‍PLEASE BOOK & PAY BY THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2025

Being passionate about art for her whole life, in 2018 Wendy Orchard discovered the joys and versatility of ‘art journaling’. Having been an educator for over 40 years Wendy now enthusiastically shares her skills in the areas of Nature Journaling and Travel Journaling in workshops for both children and adults.

Wendy doesn’t confine her art to one particular style or to the use of a specific medium but instead,allows her subject to dictate her work, resulting in each page of her sketchbook being informative, creative and unique.  In Nature Journaling, Wendy sees this as a source of lifelong learning.  The simple act of picking up a fallen leaf on a morning walk can lead to an investigation into the structure of the leaf and then to a description and a drawing of the tree from which it fell.  When all of this information is recorded in a sketchbook a deeper understanding and a connection is made with nature and over time this sketchbook becomes a valuable reflection of personal observations – even a legacy.

You can check out Wendy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Art-Journaler/61550876361469/ and Instagram   - https://www.instagram.com/artjournaler/. Wendy is also the founder of the Northern Beaches Nature Journaling Group (All welcome, please see Facebook for details).

In this workshop Wendy will explain the principles of Nature Journaling and show examples of different journaling formats. You will then be encouraged to look closely at natural objects and to experiment with different artistic techniques and various media in order to record what you observe in your own creative way.  With the addition of elements such as text, headings and borders and with the confidence of knowing that there are no rules in Nature Journaling, everyone’s pages will take on a unique appearance. This is not a workshop where you will leave with a completed painting but instead you will take away numerous examples and ideas to further inspire your practice of Nature Journaling.

‍Materials List:

So that everyone feels free to experiment, Wendy will supply a small sketchbook (A5 with 80 gsm paper)to each participant but everyone is also welcome to bring along and use their own sketchbooks.

Essentials:                                                                                          

·     Black Biro/Ballpoint Pen

·     Graphite pencils – HB & 2B

·     Eraser

·     Ruler

·     Coloured Pencils (or Watercolour Pencils)

·     2 x Black Waterproof Fineliner Pens

(1 x Thin – 0.3 + 1 x Thicker – 0.5  or similar)

Optional Materials:

‍NB: Please don’t buy these for the  workshop – only bring if  you already have them.

·     Your own sketchbook

·     Waterbrush

·     Paintbrushes for Watercolour

·     Water Container

‍PLEASE BOOK & PAY BY FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2025 - NOW FULL - WAITLIST AVAILABLE

Paul McCarthy is a painter who seamlessly integrates colour and natural landscapes. Over his 30-year artistic career Paul skilfully combines the exuberance of Fauvism, the delicacy of Impressionism, and the avant-garde of contemporary abstract art, creating a unique visual language. His works are renowned for their rich colours and profound understanding of light and shadow.  His exquisite colour combinations give his paintings an exotic flair, through which he captures and finds a whole new and dramatic light unique to his environment.  

His works emanate vibrant vitality and strong expressiveness.  The dynamic interaction between bold brushstrokes and colours conveys the dynamism and rugged beauty of natural landscapes. Additionally, he pays attention to observing patterns and rhythms in nature, unifying his artworks through this approach. Paul’s works are collected by many corporations and private collectors, receiving praise globally.  He is not just a painter; he is an explorer,educator, and innovator.  Through his paintings, we catch a glimpse of a vibrant, colourful world, a true embodiment of his unique artistic perspective.  A sought after, prize winning, tutor Paul brings a sense of fun and excitement to the classroom, encouraging individuality as well as developing design composition and colour skills.  He has had numerous solo and joint exhibitions both here and overseas, including a joint exhibition in Soho New York. He has also worked extensively as a community artist including working with a remote aboriginal community.  

For this workshop you will explore techniques in design and composition under Paul’s expert guidance. Working from YOUR OWN REFERENCE of either drawings paintings, or photographs, you will learn how to experiment with colour, shape, and composition to create something uniquely fresh, while retaining the essence of your original piece.  This workshop offers a supportive, inspiring environment to dive into contemporary landscape painting.  Suitable for artists of all levels eager to expand their skills.

This will be a fun and exciting workshop where you will be pushed and so will the paint!

Materials List – Bring your usual acrylic paints (Paul uses Matisse)

Suggested Colours:

·     Cool Red

·     Warm Red

·     Cadmium Yellow Light

·     Cadmium Yellow Deep

·     Cadmium Orange

·     Naphthol Scarlet

·     Magenta (Quin Violet)

·     Dioxazine Purple

·     Ultramarine Blue

·     Cobalt Blue

·     Cobalt Teal

·     Burnt Umber

·     Australian Sienna

·     Black

·     White

Canvas:

·       Bring the size of canvas that you feel you can manage in 1 day.  (Paul may be working large)

Brushes:

·      Bring your usual brushes – a variety of large and small.

Misc:

·     Water container

·     Rag or Kitchen Paper

·     Apron