Painting classes are our most popular courses. Whether you wish to accurately render a subject in paint or work intuitively to create something more emotive, the art of painting offers a sense of play, a flexibility of thinking and the opportunity to visually express thoughts, ideas and emotions as you work 2-dimensionally with colours, shapes and textures.
At Dundas Valley School of Art, we offer some of the most complete art studios in the Hamilton/Burlington region with a range of painting classes taught by the area’s finest artists.
CHOOSING YOUR MEDIUM AND GETTING STARTED
While not required, we encourage students interested in painting to begin their artistic journey with a drawing class. Here, concepts are taught that will kickstart the development of your painting skills, including the 7 ways of seeing, the behaviour of light, perspective and composition concepts and more.
Beginner painting classes are offered in the mediums of watercolour, acrylic or oil. The best medium for you depends on the effects you want to achieve. Acrylic is quick-drying paint with excellent coverage allowing for vibrant textural works. Oil-based paints feel buttery and smooth, producing excellent tones and colours for subtle shifts and fine details. Oils dry slowly, allowing more time to blend colours or make changes. Watercolours are transparent and easy to blend with water, creating a unique and delicate style. For a better understanding of these mediums and what might be right for you, look here.
Beginner painting classes start with the fundamentals. For watercolour, you’ll look at the types of papers to use, the different brushes and marks they make, brush handling techniques and a basic palette of warm and cool colours. You’ll practice mixing colours, do some graded washes (blending one colour with another) and explore techniques such as wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, dry brush and more.
For acrylic and oil classes, it’s a review of working on canvas or board, the various types of brushes, brush handling techniques and a full understanding of the acrylic and oil mediums. You’ll practice mixing colours and explore colour palette options.
In both classes, you’ll then move forward with a fuller exploration of colour theory (how to mix colours and get the best results), working with complementary colours, the importance of value, composition and perspective, and the principles of design. Throughout, you’ll review works by the great painters in history and engage in discussions on art history.
THE CLASS EXPERIENCE
Initially, you can expect to paint simple landscape or still life subjects chosen by the instructor that best illustrate the concepts being taught. Later in the course, there is often the opportunity to paint a subject of your choice – either from direct observation or a chosen photograph. Demonstrations by the instructor will shape the lessons along with significant group and individual instruction throughout. A collective exchange of ideas and knowledge is encouraged, shaping a collaborative studio experience with people from a range of backgrounds.
Group critiques are an essential element, always with a focus on constructive feedback – what is successful in your work and what would you do differently?
These valuable feedback sessions teach you how to fix problems and see the areas in your paintings that need improvement. Our instructors, all of whom are also working artists, offer continual encouragement and creative guidance.
NEXT LEVEL
Next level classes offer more experimentation in your chosen medium, with advanced brush techniques and in-depth use of value harmony, using shadow to create depth, more challenging compositions and incorporating textural techniques. You’ll also have more freedom to choose and develop your own painting subjects, complemented by tutorials and lessons from the instructor.
As you continue to move forward on your painting journey, there are opportunities to explore different subjects (landscape, architecture, still life, portrait, abstract) and different mediums such as collage, pastel or a mix of media. There are often additional classes or workshops focused on a specific medium such as encaustics, inks and cold wax. Or options to go more in-depth with techniques such as palette knife or impasto painting.
For landscape enthusiasts, en plein air classes (outdoors) allow you to work on site for accurate observation of value and colour and the additional sensory perceptions that can add a richness to your work.
Intermediate and advanced painters may consider our Independent Painting course, where students pursue their own choice of subject and medium with guidance from the instructor and feedback from other participants.
The overarching goal is to guide you towards becoming just that –an independent painter – discovering your own voice and cultivating your own style as you gain confidence and grow as an artist.
For those who may still feel intimidated, we offer our Painting For The Petrified as an option for Hamilton painting classes. Shorter in duration, this course provides a broad overview of the basic painting concepts covered in our full beginner classes. It is intended as a precursor to our Beginners’ Painting classes and designed for absolute beginner artists who wish to explore if painting is their medium, but don’t quite feel ready for a full-term painting class.
