Watercolour for Absolute Beginners with Karen Holloway

Learn to draw! Try this fun, absolute beginners painting with watercolour workshop with Karen Holloway.

• Date: 30 January 2026
• Time: Friday 9.30am - 3.30pm
• Location: NatureArt Lab, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, ACT

About the course:

Watercolour for Absolute Beginners is a fun, gentle and supportive introduction to watercolour painting designed for participants who have never picked up a brush — or who feel intimidated by the medium. Through structured demonstrations, guided hands-on exercises, and practical explanations, participants will explore the essential techniques that make watercolour expressive, fun, and accessible.

This workshop focuses on:

• Understanding your materials

• Learning core techniques step-by-step

• Building confidence through simple, achievable exercises

• Developing observation skills

• Creating a small final artwork using the day’s techniques

The workshop is suitable for hobbyists, nature lovers, travellers wanting to sketch on location, and anyone starting their creative journey in watercolour.

Pre-requisites: This course is suitable for 16+ beginners with little to no painting experience, or for those wishing to build on the foundations of their painting using the taught techniques.

Materials:  A list of materials will be sent upon enrolment.  Please check your JUNK and SPAM folders if you haven't seen this email within 2 days of enrolling. Any questions can be directed to info@natureartlab.com.au

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify basic watercolour materials and their uses.
• Control the water–paint ratio for transparent washes.
• Paint flat, graded, and variegated washes.
• Understand wet-on-wet vs wet-on-dry techniques.
• Mix clean colours using a primary palette.
• Create simple textures using salt, dry brush, and lifting.
• Paint a small nature-inspired artwork using learned techniques.

About the tutor:

Karen Holloway is a Canberra-based botanical and mixed-media artist whose work celebrates the quiet strength and ecological importance of Australian native plants. With a background in design, applied science, and paper conservation, she creates fresh, expressive artworks with a gentle vintage sensibility.

A passionate advocate for using art and observation to connect with nature, Karen encourages students of all ages and skill levels to explore new techniques, enjoy the creative process, and deepen their appreciation of the natural world. Through her teaching at NatureArt Lab, she highlights overlooked plants—their resilience, beauty, and role in sustaining ecosystems—while fostering curiosity, mindfulness, and meaningful nature connection.

Her Master of Art Therapy studies further inform her belief that slowing down to observe nature is both a creative and restorative practice.

NatureArt Lab Awards

• 2022, Telstra Best of Business Award for Promoting Sustainability, ACT Winner and National Finalist
• 2024, Telstra Best of Business Award for Building Communities, ACT Winner and National Finalist

Images by Karen Holloway