from home- maximum of 2 pieces per person. Any medium or subject matter is ok for the critique.

$280 including taxes for the weekend

Please use the contact link register, or call the studio at 604-250-5562

Supplies

 artist quality acrylic paint : titanium white, hansa yellow medium, quinacridone red, ultramarine blue and pthalo blue [green shade]. 

synthetic brushes- minimum 1 small round, 1, 1/2 & 1/4 inch flats

large palette to hold your paint

at least 2 canvases- suggested sizes 12 x 16 or 16 x 20

spray bottle for water

Golden acrylic glazing liquid in gloss or satin [ suggested]

paper towels and tissues

large water container

garbage bag to protect table

apron or paint shirt

Jay Senetchko . . .January 6th and 7th 2024

Jay Senetchko is a storyteller, who uses his representational narrative art as a vehicle for social commentary and criticism. He is most easily defined as a painter, although he situates his practice in a broader material context and process, which includes photography, digital media, sculptures, performance and installations. His spectacle-based exhibitions are an effort to insert fine art back into the social fabric by engaging the public at large, not only the academic and invested.

Course Description: Painting from Life in Oil

Figurative artist Jay Senetchko has been teaching and exhibiting figurative artwork for

over two decades. His upcoming course shares the knowledge and experience

he has accrued over that time. Senetchko will demonstrate palette set-up for skin tones,

mixing colour and colour theory, a variety of painting techniques, the methodology of

paint application, as well as the necessary drawing and anatomical knowledge to make

the painting process easier. This information will be delivered through the development

of two paintings: one portrait, and one full-figure. Both will have 2 full classes dedicated

to their development and completion. This course has great information for the novice

and experienced painter alike, in their pursuit of painting the figure and painting from life

In Senetchko’s primary medium of oil on canvas he operates as a figurative realist creating narrative-based paintings and metaphorical still-life. His subject matter, featuring elements of his personal history, contemporary life, topical subject matter, and historical references exposes his interests in theory, history, politics, and contemporary concerns. Through these vehicles it is his intention to comment on and critique the present, reveal historical parallels, provoke thoughtful approaches to the future, and to integrate art and life.

COMPOSITION AND VALUES IN THE LANDSCAPE 

This workshop is designed for beginners and intermediate students - all mediums welcome. Ann will be working in oils 

This workshop will focus on composition and values in landscape painting. Making sure you have a great composition before you start your painting is the key to success in your work. We will be talking about different aspects of design , lineal and atmospheric perspective, as well as values in your painting..  

We will be doing some composition exercises in the morning, then working on a painting together for the first day. I will be bringing a reference photo for everyone to work on. The second day will be your choice of subject matter – please bring photo references. 

Saturday November the 4th and Sunday November the 5th - 10am until 4pm

Cost . . .$280.00 including gst.

Please call the studio to register 604-2505562 - or use the contact feature on the main page to register or simply email Denecroft@gmail.com

West Coast Scenes in Watercolour

Saturday July 8th and Sunday July 9th 10am until 4pm both days

Join master watercolorist James Koll for two days of immersive instruction in the fundamentals of the west coast landscape in watercolour

Watercolour is an ideal medium to capture the light and atmosphere of the BC West Coast. This workshop will  focus on developing and strengthening the fundamental skills of watercolour painting while exploring strategies to bring marine landscapes to life. It will include demonstrations and plenty of one-on-one instruction as students complete at least one finished painting.

$280 including taxes .

Please call the studio at 604-2505562 to register, or use the contact feature on the main page

An eight week course in watercolour painting with renowned master watercolourist Javid Tabatabataei

Two consecutive four week blocks, every Wednesday evening between 7 and 9.30. Wednesday June 7th through Wednesday August 9th.

$280 per registrant for one month, and $480 for both both months

Please call the studio to register 604-2505562 or use the contact feature on the main page, or simply email denecroft@gmail.com

7 until 9.30 pm every Wednesday commencing Wednesday June 7th and ending August 9th

“The elements of landscape in acrylics” - with Janice Robertson

Saturday May 6th and Sunday May 7th, 2023

This workshop will present techniques for painting the basics of a landscape- tree, rocks

and water. There will be a prepared demo and lots of one on one coaching.

