A word from the Art School Director

The Art School has a proud history in quality art education; a warm and friendly atmosphere with classes in four, ten week terms, using medium, such as oil, acrylic, watercolour and pastel. Subjects ranging from life drawing/painting, portraiture, still life, botanical and plein air, to expressive classes all taught by our team of very talented and dedicated artist teachers.

Our programme offers a ‘Diploma’ course for the dedicated student wanting a more complete art education in a wider range of painting and drawing disciplines.

Regular ‘Sketch Clubs’ (no tuition) offer a safe supervised venue for life drawing and portraiture in the spacious, well equipped studios.

During the year we hold workshops by specialised guest teachers who are all experts in their chosen field.
The highlight of the Art School year is the “RAS Art School Exhibition”, where all students are invited to participate in this annual exhibition with a full gala opening including awards and prizes.

Greg Hansell FRAS - Art School Director

Pastels

A friendly class from pastel specialist Greg Hansell, developing skills of colour and layering of colours, painting still life and plein-air with a new subject each week, highlighting different aspects for the student to observe.  A class with a strong link to examples in art history and the way many artists observed and expressed many varied subjects.
The class has a strong emphasis on the student finding their own language in pastels.

Drawing

A course specialising in the basic tradition of drawing line, perspective and observation of tonal values. Each week a new task expressing different aspects of still life, learning the know3lexge required for accurate and fun drawing.
 
A very handy course for any emerging artist to get the right foundations and confidence for sketching, drawing and drawing for painting.

Greg teaches pastels on Thursdays 9:30 - 12:30 and

Principles of Drawing and Perspective on Tuesdays 6pm - 8pm
 

Susie Murphie - Watercolour

"I teach a loose approach to painting. Very much ‘less is more’. I like to have fun in my lessons and do not hold back when someone is not doing the right thing... In the nicest possible way of course! I certainly give lots of praise too. I try to give students confidence in their ability and believe that you only need basic drawing skills with watercolour. If the paint is properly applied, you will end up with a lovely painting."

Mellissa Read-Devine - Exploring Acrylics

Join artist Mellissa Read-Devine and explore this versatile and exciting medium.  Beginners to Advanced tuition.   This class encourages students to explore their own techniques and creativity.  An enthusiastic and contemporary tutor, Mellissa aims to bring out the best in each student; encouraging personal development at their own pace.  Subjects will be varied, elements of composition will be explored, colour and brushstroke will be encouraged!  The class will cover many aspects of the medium and techniques, including the addition of mixed media and acrylic mediums.

Mellissa teaches on a Wednesday, 10am - 1pm

Joseph Bezzina - Plein Air Landscape

Joe is an experienced landscape and figurative artist with an ability to capture the rugged Australian bush in acrylic and oils.  He encourages students to gain knowledge on tonal construction, composition and atmospheric perspective while letting the individual's style develop.  Materials list - speak with tutor who will advise you.

Joe teaches on Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm

Mondays 9:30am - 12:30pm and 1pm - 4pm

Denis Clarke - Expressive Compositional Drawing/Painting

Denis Clarke is an established artist who exhibits and teaches in Australia and the UK. He studied at the National Art School Sydney, St Martins School of Art, London and has judged several prestigious art awards including the British Art Show, Alexandra Palace, London and the Lloyd Rees Youth Art Award, Sydney. 

Denis has lectured at several art schools and universities, including The National Art School, and Charles Sturt University in Australia, and the Camden School of Art, London. Denis is also renowned for devising and delivering innovative master class courses linking observational drawing to creative and experimental methods with drawing and mixed media.  

Denis’s work is characterized by expressive use of colour, movement and intense observation of everyday subjects. He is represented in public collections including The Art Gallery of NSW and Lloyds of London and has been the recipient of major awards and residencies including The NSW Travelling Art Scholarship, The Cite Internationale des Arts Studio, Paris and Wollombi Valley Arts Council, NSW. Denis has exhibited widely in galleries and art fairs in London and Switzerland, and is currently represented in Sydney by the Stanley Street Gallery.

Denis teaches on a Tuesday 9.30am-1.30pm

Barbara Duckworth - Botanical Drawing/Painting

Barbara has a Diploma of Art from Central Technical School Toronto, Canada and studied Natural History Drawing at the British Museum of Natural History, London.  She has worked for the Australian Museum and at the Macquarie University as Biological Illustrator/Artist.

"Plants come in a rainbow of colours!  Have a favourite flower you've always wanted to paint but don't know where to start?  Acquire skills to visually record the magic of the botanical world around you.  Everyone can draw - individual attention in the exploration and use of the fundamental principles of line, shading, composition and the effect of light to define the form, shape and texture of the specimen".

Barbara has two classes on a Wednesday:  10am-1pm and 1:15-4:15

Pamela Irving - Portrait

This portrait class focuses on developing simple tools for painting or drawing representational portrait in a gestural, realistic, impressionistic or expressive manner. We will be concentrating on the drawing and tones in order to have a better understanding of portrait painting, while exploring a variety of different pallettes and media including charcoal, pastel and oils.

Pamela teaches on a Friday:  1:30 - 4:30

Dee Jackson - Watercolour

Watercolour is Dee’s great love; it is the fluid spontaneity that attracts her. “Watercolour, as a medium, lends itself to the softness and curves of the human form. It allows the artist great freedom.” Dee is an experienced artist and teacher. Her website: https://www.deejackson.com.au gives more information. She teaches at the RAS on Wednesday afternoons.

Marilyn Hay - Drawing and Watercolour

Marilyn P. Hay began her formal studies at the National Art School.  She studied during a time when traditional values and classical notions of drawing, composition and colour were still taught while more experimental trends were being introduced, and the experience of straddling these two schools of thought still informs and underpins her work. 

Marilyn teaches on Mondays; 9:30-12:30 and 1-3:30

This page is a work in progress.   Check back soon for more information or phone our Secretary Christine for more details:  9955 5752