Tutor feature: Wendy Black

In her role as teacher with the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio, Wendy Black brings experience, understanding and an element of fun when working with inexperienced and advanced sculpture students.

A senior teacher with the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School since 2004, Wendy simultaneously teaches the Beginner and General workshop programs on Thursday morning and afternoons. The popularity of the structured Beginner program has seen many of Wendy’s students return to tackle interesting and challenging projects under her guidance. Read more >

Workshop focus: Dookie Art Attack

Expand your artistic flare

Friday 12th - Sunday 14th June
University of Melbourne
Dookie Campus
North East, Victoria

Join one of our experienced award winning artists, for three days of artistic indulgence, as your chosen tutor.

Enjoy the beautiful surrounds and ambiance of the Dookie Hills

• Watercolour Expo available with three tutors
• Plus five Tutors for Pastels, Oils, Drawing, Mixed Media & Ceramics

Read more >

Calendar of Events

Due to popular demand we are now providing you with the next SIX months of workshops so join in and be creative. The variety of tutors and organisers is a smorgasbord for artists - beginners to advanced alike.

View calendar for May 2009 :: June 2009 :: July 2009

August 2009 :: September 2009 :: October 2009

Workshop review: Acrylic Big Paintings with Tony Tozer

Tony Tozer's workshop was so refreshing and liberating. It allowed me to work quickly and with more than one canvas going at the one time. I often find that while I am working my mind is racing away with so many different avenues to explore that it is a relief to feel free to work on a few canvases at the same time.

We started by loosening up, tearing bits of newspaper and placing them at random on our canvases. Then we painted around the shapes with a wash of one colour. When the paint was dry we removed the paper and then rearranged the paper again and painted other colours on the patches of remaining white canvas or over the colours that we had already painted. There was no limitation to the palette of colours you could choose. Read more >

Latest Tips and Tricks

• How to Draw the Figure - 9 Common Mistakes
  This article covers nine of the most common mistakes artists make when drawing from the model. I have spent over twenty-five years drawing the figure, which has helped me to define some commonly made errors. The art process is fluid and impossible to pin down with rules but if you wish to make a more convincing life drawing then these ideas will certainly help achieve that end. Read more >

• Artist's Block - Beliefs That Make Talented People Fail
  Why is it that some people seem to create effortlessly and unselfconsciously while others struggle and suffer and seem to always hold themselves back even when their talent is evident to others? Some reasons may be found in the understanding, attitudes or beliefs that they hold towards the the sources, quality and sustainability of their creative efforts. Read more >

Chit Chat

Last week I walked out my front door to see this Red Bellied Black snake in a bush annoying the birds nearby. Strange to see one at this time of year - but a reminder that they’re always around. It looked quite majestic.  

Cold is setting in to Bathurst and I can’t say that I’m looking forward to the long cold winter but then the atmosphere of winter closing in is pretty special. I feel like a squirrel and want to gather in firewood, friends and family and snuggle down safe and warm in front of the fire. Not to mention the fantastic light that gives rise to wonderful contrast that makes me want to paint all day long!

I am driving again! So I’ll be getting around the country looking for great workshops and venues to report back to you.

Teresa

Once again I realise how valuable art workshops are to me - they provide a structure that allows me to forget all the chores, work and demands of family and to be fully present and able to enjoy my creative musings.

Easter has come and gone and once again I didn't pick up a pencil or paintbrush. So I have decided to book into at least one art workshop a month on top of my studies at TAFE. Just being in a group of creative individuals in a space, purpose built for art is heavenly.

My cat Milo, has suddenly gone blind, and although it is very sad from my perspective, Milo is still the happy cat he has always been. Our animals show us how to live fully present and enjoy what is! The sun on his back, the feel of the grass against his skin, the scents on the wind - oh bliss!

Stephanie