The contemporary portrait . . . “grisaille and master technique in 21st century portraiture . . .

The only portrait workshop that I will be teaching this year . . . this is going to be a gooder

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 grisaille and underpainting - building the tonal values before building 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 send an etransfer to denecroft@gmail.com, or forward a cheque made out to Dene Croft in the amount of $280 and send to the studio no later than March 20th

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.

MASTERING LIGHT AND COLOUR IN THE ACRYLIC LANDSCAPE

Two days with master acrylic artist

DAVID LANGEVIN

Learn everything you need to know to master acrylic painting and learn how David Langevin creates luminous  light and colour in his landscapes.

A workshop for intermediate to advanced painters. 

Mastering light and colour
 
Learn everything you need to know to master acrylic painting:  Do you have questions about the differences between oils and acrylics; which mediums to use; what quality or brand of paints are best; how to create great texture effects using gel mediums; which brushes are best for acrylics,... 
 
This workshop is designed for artists with some painting experience in oils, acrylics, or even watercolors.  Acrylic paints are relatively new and how to use them effectively is still a challenge for many artists.  Techniques that are successful when using oil paints or watercolors do not often yield good results when applied to acrylic paints.  This is because the physical and chemical properties of the synthetic acrylic paints are unique.  

In this workshop the focus will be on learning the specific properties of acrylics and how you can use them to achieve incredible luminousity and colour.  Emphasis will be on mastering the materials and skills to help you be a better painter.  You will learn to master the medium and effectively apply glazes, veils, and impasto layers of paint.  Painting demos will also be featured.

Come prepared to take notes, ask questions, and to paint.
 
Here is a list of the supplies you will need:  
-Acrylic paints, do not bring Golden Open acrylic paints.  Important: do not buy additional paints before the workshop, bring what you have.  If you have none, don’t bring any paints.
-Acrylic Gloss Medium (not ‘gel’), or Golden GAC 500 - do not bring Golden Glazing Liquid
-Dark pencil (3B-6B) or India Ink pen. 
-Large water container and rags
-paint brushes and palette
-4 inexpensive painting supports, approx. 16x20 (canvas or painting board)

$280 for the two days. Call the studio @604-250-5562 or use this link reserve a space

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 May 30th and Sunday May 31st, 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

This workshop is all about trees, starting with what to look for in your photos to create a good composition.   We will focus on the importance of the shapes and the values when starting your painting; creating a pleasing composition; blocking in the big graphic shapes; blocking in the shadows;  portraying trees in the distance; dealing  with clusters of leaves and the colour of bark  

On the first day I will be guiding everyone through a simple painting of trees , from start to finish. We will also be doing some colour studies and simple charts of greens. I will  be talking about what colours to use for shadow greens, sunlit greens and greens for distance.  

The second day will be your choice of photo reference. I will have lots of photos for everyone to use if you wish.  

suitable for all levels of ability and oil or acrylic medium

Ann will be doing a demo each morning,  followed by one-on –one instruction for all participants as you work on your own paintings.

Please phone the studio to make a reservation - 604-250-5562, or use the contact feature on the main page

Cost: $280 inclusive. Payments can be made in person, by mailing a cheque, or e-transfer to denecroft@gmail.com.

Colour for the plein air painter with MARIA JOSENHANS

COLOR FOR THE PLEIN AIR PAINTER

Painting outdoors requires massive decision making on the spot. The good news is, that if approached in a methodical way, these decisions don't have to be overwhelming!

In this workshop Maria will focus on color and introduce you to color tools that will bring harmony, a sense of place, and a unique feel to your plein air painting.

You will be working with limited palettes and taking a hard look at how it is the relationships of colors (warm/cool, dark/light, pure/desaturated) that ultimately determines the painting's success. 

Participants will be working from their own photographs and can expect to work on a minimum of three paintings throughout the course of the weekend.

This workshop is for Intermediate to Advanced painters working in oil or acrylic.

Class limited to 12

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

$280 including taxes

Expressive watercolours with watercolour master Reha Sakar

Two full days Saturday and Sunday

Overview

Art is all about interpretation. By playing with contrast and effects, you can create pieces that tell a story and immerse the viewer in the mood of a scene.

As Leonard Misonne said, the subject is nothing, light is everything. That's why we are going to explore the basics of values, light, and composition to create stories in our paintings.

In this course we will study and learn about the basic techniques and fundamentals of watercolors. Many people are intimidated by watercolors, they believe it is very hard. It is really not, you have to understand how they work and learn to go with the flow to be a good watercolor artist. We will study different subjects and learn how to capture mood and light. You will be working with a limited palette and stop worrying about colors.

This workshop is suitable for beginner and intermediate artists. Even if you are an advanced painter you will find useful things to improve your watercolors.

$280.00 incl. tax for the weekend Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, or e-mail denecroft@gmail.com

" 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

“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 Feb 28th and Sunday March 1st

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.

