Painting from Nature with Sharon Muir

About the course:

During this workshop we will work with natural forms as our inspiration to create appealing and inventive watercolour paintings.

Students will be guided through a series of enjoyable yet structured painting exercises, allowing them to discover various ways to manipulate watercolour, whilst building up a set of skills to fully experience the medium. 

Mark making will be explored using a variety of techniques and tools and important watercolour techniques such as washes, glazing and wet into wet will be introduced and put into practice throughout the weekend. To create more visual interest, we will delve into using resists such as masking fluid and experiment with watercolour transfers.

Throughout the workshop, Sharon provides informative demonstrations and supportive instruction to guide the whole group. On the second day, Sharon offers individual guidance as each participant paints a subject of their own choice.

Level: Suitable for students 16+. Beginners are welcome as well as those experienced with watercolour.

• Dates/Days: Saturday & Sunday, 14 – 15 March 2026
  
• Times: 9.30 am– 4.30pm
  
• Venue: NatureArt Lab Studio, Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, Canberra

Learning outcomes:
• To understand why one uses quality brushes, paper, and paint
• Experiment with a variety of brushes and ways to use.
• Understanding consistency of paint to create values.
• How to use a limited palette.
• Exploring ways to develop mark making with watercolour
• Understanding foundation techniques such as wet into wet, wet onto dry and ways to apply a wash.
• A variety of ways to use masking fluid.
• Understanding timing and rhythm for producing watercolours
• Experimentation with an array of techniques to aid in personal expression such as watercolour transfer
• Gaining confidence in exploring a subject of choice

About the tutor:

Sharon is a sought after and highly experienced, engaging teacher who enjoys nurturing the creativity of her students. She has taught widely as a freelance art teacher, travelling to workshops throughout Australia, including touring outback QLD and NSW for three years as part of the Flying Arts Team. 

Her artworks are inspired by the intricacy and beauty of the natural world and through her art practice and teaching, she seeks to reveal the richness and possibilities of watercolour as a contemporary and dynamic medium.

She has held five solo exhibitions in the Northern Rivers region and her artworks have been selected for numerous nationally recognised exhibitions such as FLOW- National Contemporary Watercolour Prize, York Botanic Art Prize and Jacaranda Drawing Award.

Examples of her work can be found on her website  www.sharonmuirart.com  and Instagram @sharonmuir.art