Students have the option to follow the demo image, or paint from their own reference.

Techniques covered will include blocking in, layering, glazing, brushwork and positive

and negative painting.

There will be a group critique on the first day where students can bring work from home

for feedback. Any subjects or mediums are welcome for this.

call the studio at 6042505562 to book, or follow this link to email your registration https://www.denecroft.com/contact-dene-croft

$280 including taxes

Gaye Adams “Catching the light”

This course will explore how to capture the ineffable quality of light in painting. In getting all color, value, and temperature relationships correct we, as painters, can create the wonderful illusion of light with mere pigments on canvas.

We will be working from photo references.  I will provide some but students are also welcome to bring a few of their own.   We will be working small, no larger than 8x10 in order to get several paintings completed during the workshop. If you have challenges getting the light to "read" in your paintings, this is the workshop for you.

Open to acrylic and oil painters - suitable for advanced beginners and intermediate painters

Saturday July 29th and Sunday July 30th, 10am until 4pm both days

$280 including tax for the weekend. Please contact the studio at 6042505562 to book, or use the contact feature on the main page

" Taking your work to the next level - tricks and techniques of composition and colour""

This workshop will focus on developing compositional tricks and techniques, brush stroke technique, colour translation and palette building and colour mixing in acrylic and water soluble oil.

Using grey scale under paint and high chroma over paint, you will learn to create your frame ready masterpiece from a simple image.

Saturday and Sunday 10 am until 4pm . $280 including taxes for both days

Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, use the contact feature on the main page, or email denecroft@gmail.com to make you reservation

Modern impressionism with MARIA JOSENHANS

Loose, representational, expressive and a strong sensitivity to colour... these are the trademarks of Impressionism. In this weekend workshop you will build your repertoire of brushwork and paint application; you will expand your ability to use colour in a direct and creative way, and in doing so elevate your painting style. This workshop is geared towards landscape with an emphasis on atmosphere. Participants will work from their own photographs and/or plein air work.

This workshop is open to intermediate and advanced painters working in either oil or acrylic.

Please call the studio to book 6042505562, or use the contact feature in the link book now

$280 including taxes

Charlie Easton . . . The plein air method

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

The plein air method inside. Using photographs to make the best possible paintings in the studio. Charlie will show you what he looks for in a good photograph, how to plan for a painting in the studio, and how to bring a scene to life. Charlie will demo each day and then help you work at your own pace, with insightful tips that are relevant to your unique level and vision.

SaturdayNovember 12th, and Sunday November 13th, 10am until 4pm both days

$280 inclusive. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book. A supply list will be provided upon registration

The Four Colour Landscape in Acrylics

with Janice Robertson

Course Outline

 This workshop will explore the possibilities of working on a painting with a limited number of colours. This is an excellent way to learn about colour mixing- to understand about primary, secondary and neutral colours and to know why muddy colour sometimes occurs.

 Through instructor demos, a number of techniques will be presented, including blocking in, brushwork, glazing, and positive and negative painting. Reference photos will be available or participants can work from their own images.

Day one will start with a group critique of work from home- maximum of 2 pieces per person. Any medium or subject matter is ok for the critique.

$280 including taxes for the weekend

Please use the contact link register, or call the studio at 604-250-5562

Supplies

 artist quality acrylic paint : titanium white, hansa yellow medium, quinacridone red, ultramarine blue and pthalo blue [green shade]. 

synthetic brushes- minimum 1 small round, 1, 1/2 & 1/4 inch flats

large palette to hold your paint

at least 2 canvases- suggested sizes 12 x 16 or 16 x 20

spray bottle for water

Golden acrylic glazing liquid in gloss or satin [ suggested]

paper towels and tissues

large water container

garbage bag to protect table

apron or paint shirt

Dates: Saturday, October 1st & Sunday October 2nd 2022

Fee: $280

Location: Dene Croft Studios, 118 Pemberton Ave, North Van

To register: 604-250-5562

Times:  10am – 4pm (with ½ hour lunch)

Instructor: Lalita Hamill www.lalitahamill.com 

Course description:

“Eloquent” means to be able to express oneself clearly and well. Whether you want your paintings to have a soft, blended feel, or be full of energetic strokes and texture, or anything in between, there are key techniques to master. The way you move and use a brush contributes substantially to your artistic ‘style’ or ‘voice’. If your marks are heavy-handed, tentative, sloppy, unintentional, uninteresting, and/or overworked, you are not living up to your full artistic potential.