10am until 4pm - doors open at 9am

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

The impressionistic floral . . . with Shirley-Claire Williams

“The impressionistic floral” . . .Shirley-Claire Williams

SOLD OUT - waitlist open

Painting flowers needn’t be overwhelming! Join me as we search for the flower’s essence and find ways to calm the inherent complexities through smart design choices and personal styling. I will be demonstrating and guiding you as we each develop our own individual paintings FROM LIFE using in-season cut and/or potted flowers. A full materials list will be sent to you closer to the workshop date. Max class size is set at 10, so you’ll get lots of ‘me’ time! I paint in oils, but if you are proficient in acrylic, you are welcome to work in that medium as well. 

This will be fun!

To reserve a space in this workshop, please call the studio at 604-250-5562, or use the contact link book a space

$280 including taxes for the two days

“Painting the air” with Gaye Adams

Saturday, December 6th and Sunday December 7th

$280.00 including taxes

Course description:

If you're like me, creating a sense of authenticity in painting is important.  As a representational landscape painter, I find being able to create a sense of distance, light, time of day and atmosphere is key in making a painting resonate for others, and I truly enjoy the alchemy of creating that illusion convincingly on canvas.

"Painting the Air" will teach you how to paint things through the layers of the atmosphere so you can create a sense of space in your paintings.  Nuanced mixtures are the key - desaturating and cooling mixtures to get them to read, to "sit" where they belong.  It's a perfectly learnable skill, but it does take some focus and some precision.  I can help you with that.  This will be fun.....

To make a reservation for this workshop, please call (604) 250-5562 or use this contact link reserve a spot

$280.00 including taxes for the two days

This is the only one for the year folks. I teach beginners in the studio every day - but this one is for those of you that would like to take a course but can’t make it during the week.

All of the basics are covered here - and I supply everything - just show up with your lunch

$280 incl tax and supplies. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to register, or use the following link register. Registration close off is November 5th 2025

                          Old masters class in oil with
                        Paul Chizik

       

                  Saturday, March 1st and Sunday March 2nd
           - 10am until 4pm both days

Join master painter Paul Chizik for a two day exploration in mastercopy and traditional portrait/figure painting. Students will select a master painting to copy, and Paul will spend the weekend with you deconstructing the image that you have selected, and rebuilding your masterpiece using traditional old master techniques.


For hundreds of years, old masters copied old masters. It was a great way for painters to hone in on their skills and learn vital techniques by replicating great masters from the past. By choosing a master of your choice, the student can learn various techniques as well as get a better understanding of a system that was employed during that era. Comparative and site size measurement will be demonstrated and learned as well as understanding morphology (The shape of things) and rheology( plastic flow of material) eg. paint. A demo will be included along with the tonal method of approach

                         

$280 for the weekend. A supply list will be provided upon registration.

To register, please phone the studio (604) 250-5562, or email the studio denecroft@gmail.com

Cut off for this workshop will be Feb 25th. Numbers will be limited to 10 only.

I

David Langevin . . . mountains waterfalls and reflections - landscape adventures in acrylic

September 13th and 14th

Join acclaimed acrylic landscape painter David Langevin for a two day immersive experience in acrylic landscape painting with one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and talented artists.

$280 for the two days. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Please call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, or use the contact link register

" The whimsical landscape" - using colour translation and creative license to create dynamic landscapes

Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday August 24th . . . 10am until 4pm - both days.

. . .  bring a photo of your favourite house, cottage, cityscape etc. and we'll spend the weekend exploring colour and composition and create something extraordinary from the everyday and ordinary; bending lines and distorting perspective to create a whimsical interpretation of your favourite urban scene. 

During this two day workshop we will also be covering a little art history (just the juicy stuff), basic principles of drawing and perspective, which products to use and which to leave on the shelf, tips and techniques used in building a professional quality painting  using traditional master techniques - how those techniques can be successfully employed by you to build your contemporary masterpiece! . . .lastly -  galleries and marketing and pricing your art (for those who are interested).

This workshop will be open to all levels however it is more suited to intermediate and advanced painters. If you consider yourself a beginner, you will do  fine but some painting experience is necessary. During the workshop I will be doing lots of demos and as always, there will be plenty of hand-holding should you need it . . . nobody gets left behind! Refreshments will be provided . . . just bring your paints (acrylic or oil), a canvas formatted to fit your subject ( no larger than 24 x 30 please) and a good quality subject photo (a few choices would be good), your lunch and an open mind.) 

The class will be limited to 10 participants, so if you would like to reserve a space please do so a.s.a.p as these workshops generally fill within a few days. Please call the studio or use the register link register . . .(604) 250-5562 and send payment of $280 by the 20th of August by e transfer to denecroft@gmail.com, or in person in the studio

Dene Croft studios and gallery

118 Pemberton avenue

North Vancouver, BC

V7P2R5

Light, form and structure - Developing your drawing skills to level up your painting

Four evenings commencing Wednesday the 16th of July - 6.30pm until 9pm each evening.
$280 for the 4 sessions

Whether you’re a beginner or professional artist, mastery of the fundamentals is a lifelong pursuit. In this course, you will learn to create convincing realism in your artwork.

You will practice essential skills for drawing with graphite pencils - perhaps the most important tool artists use to turn their ideas into powerful images.

Working from simple objects, still life arrangements or photo references,

emphasis will be placed on solidifying structure and proportion,

achieving a likeness and using shading techniques to create

convincing 3-dimensional art.