Still life painting has long been a way for artists to capture and reflect on the world around them through objects. From devotional images of simple vessels to abundant displays of fruit, flowers and expressive abstract compositions, still life paintings can act as portraits—of people, beliefs, politics, wealth and ways of seeing. In this class, we’ll review 17th-century Dutch still-life paintings alongside later developments in modern painting. We’ll then use what we’ve discovered to work on a considered still life arrangement in oil with a focus on developing your own personal interpretation. Previous oil painting experience is strongly recommended.
Members: $144.77 + HST, Non- Members: $149 + HST. Tuesday.
If you’re an absolute beginner artist, these options offer the encouraging handhold you’ve been looking for. Jump into a new creative world and discover what it is to feel good about the process of painting as you take the first steps on your artistic journey. All materials provided – just show up ready to paint! You’ll receive an introduction to the basics of acrylic painting – the materials, brush handling technique, colour mixing and more – along with enlightening discussions about drawing and composition. All materials provided.
Members: $252.67 + HST, Non-Members: $259 + HST (Prices include $40 material fee). Wednesday.
If you’re an absolute beginner artist, these options offer the encouraging handhold you’ve been looking for. Jump into a new creative world and discover what it is to feel good about the process of painting as you take the first steps on your artistic journey. All materials provided – just show up ready to paint! You’ll receive an introduction to the basics of acrylic painting – the materials, brush handling technique, colour mixing and more – along with enlightening discussions about drawing and composition. All materials provided.
Members: $252.67 + HST, Non-Members: $259 + HST (Prices include $40 material fee). Wednesday.
Here’s your chance to unwind from the week, enjoy an adult libation or two and settle in to create with a range of art options. No experience necessary and all levels welcome. And, all materials provided. It’s a fun time – make it a date night with your partner or BFF. Or fly solo and make new BFFs! 1 complimentary bar beverage per participant plus cash bar (19+) or unlimited soft drinks included. Please note: We are unable to provide refunds/credits/transfers for these courses.
A relaxed, playful evening experimenting with different mediums and techniques as you create artworks using your intuition and lots of creative freedom. Depending on your choice of workshop (or workshops!), you’ll be introduced to art concepts such as colour mixing and theory, composition, value, design principles, brush handling and more.
Course Fee: $59 + HST. Friday.
These full day intensive workshops are designed to help you develop your watercolour foundational skills and technique—either through a single workshop or several uniquely focused sessions. Each one offers techniques, approaches and advice along with plenty of group and individual instruction. For intermediate to advanced students. Snowy landscapes fill up with life and colour when you learn what to look for and go beyond the reference image. Shelley will share secrets for simplifying and interpreting your photo reference, applying smooth washes, adding textures and creating depth & dimension.
Members: $86.57 + HST, Non-Members: $89 + HST. Friday.
Find your creative comfort zone working with larger paper and watercolour paint. We’ll also break out optional mediums like acrylic ink, gouache and resist as you work on both a structured painting and a piece where you tap into your intuition to see what the inspired mind and feelings produce. It’s a great introduction to abstract for beginners and for those with some painting experience who find landscape and more traditional subject matter not for them.
Members: $86.57 + HST, Non-Members: $89 + HST. Sunday.
Tell stories that feel uniquely yours. Sandee is back this Fall to help you create paintings rooted in your ideas, memories and imagination. This course is all about developing work with meaning—whether you’re inspired by real life events or something more dreamlike and personal. You’ll learn how to transform an idea into a compelling visual story, exploring what makes an image feel complete, intentional and emotionally impactful. We’ll begin by sketching and refining compositions—thinking through layout, value and mood—before moving into acrylics or watercolours to bring your vision to life. Students should have some previous painting experience.
Members: $86.57 + HST, Non-Members: $89 + HST. Sunday.
Here’s your chance to unwind from the week, enjoy an adult libation or two and settle in to create with a range of art options. No experience necessary and all levels welcome. And, all materials provided. It’s a fun time – make it a date night with your partner or BFF. Or fly solo and make new BFFs! 1 complimentary bar beverage per participant plus cash bar (19+) or unlimited soft drinks included. Please note: We are unable to provide refunds/credits/transfers for these courses.
A relaxed, playful evening experimenting with different mediums and techniques as you create artworks using your intuition and lots of creative freedom. Depending on your choice of workshop (or workshops!), you’ll be introduced to art concepts such as colour mixing and theory, composition, value, design principles, brush handling and more.
Course Fee: $59 + HST. Friday.
