UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Our WORKSHOPS are designed as day-long or weekend-long classes for you to learn a new skill, technique, or medium of your choosing! They are structured for beginners, right up to advanced working artists. Feel free to peruse our available workshops below!
Students receive a 15% discount on art supplies on the day of the workshop! Shopping early? Show us your registration and we’ll honour the discount in advance. Please note: discount does not apply to items already on sale.
Watercolours
with Ralph Temple
If you think you would like to try painting in watercolour but don’t know where to start, just add the word “yet”!
Join artist Ralph Temple and explore painting in watercolour. Ralph will cover topics such as fundamental aspects of
- preparation,
- composition,
- sequencing,
- and painting techniques.
Subject matter is the choice of the participant and any image is worthwhile.
Fast & Fun Floral Abstract Minis
with Allison Dawrant
Jump straight into painting in this fast-paced acrylic workshop, perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. Guided by artist Allison Dawrant, participants will create four vibrant mini canvases or wood panels, layering bold colours from warm pinks and oranges to cool teals and greens. Along the way, you’ll pick up tips and tricks for finishing abstract works while discovering your own unique style.
Everyone will leave with four nearly finished mini paintings—bright, textured, and uniquely yours. Allison will provide final varnishing tips for you to do at home (it takes a week or two for the paintings to fully dry).
Bring an open mind and a little room in your car for your fresh artwork!
NOV
27
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$45
Winter Wonderland Paint Along
with Lisa Roberts
Join Lisa Roberts for a cozy 3-hour paint-along workshop and create your very own winter scene!
In this class, you’ll learn how to paint beautiful fir trees and capture the magic of the northern lights in the background.
All supplies are included — just bring your creativity and a love for winter! As the weather turns chilly, it’s the perfect time to paint a little snow and enjoy a relaxing, creative evening.
Little Tags, Loads of Cheer: Holiday Edition
with Ann Purdy
In this joyful three-hour workshop, you’ll create charming, hand-crafted Christmas tags with calligrapher and artist Ann Purdy, using coloured pencils and playful lettering.
Whether you are a seasoned doodler or just love holiday crafting, this session is a charming escape into the art of holiday detail and creative expression.
Come ready to colour, design, and spread cheer—one tiny tag at a time!
Watercolours
with Ralph Temple
If you think you would like to try painting in watercolour but don’t know where to start, just add the word “yet”!
Join artist Ralph Temple and explore painting in watercolour. Ralph will cover topics such as fundamental aspects of
- preparation,
- composition,
- sequencing,
- and painting techniques.
Subject matter is the choice of the participant and any image is worthwhile.
DEC
6
Saturday
1 pm – 4 pm
$65
Holiday Cards in Watercolour
with Laura Gerein
Join Laura Gerein in this watercolour workshop where we’ll implement beginner-friendly techniques in a pressure-free environment designed to maximize fun and play.
With Laura’s guided instruction, you will paint and complete three holiday-themed cards together.
All supplies are included so all you have to bring is your holiday spirit!
Mountain Landscapes
with Emma Rach-Syslak
This whole-day workshop is an immersive experience that invites artists of all levels to explore the allure of the mountains.
Artist Emma Rach-Syslak will teach you how to use brushwork, shape design, and how different edges create a realistic mountain scene.
With step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how to convey the unique and beautiful elements of mountainous terrain in oil paint, and create a unique holiday gift.
DEC
11
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$95
Bob Ross® Aurora Waterfall Oil Painting
with CRI® Tracey Leigh Crozier
Join Bob Ross Certified Instructor® Tracey Leigh Crozier in this fun evening workshop! All supplies are included in this wet-on-wet class where you will be led from the beginning stages to a complete oil painting of an Aurora Waterfall scene in just a few hours!
You will be shown in a step-by-step manner how to prepare a black gesso canvas with liquid clear, experience the art of mixing colour and learn how to use different painting tools to create a happy little landscape!
Unleash your inner artist! Beginners are welcome. There is no previous experience required–just the desire to paint or learn a new skill and have a great time! As Bob always said, “There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents!”
DEC
13
Saturday
10 am – 4 pm
$145
Mom & Baby Bears - Paint Along
with Connie Geerts
Join artist Connie Geerts for a heartwarming acrylic paint-along of a mother bear with her two playful cubs. This step-by-step workshop is designed for all skill levels.