Those of you ready to take your brushwork and mark-making to the next level of expressiveness, Lalita will guide participants through a series of step by step demos and exercises, to be applied to small studies.

Main topics will include the following:

⦁ Choosing the right tool and grip for the look you want

⦁ Ensuring your paint is the appropriate consistency, and what to do when it isn’t

⦁ The benefits of using a light ‘touch’ and variety of strokes

⦁ Creating effective edges, including hard, soft, and lost

⦁ Mixing colour on the palette vs on the canvas

⦁ When to leave strokes alone

⦁ How to move the viewer’s eye with mark-making

⦁ Techniques such as dry brushing, blending and glazing

⦁ What to do when things go ‘sideways’

Supplies:

Regular oil or acrylic supplies (water soluble oils and open acrylics too)

Substrate: Canvas is preferable, and enough canvas to complete two small (8” x 10” or 11”x14”) studies, and a few exercises, which could be in the form of:

⦁ Loose gessoed canvas (cut into roughly 12”x16” pieces), or

⦁ Stretched canvas

⦁ Canvas boards (please add another 2 coats of gesso to be dry before class)

Colours: please have available 1 white, 3 yellow, 2 red, 2 blue, 1 umber (raw or burnt) & 1 black

Palette: if your palette is smaller than 12”x16”, you may need two – one for laying out paints and the other for mixing colour.

Brushes: the more, the better. Please use what you have, and ensure some are new enough that they will leave a clear mark.

Several photo reference images, or you can opt to use photos provided by Lalita, which will be provided upon registration.

Small palette knife for mixing paint.

Recommended:

That participants have 2 line drawings prepared on canvas (around 8x10 or 11x14) in advance so we can focus on brushwork rather than drawing accuracy. Watch Lalita’s video on how to transfer an image at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyd0ejTCLuE and subscribe for more free videos. *Please do not paint anything onto the canvas (other than gesso) before class.  

Acrylic painters are recommended to have a small bottle of Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid (see image below - matte, satin or gloss) because it has retarder in it and enhances viscosity and the creation of soft edges and long gestures.

Some kind of a ‘blender’ brush is recommended, especially for oil painters. Lalita prefers the series 444 1” blender brush from Rosemary & Co in the UK. https://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/blender-brushes

Paul Chizik “soft pastel atmospheric landscapes”

Working with Soft Pastel. Paul Chizik.

This course will explore the freshness and immediacy of Soft Pastel.

A medium used by Masters such as Degas and Monet amongst others.

We will explore many examples, discussions and demonstrations with the aid of

samples from Old Masters using this versatile medium.

Gain an in-depth understanding of the various techniques, applications, mark making,

layering and the use of materials associated with this rich and versatile medium, such

as the use of coloured grounds, various papers and the understanding of the different

consistencies and the different brands of pastels.

With a hands on approach and demonstrations throughout the course the artist will gain

a sound understanding and confidence of the use of this complex medium.

$280 for the two days. Please call the studio at 604-2505562 to book a place an easel for this workshop - or use the contact feature link register

ANN WILLSIE
Saturday, August 20th and Sunday August 21st 2022

This workshop will focus on using Atmospheric Perspective to give your paintings more depth. We will be looking at the effects of atmosphere on objects and how to obtain that effect in your paintings. We will talk about portraying distance by using less saturated colors, soft edges and using less contrast and detail. Demo will be a mountain scene using all the above tools.

This workshop is for advanced beginner, intermediate and advanced painters wanting to expand their skill set and flex their creative mettle. Ann Paints in oil, but acrylic and oil painters are welcome.

$280.00, 10 am until 4.30 pm both days.
Please call 604-250-5562 or email the studio through the register link register

Still Life in Oil or Acrylic

Dates: Sat/Sun May 28-29, 2022

Time: 10 am until 4pm both days

Description:

Improving your ability to paint still life from life will take your artistic practice to a new level. Rather than painting what a camera sees, or what you think you see, you will train your eye to render what you actually see. Those with still life experience will develop their ability to paint what they know.

