In this essential course, you will draw from the live model, exploring classical and contemporary techniques to create powerful, dynamic, and realistic drawings.

Each class begins with a focus on fast gestural drawings, utilizing line-of-action, simplified shapes, and expressive mark-making to capture the essence of the pose. As the poses lengthen, emphasis will shift toward accuracy, structure and proportion using sighting & measuring techniques, basic anatomy, and planar construction. In the longest poses, you will focus on the subtle nuances of light and shade to create 3-dimensional, lifelike figure drawings.

Attendees of this course will enjoy heightened confidence, ease, and flow in their drawing!

Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, mastery of the fundamentals is a lifelong pursuit. In this course, you will learn how to create convincing realism in charcoal, step-by-step.

Whether working from simple objects, still life arrangements, or photo reference emphasis will be placed upon solidifying structure and proportion, achieving a likeness, and utilizing shading techniques to create convincing, 3-dimensional drawings.

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!

Learn how to paint realistic and dynamic still-life paintings from start to finish. You will develop a deep understanding of traditional techniques, as well as explore contemporary approaches in paint application.

Students may choose to paint two small paintings or work on one larger arrangement for the entire course. Topics including drawing, composition, value organization, colour, edges, design and paint application will be addressed.

You will leave the class with a new set of skills to set up and create your own still-life masterpieces.

In this course, you will learn how to paint realistic watercolour landscapes and seascapes that capture the light and atmosphere of the natural environment.

James will demonstrate how to break this notoriously difficult medium down into manageable steps, applying clean washes and confident brushstrokes. Using a photo reference as a starting point, you will form your strategy to translate your vision into a convincing watercolour interpretation. Emphasis will be on developing your observational and compositional skills to achieve an effective arrangement of dark and light values.  

Attendees of this course will leave with fresh ideas and skills that will add strength and realism to their watercolour landscape paintings.

In this course, you will learn the foundations needed to create oil paintings grounded in good technique. Learn how to prepare surfaces, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more!

Students will develop compositions with a strong foundational drawing layer before approaching the painting with an emphasis on value and colour.
‍
This class is perfect for beginners, those switching from acrylics to oils, and experienced painters who want to get back to basics.

Learn to paint pets and animals full of character and dynamic realism.

Learn how to create accurate proportions, expressive eyes, and convincing fur textures while bringing warmth and character to your work. You’ll work from provided photo references, or you can bring your own to develop strong drawing foundations and confident brushwork. You’ll explore colour mixing for naturalistic coats, understanding light and shadow, and building depth through layering techniques. Demonstrations and step-by-step guidance will help you simplify complex forms and refine details without overworking your painting.

By the end of this course, you will have strengthened your skills while celebrating the animals you love.

In this foundational course, you will learn how to draw realistic portraits with accuracy and expression. Each class begins with a demonstration, followed by drawing from photo references and the live model. Using basic drawing media you will examine the head and facial features from various angles, learning how to draw them in simplified shapes and apply correct tonal value.

Emphasis will be placed upon solidifying structure and proportion, achieving a likeness, and utilizing shading techniques to make convincing, 3-dimensional drawings. The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, and spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one.

Attendees of this course will leave with a set of new skills that will add strength and realism to their drawings.

This course will equip you with the skills you need to capture the beauty of the natural world.

You will hone your ability to paint dynamic landscapes by focusing on one element of nature per week, exploring mountain ranges, lush forests, and open fields. Enriched by the expertise of our instructor, you'll master these essential aspects of the landscape, while learning to bring texture, depth and a sense of rugged realism to your paintings. Separating these elements into individual projects will help you develop an intimate relationship with each form so that when you put them together, the sum will be greater than its parts!

By the course's end, you will have built a portfolio of striking paintings that showcase your ability to transform the wonders of nature into captivating visual art.

In this course, you will learn the foundations needed to create oil paintings grounded in good technique. Learn how to prepare surfaces, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more!

Students will develop compositions with a strong foundational drawing layer before approaching the painting with an emphasis on value and colour.
‍
This class is perfect for beginners, those switching from acrylics to oils, and experienced painters who want to get back to basics.

In this course, you will learn to create realistic floral and still-life paintings in watercolour, capturing convincing three-dimensional form, light, and texture.Explore techniques to simplify this medium, applying clean washes and confident brushstrokes. Using photo references as a guide, you will develop a strong strategy to translate your vision into a compelling watercolour interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on capturing the delicate structure of florals, and effective dark and light values to convey the form of still-life objects.The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class and provide individual guidance. By the end of the course, you will have gained new skills to enhance the strength and realism of both your still-life and floral paintings.

In this course, you will learn the foundations you need to create acrylic paintings grounded in good technique. Discover how to prepare surfaces, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more!

Students will develop compositions with a strong foundational drawing layer before approaching the painting with an emphasis on value and colour.

This class is perfect for beginners or experienced acrylic painters who want to get back to basics.

In this foundational course, you will learn how to create realistic figure drawings from a live model with accuracy and expressive force.

Using basic drawing media, you will examine the human form in various poses, learning how to draw in simplified shapes and apply correct tonal value. Emphasis will be placed upon energetic gesture drawing, solidifying structure and proportion, and utilizing shading techniques to make convincing, 3-dimensional drawings. The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class and spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. 

Attendees of this course will leave with a set of new skills that will add strength and realism to their drawings.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, mastery of the fundamentals is a lifelong pursuit. In this course, you will learn how to create convincing realism in charcoal, step-by-step.

Whether working from simple objects, still life arrangements, or photo reference emphasis will be placed upon solidifying structure and proportion, achieving a likeness, and utilizing shading techniques to create convincing, 3-dimensional drawings.

