In this online course we will use direct observation to build your portraiture skills, as well as be inspired by portraits in the AGO Collection. We’ll explore painting elements such as gesture, composition and colour and experiment with a range of acrylic painting techniques to develop an awareness of line, volume, form to create your own portrait paintings.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided. 

This course introduces students to a range of painting techniques through exercises designed to develop an awareness of line, volume, form and colour. Students will engage with a variety of projects while exploring monochromatic painting, complimentary colors, and complementary contrast. This course draws upon the AGO's collections for inspiration and provides a solid foundation in painting techniques to prepare you for further study at the AGO.

In this class, students will use paint to study the human form. They will develop skills of observation and proportion, while working with a life model. In addition to skill development, contemporary and historical approaches to figurative representation will be discussed.

Explore colour theory and principles of colour harmony in this course suited for painters and non-painters alike. Students will explore colour theory through paint, discussion, gallery visits, and the use of coloured objects. Improve your colour appreciation and ways of seeing, resulting in practical skills that can be applied in painting and easily transferred to all other mediums.

This 2-day weekend course introduces the basic skills and concepts of watercolour painting. We will cover the application of washes, the building of a composition from back to front and general to specific, traditional wet on dry or wet-into-wet approaches, brush handling and color mixing, color temperature and layering. Subject matter to include landscape, botanical, still life, portraiture, and abstract compositions. 

This workshop focuses on an intuitive approach to portrait painting, supporting skills development through direct observation. Students will explore the fundamental concerns in painting such as chiaroscuro, colour relationships, paint handling, gesture and composition. Demonstrations in layered washes, alla prima painting technique and a visit to the galleries are major components of this course.

Introduction to Watercolo

Explore concepts and approaches to painting landscapes through illusion and representation. Learn to capture light, atmosphere and mood in landscape by working from photographs or examples in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s collection. This workshop will explore mixing colours, choosing compositions, and editing photographic references.

Materials for the first class are provided. Acrylic paints are required. Students will receive a list of required materials for the following classes.

Using direct observation to build your skills, you’ll explore basic portrait painting concepts, learn from demonstrations of painting technique with acrylics and visit the galleries for added inspiration. Materials for the first class are provided. Students will receive a list of required materials for the following classes.

This course meets in the Dr. Anne Tanenbaum Gallery School. Participants must be 18 or older. To get the most from this workshop, we suggest you take Introduction to Painting first.

Expand your painting style and tackle an oversized canvas. Expand your creativity and explore scale, technique and materials, inspired by the large-scale paintings in the AGO Collection. Materials for the first class are provided. You’ll be working with acrylic paint and will receive a list of materials required for subsequent classes.

This workshop meets in the Dr. Anne Tanenbaum Gallery School. Participants must be 18 or older. To get the most from this workshop, we suggest you take Introduction to Painting first.