Lalita will begin by demonstrating how to compose a still life, followed by participants practicing with a variety of objects, backgrounds, and lighting. Lalita will then show how to render the shapes, perspective, proportion and space accurately using comparative measurements and mass notans. After participants have done the same and received feedback, Lalita will proceed with colour stages one and two while focusing on attaining a balance between accuracy and expression. Participants can expect to walk away with at least one completed painting, a handful of handouts, and an understanding of the benefits of painting still life.

Benefits include:

Accuracy without tightness

Improved observation and interpretation skills

Expressive brushwork and edges

Freedom from the distortions found in photography

Feeling good while painting

Confidence in your ability to recover when things go ‘sideways’

Transfer of skills into composing & rendering landscapes, portraits, figures and abstracts

Supplies:

Regular oil or acrylic supplies you already own, including brushes, paint, palette, mediums, containers, etc.

The only colour you will definitely need is either burnt sienna, burnt umber, raw umber or asphultum (oil).

Bring all the paints you have; however, if this is a lot then just bring 3 yellows, 3 reds, 3 blues, an umber or burnt sienna, titanium white, a black, and 3 favourites.

Note: acrylic painters will benefit from using Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid (gloss, satin or matte), which, unlike the regular acrylic medium, has retarder in it.

Knitting needle or brush with thin handle.

At least 3 gessoed canvases a variety of shapes and sizes (will only use one or two). Minimum 8” x 10”, max 14” x 18”

Cotton cloths (cut up T-shirt works well)

Camera (on phone is fine)

Pen and paper

Small mirror, like the ones sold to go in a locker (optional)

Freestanding light for your still life (optional…only if you have one already)

Note:

Though the instructor will provide objects to paint, participants are encouraged to bring objects they like from home, such as vases, pottery, statues, fruits and veggies, flowers, etc

Please contact the instructor at lalitahamill@gmail.com if you have any questions about this workshop.

$280 for the two days. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to reserve an easel, or use the contact feature on the main page

Introduction to Watercolour

Saturday, April 30, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Sunday, May 1st, 9.30am to 1.30pm

Instructor:  Fred Osther

To many people, watercolour seems “so hard”.  This one-day course will help you get started on the right path with an understanding of materials and techniques.

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Acrylic Painting Development Process with Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki . . . .cost $280 incl.taxes

"In this acrylic painting technique workshop, you will learn how to quickly develop rich color and surface in acrylic landscape paintings using a variety of mark-making techniques. Tatjana has a great way of presenting and a genuine willingness to share her unique practice of approaching a canvas and subject material. Her eye-opening process consists of under-painting, blocking, multi-layering, mark-making, and vibrant colour choices, which she illustrates with easy-to-follow, step-by-step demos. Adding this approach to your painting toolbox will improve your work and make it more exciting and enjoyable. The students should have some experience with acrylic paints."

Supply list:

 Several small and medium canvases or canvas boards (e.g. 11x14, 16x20, or similar)

 Acrylic artist's quality heavy-body paint: titanium white, cadmium yellow medium or light, ochre yellow, transparent red oxide, alizarin crimson or quinacridone red, cadmium red light, dioxazine purple, phthalo blue, phthalo green. Any other colors you have and like using.

 Flat or bright synthetic brushes in various sizes (from #4 to #12). Hog bristle brushes are not suitable for this workshop, but you can bring a few if you have them and are skillful in using them.

 One good large (2 inches wide) artist quality flat synthetic brush.

 Some filbert brushes and brushes of other shapes if you have them. Also, bring palette knives if you have them.

 Miscellaneous acrylic painting paraphernalia: palette, water sprayer, water container, soft cotton rags (important), paper towels.

 Bring a variety of photographs with scenes you would like to paint. I will also bring some to share.

first Part of DAY 1: Building Blocks

 Advantages of the acrylic medium that we will be using:

 Acrylic paint used without additives dries relatively quickly

 Subsequent layers do not compromise each other

 Acrylic paint can be applied, and marks made, with a multitude of tools

 Wide range of the paint viscosity can be used - very thick to very thin

 Exercise: Layering and mark-making 

• For this exercise, use cheap student-grade paint and scraps of canvas or small canvas boards

• Gather a variety of mark-making tools (brushes, knives, sticks, old credit cards, brush ends, etc.)