Topics will include:

•  How to draw basic 3-dimensional shapes

•  Key principles of light falling on form and shadows

•  The role of values in creating believable forms and depth of space

•  How shapes, values and edges contribute to compositions that express mood

• and atmosphere

•  How to see colour in terms of shapes and values

•  Bringing it all together

The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, and spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. Attendees of this course will be able to confidently take on any subject matter with their new set of skills!

Call the studio at 604-250-5562 to book, or use this link to register register

The impressionistic floral . . . with Shirley-Claire Williams

Painting flowers needn’t be overwhelming! Join me as we search for the flower’s essence and find ways to calm the inherent complexities through smart design choices and personal styling. I will be demonstrating and guiding you as we each develop our own individual paintings FROM LIFE using in-season cut and/or potted flowers. A full materials list will be sent to you closer to the workshop date. Max class size is set at 10, so you’ll get lots of ‘me’ time! I paint in oils, but if you are proficient in acrylic, you are welcome to work in that medium as well. 

This will be fun!

To reserve a space in this workshop, please call the studio at 604-250-5562, or use the contact link book a space

$280 including taxes for the two days

Course Description :

This class will focus on techniques for rendering the classic elements of the coastal landscape- water, rocks, trees and skies.

We will start with underpainting and proceed to design, blocking in, setting up values, direct painting, glazes and brushwork.

There will be a group critique on day one- bring up to 2 pieces for that- any subject or medium.

Each day will have a demo and lots of one to one coaching.

Supplies:

Suggested basic colours- benzimidazolone yellow, ultramarine or cobalt blue,

pthalo blue [green shade], quinacridone red, transparent red iron oxide & titanium

white. If you have lots of colours, just bring what you have.

small sketchbook and soft pencil

palette

brushes [ synthetic]

water bucket

spray bottle

apron

paper towels and tissues

3 canvases- 11 x 14” or bigger

medium- I use Golden acrylic glazing liquid- gloss or satin

Janice’s additional colours - optional

Cad yellow dark, cad red light, green gold, dioxazine purple, mars black

To reserve a space in this workshop, please call the studio (604) 250-5562, or use the contact feature on the home page, or click this link reserve

$280.00 including taxes

“CREATIVE SKILL BUILDING IN ACRYLIC”

Your painting skills are built by practicing and training and by challenging yourself with new techniques and ideas. This intermediate level acrylic workshop will help you do just that.

We will spend two full days on fun and challenging drills and exercises involving speed, limited palette, limited and expressive brush strokes, tool use, different grounds and more.

Saturday June 1st and Sunday June 2nd, 10am until 4pm both days

$280 including taxes. Please reserve your easel by calling the studio at 604-250-5562, or by using the register link register

Reservation is confirmed by payment. Payments can be made by e-transfer to denecroft@gmail.com or in person in the studio. All payments must be received prior to May 25th 2024

“CREATIVE SKILL BUILDING IN ACRYLIC” - PART 2

Your painting skills are built by practicing and training and by

challenging yourself with new techniques and ideas. This

intermediate level acrylic workshop will help you do just that.

If you have taken PART 1 of this workshop that is great but not a

prerequisite doing PART 2. Expect new and challenging exercises in

this workshop.

We will spend 2 days on fun and challenging drills and exercises

involving speed, limited palette, shape making, limited and expressive

brush strokes, tool use, different grounds and more.

Materials List:

** Please arrive prepared with all of the following supplies **

Acrylic Paint – bring what you have but be sure to include:

titanium white

iron oxide black (or any black)

cad yellow light

cad red light

yellow ochre

dioxazine purple

pthalo green

ultramarine blue

pthalo blue (red shade)

alizarine OR quin magenta.

Quin gold OR trans yellow oxide OR trans red oxide for glazing. Bring

two out of three, or all 3 if you already have them.

Double check your paint tubes to confirm that you are not bringing

any oil, water mixable oil or open acrylics to this workshop.

Sketch book and pencil, spray bottle, ruler, water bucket, paper

towels or rags.

Gloss medium (you will only need a small bottle)

1/2 of a big sheet of water colour paper – 140 lb, cold pressed

(rough).

1/2 of a big sheet of water colour paper – 140 lb, hot pressed

(smooth).

One roll painters tape (green or blue, not white).

2 - 8x10 and 1 - 9x12 canvases.

1 - 8x10 wood panel.

I will be supplying other surfaces like yupo and pastel paper.

Hard-board, foam-core or cardboard - 18x24” is a good size, or

bigger, something to tape your WC paper to.

A good brush selection, you will also need a 1” and 2” flat or bright

(NOT a home depot brush). No soft watercolour brushes.

A few acrylic markers and ink pens. If you don’t have any we will

share.

A varied image/photo selection – landscape, figure, animals,

buildings etc… whatever interests you. Bring a variety of subject

matter to work with.

Palette knife.

Easel, if not provided by the facility. I am not a fan of table easels and

prefer to stand when painting. If you prefer to stand you will have to

bring a tall easel.

Any questions? Feel free to email me.

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.

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

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