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!

In this course, you will develop the technical skills to create beautiful and convincing landscape paintings. 
‍
Choose to work from a wide selection of natural landscape photos, supplied by the teacher, or bring your own. Emphasis will be placed on composition, colour mixing, drawing, and painting various types of light and shadow. Learn about linear and atmospheric perspective, how to mix colours to create a harmonious effect of light, and how to paint impressionistic trees, rocks, clouds and more.
‍
By the end of the course, you’ll have increased confidence to paint the most inspiring scenes from nature!

Is it time to bring more depth, nuance, and precision into your portraits? In this course, you will learn how to paint realistic portraits, one feature at a time.

Develop your skills in capturing the unique shapes of each feature and mixing life-like skin tones. You will learn about the power of light and shadow on eyes, noses, mouths and ears. Each class begins with a brief anatomy lecture, followed by painting from professional, high-resolution reference photos. You will examine the facial features from various angles and create detailed studies of each.

Emphasis will be placed upon form, value, and creating nuanced skin tones. Attendees of this course will leave with a comprehensive understanding of each feature and enjoy greater realism in their portraiture!

Explore the imaginative world of Salvador Dalí and the Surrealist movement in this inspiring painting course. Discover how Surrealist artists combined realistic technique with dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and mysterious scenes to challenge our perception of reality.

Through a guided master copy, you’ll explore techniques for creating convincing forms, dramatic lighting, and atmospheric depth while experimenting with the unusual ideas that make Surrealism so captivating. Learn how careful observation and imaginative thinking can work together to create compelling, otherworldly paintings.

Whether you’re fascinated by the iconic imagery of the Surrealists or are eager to explore new creative possibilities, this course invites you to embrace the extraordinary.

In this course, you will learn the foundations you need to create acrylic paintings grounded in good technique. Discover how to prepare surfaces, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more!

Students will develop compositions with a strong foundational drawing layer before approaching the painting with an emphasis on value and colour.

This class is perfect for beginners or experienced acrylic painters who want to get back to basics.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, mastery of the fundamentals is a lifelong pursuit. In this course, you will learn how to create convincing realism in charcoal, step-by-step.

Whether working from simple objects, still life arrangements, or photo reference, emphasis will be placed upon solidifying structure and proportion, achieving a likeness, and utilizing shading techniques to create convincing, 3-dimensional drawings.

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!

Designed for artists committed to deepening their practice, this program centres on sustained engagement with the human figure and portraiture. Over the course of the program you will develop a self-directed project by identifying ideas that matter to you, learning how to bring paintings to completion, and shaping these into a cohesive body of work. 
‍
Technical mastery, creative experimentation, and conceptual development are integrated into the program for the ongoing cultivation of an authentic, personal practice. Classes combine feedback, demonstrations, guided exercises, and assigned work within both traditional & contemporary approaches. Brushwork, edge control, colour relationships, palette organization, composition, glazing, and human anatomy are addressed in direct relation to your ongoing project.

The program also addresses professional practices, including the preparation of an artist statement, CV, website, and online presence.
‍
The program is structured as six full-day sessions: four consecutive classes to build momentum, followed by two bi-weekly sessions allowing time for independent work. 

In this course, you will learn the foundations you need to create watercolour paintings grounded in good technique. Learn how to work on various specialty papers, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more!

The instructor will demonstrate how to break this notoriously difficult medium down into manageable steps, applying clean washes and confident brushstrokes.

Emphasis will be placed on achieving harmony in values, shapes and colour. You will experiment with methods and techniques to quickly suggest convincing details.

Upon completion of the course, you will leave with a range of new skills that add strength and realism to your watercolour paintings. This course is perfect for beginners or painters who want to get back to basics.

In this essential course, you will learn how to paint dynamic, realistic still-life paintings from start to finish. You will develop a deep understanding of traditional techniques, as well as explore contemporary approaches in paint application.

Working from professional photo reference and still life arrangement set ups in class, you’ll use close observation to capture the subtle nuances of light falling on form. Learn how to depict a variety of surfaces (drapery, glass, fruit, metal, porcelain, etc) with efficient and exciting brushwork. Topics including drawing, composition, value organization, colour, edges, design and paint application will be addressed.

The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, and spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. Attendees of this course will experience newfound confidence with realism, brushwork and composition!

In this exciting course, learn the old masters’ secrets of Rembrandt, and create a highly realistic portrait with glowing light and mysterious, physical presence. Working from a high quality master copy, you will create a fully finished portrait painting, learning Rembrandt’s approach step-by-step. 
Using a limited palette in both direct (wet-into-wet) and indirect painting (glazing) methods, you’ll begin with an underpainting to serve as your guide, block-in general skin colours for different areas of the portrait, then move towards detailed form and nuanced colour. Learn how to mix subtle skin tones, integrating texture, glazing and dramatic chiaroscuro effects.
‍
The instructor works with you at your own pace, offering guidance, along with demonstrations throughout the class. Attendees will be able to apply these traditional approaches to their own portrait, bringing the lessons of old masters into their own work for years to come! 

In this course, you will learn how to paint realistic watercolour landscapes and seascapes that capture the light and atmosphere of the natural environment.

James will demonstrate how to break this notoriously difficult medium down into manageable steps, applying clean washes and confident brushstrokes. Using a photo reference as a starting point, you will form your strategy to translate your vision into a convincing watercolour interpretation. Emphasis will be on developing your observational and compositional skills to achieve an effective arrangement of dark and light values.

Attendees of this course will leave with fresh ideas and skills that will add strength and realism to their watercolour landscape paintings.