Pick a photo reference and select an area with a simple but interesting pattern (tree, clump of rocks, water pattern, few clouds, etc.)

Replicate a selected pattern using as many techniques as you can: applying and wiping off transparent paint, wet-in-wet, scraping off, scratching in, applying thick blobs, smudging, dragging, dry-brushing, calligraphy, etc. Have funRepeat this exercise with several different patterns. 

Second Part of DAY 1: Developing Texture in Landscape Painting 

This type of the painting process focusses on quickly developing rich textures. We will apply the building blocks that we just learned. In landscape painting, they translate to: 

1. Gestural brushstrokes to create interesting surfaces

2. Overlapping layers rather than painting around the shapes

3. Stopping often to assess the progress

4. Leaving the interesting marks alone

5. Make necessary changes on the go

6. Vary marks for different things

7. Develop the entire surface gradually 

Examples of subject matter that is fun to paint this way: 

• Foliage

• Clouds

• Mountain patterns

• Water patterns

• Rocks

• Bark

• Mostly anything found in nature 

Exercise: Paint a simple landscape scene from the provided photo reference 

Follow the demo, step by step.

Take the photo home and paint the scene again on your own time if you wish. Practice makes better!

 First Part of DAY 2: Assess and Expand

 Review and discuss the work done yesterday

Pick a photo reference for a more complex landscape painting

 Let's learn how to approach a more complex landscape painting using the process we practiced yesterday. The instructor's demo will cover:

 Colour and composition basics

Pigments, tools, and techniques

 Underpainting with thin transparent pigments 

1. Gestural block-in from darks to the lights 

2. Reinforcing the design (finding patterns) 

 Project: Paint a landscape scene of your choice 

Start working on your own from the provided photo reference on use your own. Try to follow the same painting process as the instructor. Use your own canvas or board, artist-quality paint, and your best tools for best results. 

Second Part of DAY 2: Completion and Recap 

1. Review progress and ask questions 

2. Refinement and completion. The instructor's demo will cover: 

   1. Refining shapes and colours 

   2. Refining darks and lights 

   3. Adding details 

Project: Continue working on your painting or start another one.

Feel free to take the provided reference material home and finish the pieces on your own.  

Optionally, we can have a quick critique session at the end of the class. 

November Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th

This workshop is most suitable for advanced beginners, intermediate and advanced level painters. Some experience is required. Open to acrylic and oil painters.

$280 for the two days.

A comprehensive supply list will be provided upon registration. Please use the contact feature on the home page to book, or call the studio at 604-250-5562

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

The contemporary portrait - Master techniques in 21st century portraiture. A two day workshop with Dene Croft exploring the methods and master techniques employed in building  portraits and figure studies in oil and acrylic.

This workshop deals principally with the palette and mixing flesh tones, the importance of under-paint - full instruction and demonstrations on building your portrait from the underpaint or Grisaille, to the finished piece  (. . . lots of hand holding - nobody gets left behind!) adding elements of abstraction to create mood and ambiance.

Cost . . . $280 including taxes

Bring your lunch (some refreshments supplied), your prepared canvas (gessoed and lightly sanded)  your brushes and palette and most importantly, a very clear 8x10 colour photo of your subject. We will provide the paint, mediums etc.

We will be covering topics from lighting and shooting your subjects, the importance of pre-studies, composition and preparing your canvas, incorporating other mediums into your portrait, mixing colour, setting up palette, Grisaille and other master techniques. We will also cover a little art history and discuss  the "rogues gallery" of history's portrait painters  . . .a bit of a whos-who;  an in-depth look at what they really got up to in their studios; their relationships with apprentices and popes, and the many and varied cheats, tricks and techniques that they employed in their painting.

Space will be limited to 10 artists so if you would like to book a place, phone the studio at 604-250-5562 and forward a cheque made out to Dene Croft in the amount of $280 and send to the studio no later than July 25th. . .
N.B . . . as we generally maintain a waiting list for this event, we must insist on early registration as we are no longer able to accept payments on the day of the workshop.

