Interested in creating your own landscape paintings using acrylics?

This course is an accessible introduction to the medium, focusing on foundational techniques and colour theory to capture the unique essence of the Australian landscape.

Dates: 14 October – 4 November
Times: Fridays 9.30am - 12.00pm

Venue: NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith; free parking is available at either the front or both sides of the building.


About the Course

This course will cover the basics of acrylic painting, including how to get
familiar with essential tools and materials. You will learn to mix colours and apply various
brushwork techniques such as dry brushing, wet-on-wet, and using different types of brushes.

The course is designed for beginners, and we will work on smaller sizes to help you feel comfortable as you practice.

You can choose your own subject matter based on your preferences, whether it's a vast outback scene, a tranquil beach, or a lush forest. The course will guide you through the process of composition, colour application, and painting to help you complete more than one finished acrylic landscape painting.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of materials and equipment: Understand the properties and uses of acrylic paints, brushes, canvases, and other basic materials.
• Colour theory: Learn to use colour in acrylic painting, including how to mix primary colours and create harmonious colour palettes.
• Demonstrated understanding of painting techniques: Learn and practice various acrylic painting techniques, such as dry brushing, wet-on-wet, and using a palette knife.
• Composition and creation: Understand how to approach and develop a landscape composition, from initial sketching to the final layers of paint.
• Confidence in creating: Gain the confidence to create your own acrylic paintings.
• Level of Experience: This course is suitable for beginners with no prior painting experience.
  
  

Materials List: 

Acrylic Landscape Painting Materials List: (you need to prepare your own materials)

• Acrylic paints(both warm and cool colors): Cadmium red, Crimson red, Ultramarine blue, Cerulean blue, Cadmium yellow light, Cadmium yellow deep, Black, White & Brown (Green, purple, Orange are optional) You are welcome to ask the art material shop assistant for help.

• Brushes (various sizes and shapes, at least 1 small, 1 medium and 1 big FLAT brush, you can also buy the ROUND ones. Both are fine)

• Acrylic Paper (around A4 size) or canvases if you would like to use canvas. I just think small size acrylic papers are easy to start with

• Palette 

• Paper towels
  
  

About the Tutor: Xiaochen(Fiona) Bao is a children’s book illustrator, fine artist and emerging curator based in Canberra. Xiaochen was born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, a city that is extremely rich in Chinese cultural history and traditional Chinese art. She has been studying art in Canada and the U.S. for years. Profoundly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist doctrines, she wishes her art to transmit similar positive and natural energy to the environment and viewers while inspiring meditation. She is inspired by both eastern and western ancient poems, songs, myths, and of course nature. The colors in her paintings are always dreamy, soft and harmonious. She believes that the natural environment is the one of the best catalysts for artworks, and she is passionate about exploring possibilities of acrylic paint.

NatureArt Lab Awards

2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT

2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT.