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.
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. Capture the delicacy and beauty of flowers in watercolour. Topics include translucency, rich colour, veining, ruffles, leaves and more. Discover what you should look for when choosing a floral reference to paint and how light can dramatically affect the subject and create interesting shapes and patterns for stronger depth and composition.
Members: $86.57 + HST, Non-Members: $89 + HST. Friday.
Curious about watercolour and ready to give it a try? Spend a relaxing Sunday learning basic watercolour technique such as wet over wet, wet over dry, pastel resist, salt technique and blending. You’ll create your own set of unique cards and a couple of small paintings. Plenty of instruction—plenty of fun!
Members: $154.77 + HST, Non-Members: $159 + HST (Prices include $10 material fee). Sunday.
Jody Joseph is one of the region’s preeminent painters, with over 30 solo exhibitions and numerous group shows across in Canada, the US and Italy. In this special Master Class, Jody will lead you through plein air painting sessions in and around Dundas, along with indoor, in-class exercises and discussions back in the school studios. The focus of the class will be on strategies for organizing the chaos of the world we see—said another way—painting the forest, not the trees. How do we paint powerful, memorable images that reflect the painter’s interest/point of view/soul? With Jody’s guidance, you’ll do a deep dive into how great painters of all eras—cave painters to contemporary—have solved these problems and explore how those strategies might apply in your painting practice. This course is for advanced painters with solid experience painting outside, working in acrylic or oils, and looking for new avenues to move their practice forward. Admission into the program is dependent on a successful application. Information about the short application process is on our website at dvsa.ca/masterclass.
NOTE: application required—deadline July 27, 2026
Members: $270.99 + HST, Non-Members: $279 + HST. Sunday.
It's not hard to fall in love with the reflective, translucent and ethereal effects only alcohol ink can produce. This day-long workshop is your chance to try your hand and let that love burn brighter. We'll use this unique medium on non-porous surfaces such as glass, ceramic, yupo and mineral paper. And, we’ll discuss preparation, ventilation and other materials you can use to make the ink do its magic. By the time you leave, you'll have a stronger foundation on which to build when creating your own stunning ink pieces. Beginner/intermediate artists welcome.
Members: $86.57 + HST, Non-Members: $89 + HST. Sunday.
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! Always wanted to try watercolours? We’ll cover the basics of colour theory and mixing paints along with techniques such as wet on dry, wet on wet and a host of other tricks that make watercolours unique. Working on still life, landscape and abstracts, you’ll come away with a great foundation on which to move forward. All materials provided. *Please note: there will be no class on October 12*
Members: $252.67 + HST, Non-Members: $259 + HST (Prices include $40 material fee). Monday.
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! Curious about abstract painting, but afraid to try? This class is the perfect entry point for your first steps and deeper exploration of abstract painting using acrylic paint. We’ll look at the importance of composition, colour and materiality as well as alternative tools and materials as we work through both self-expression and self-exploration. No previous experience is required and all materials provided. *Please note: there will be no class on October 12*
Members: $297.41 + HST, Non-Members: $305 + HST (Prices includes $40 material fee). Monday.
Have you enjoyed watercolour’s magical results, but yearn to move to a more loose and flowing painting style? Learn how to up the water and colour intensity with your landscapes, florals or abstracts. This class will move you gradually from wet on dry to wet on wet, starting with small pieces and partially wet surfaces to larger works with plenty of splashing, spraying and blooms galore. Beginner/intermediate artists welcome. *Please note: there will be no class on October 12*
Members: $315.61 + HST, Non- Members: $325 + HST. Monday.
Let’s really stretch things out and take our technique further with more very loose watercolour works. We’ll also add in experiments with acrylic ink, pen and marker (both permanent and water soluble) and masking fluid as resist to create dynamic and vibrant results. As always, we’ll keep developing our creative instincts and learn to be present as we observe what happens when we try different watercolour papers, brushes and paints. Whether inexpensive or the creme-de-la-creme of materials, it’s bound to turn out beautifully. For students who have taken Loosen Up with Watercolour or have previous watercolour experience.*Please note: there will be no class on October 12*
Members: $315.61 + HST, Non- Members: $325 + HST. Monday.