Truly one of the finest watercolour artists that I have ever met . . . Javid Tabatabaei.

Javid is truly a world class artist, and I am so happy to be hosting his first workshop in my studio, and following up over the next few years with weekly courses in watercolour painting . . . watch this space.

Rarely does an opportunity arise to learn from an artist of this caliber. Javid’s work speaks for itself - but he is not only a great artist - but also a great teacher. To be as accomplished at both making the art itself, and having the ability to effectively share your knowledge with others is a very rare thing.

Two days with this master class watercolour artist - July 17th and July 18th

$280 for the two days. A comprehensive supply list will be provided upon registration. Please use the “save a seat” function to book for this workshop, or use the contact feature on the main page

Our second workshop in animal portraiture - pet portraits in oil with Desiree Monsurate

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop.

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

Saturday June 26th and Sunday June 27th - Join us in celebrating our pets and take part in our second pet portrait workshop in oils and acrylics.

Desiree has both a passion for teaching and a passion for painting animals - This is the first workshop in this genre for the studio, and I couldn’t be happier that Desirée has agreed to teach it for us.

This workshop is best suited to student artists with limited experience - a little experience is helpful but most suited to intermediate and advanced beginner. Desirée paints in oils but oil and acrylic mediums are welcome.

Take a photo of your favourite pet and settle in for a two day immersive painting experience with Desirée - June 26th and 27th - all levels welcome but particularly suited to young painters and novice level painters.

$220 for the two days.

A supply list will be provided upon registration. Please use the contact feature on the main page to register, call the studio at 604-250-552, or send an email to denecroft@gmail.com.

registration cut off for this workshop is July 22nd 2021

Introduction to Watercolour

Saturday, October 12th, 2019, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Sunday, October 13th, 9.30am to 1.30pm

Instructor:  Fred Osther

To many people, watercolour seems “so hard”.  This one-day course will help you get started on the right path with an understanding of materials and techniques.

In meeting current recommended covid protocol, numbers will be strictly limited for this workshop. please read the covid page on the website before reserving a space in this workshop

https://www.denecroft.com/covid-19-and-the-studio

We are attracted to watercolour’s fluid nature, subtlety, spontaneity and radiance that comes from the medium’s transparency.  But these same characteristics seem to give the brush a mind of its own.  Often, our first attempts are not successful because the paintings appear weak in value and “muddy” in colour.

This short course will help you gain control.  We will explore how far to push darks, how to build contrast and saturated colours and at the same time make the hard or soft edges that are essential to any painting.

For each subject, we will develop a “plan” for layering, reserving whites and placing darks.  Successful watercolours are more often the result of “thinking ahead” because corrections, although possible, are hard to make without destroying freshness.

We will work with a simple set of materials; paper, 2 brushes and a few pigments.  I encourage you to purchase good quality items as the interaction of paper, water, pigment and brush is critical to success. A recommended supply list will be sent out a few weeks before the course.

Throughout the day, we will work on:

·      Techniques; wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, washes and glazing

·      How to control water

·      Colour mixing

·      Contrast through values and edges

·      Contrast through colour temperature

·      Watercolour with pencil or ink drawings.

Fred Osther: 

I have been drawing and painting almost all my life.  Over the past 10 years, I have had the luxury of pursuing a personal program of art instruction, mentoring and painting in watercolour and oils.  Many workshops with excellent instructors and courses at the Ontario College of Art, Toronto, Angel Academy of Art, Florence and Gage Academy of Art, Seattle provided a sound foundation particularly in drawing and watercolour.  Over the past 4 years, Dene Croft has guided me through the challenges of painting in oil and developing a professional art career.

I strongly believe art is an acquired skill like riding a bicycle.  It’s easy to forget the first steps we took.  After a few scrapes, we finally get past the driveway and onto busy streets.  Then it becomes second nature.

Many professions use art as a communication tool such as engineers, architects, interior designers, fashion designers and fine art students.  Most do not start their training already knowing how.  It takes lessons, often many…but they all get there and so can you.

All supplies needed for this workshop are provided by the studio. Total cost for the two days(including instructor fee, taxes and material costs) $240

Please call the studio @604-250-5562 to book, or use the contact feature on the home page