Through guided demonstrations, you’ll learn essential acrylic techniques such as layering, blending, and brushwork to bring fur, form, and atmosphere to life. Connie will share practical tips on colour mixing, composition, and paint application while also offering insights into how to convey mood and connection within your painting.
By the end of the day, you’ll have a completed artwork of a mother bear and her cubs to take home and enjoy. More importantly, you’ll gain skills and confidence that will support your own future painting projects.
Abstract What You Love: Objects • Florals • Landscapes
with Nadine Johnson
This two-day workshop with Nadine Johnson is all about transforming the things that inspire you into expressive abstract paintings. Whether it’s a floral, a favourite object, or a landscape you hold close, we’ll explore how to break things down into colour, shape, and movement—and then build them back up through layering, collage, and mark-making.
Instead of focusing on finished pieces, we’ll spend our time exploring how to capture the essence of what you love in paint. You’ll discover fresh approaches, loosen up your process, and find new ways of expressing yourself through abstraction.
Beginners are welcome—no previous experience required, just a desire to paint, play, and try something new. In this workshop, there are no mistakes, only creative discoveries waiting to happen.
JAN
15
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$75
Intro to Watercolor Workshop: Landscape Edition
with Yulia Tsinko
This unique workshop with Yulia Tsinko will introduce you to a fascinating world of watercolour landscapes. We will cover the following:
- Basic wash, wet on wet, wet on dry, and dry on dry watercolour painting techniques
- Expressive techniques with non-standard tools
- How to approach a landscape in watercolour
- Painting skies in watercolour
- Various techniques for simplifying and portraying trees.
Each student will receive individual attention to help you progress at your own pace. This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience with watercolour is required!
JAN
15
Thursday
6 pm – 8 pm
$10
Watermedia & Colored Pencil Brand Ambassador Workshop
with Kirsten Bollen
Along with Kirsten Bollen, this guided workshop is a learning experience where you will have the opportunity to experiment with and learn about many different materials.
This Watermedia & Coloured Pencil Workshop will focus on Holbein Watercolour, Gouache, Acrylic Gouache, and Watercolour Mediums, as well as Holbein Coloured Pencils and MELTZ products. You will also use Legion’s 100% cotton Stonehenge Aqua White and Black papers, Yupo White paper, and an assortment of General Pencil materials.
Registrants get 30% off on *Holbein products* at Kensington Art Supply on the day of the workshop!
Empowered Artist: Build Your Own Painting Supports
with Verna Vogel
Learn to build canvas stretchers with Verna Vogel using pre-made stretcher bars, then stretch a canvas and prepare the surface for painting in acrylics or oils.
No more standard size limitations, no more picking through mass-produced pre-made canvases, searching for one that is not warped or off square. Plus, building your own supports is often more economical, and very satisfying.
Including professional tips and tricks to build excellent painting supports, this step-by-step workshop is designed to empower artists of any level, from beginner to life-long studio practitioners. We will aim to complete at least one smaller and one larger painting support for each participant.
JAN
18
Sunday
10 am – 4 pm
$155
Bob Ross® Bubbling Mountain Brook Oil Painting
with CRI® Tracey Leigh Crozier
Join Bob Ross Certified Instructor® Tracey Leigh Crozier in this fun FULL DAY workshop! All supplies are included in this wet-on-wet class where you will be led from the beginning stages to a complete oil painting of a bubbling mountain brook.
You will be shown in a step-by-step manner how to prepare a white gesso canvas with liquid white, experience the art of mixing colour and learn how to use different painting tools to create a happy little landscape.
Unleash your inner artist! Beginners are welcome. There is no previous experience required – just the desire to paint or learn a new skill and have a great time. As Bob always said, “There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents!”
Oil Painting for Beginners
with Emma Rach-Syslak
This workshop is thoughtfully crafted for beginners, or artists in other mediums looking to delve into the world of oil painting.
Throughout this hands-on experience with artist Emma Rach-Syslak, participants will be introduced to the essential tools, techniques, and principles that form the foundation of oil painting.
We will go over surfaces, brushes, colour mixing and many other intricacies that are unique to oil painting.
Beginner Acrylic Painting
with Holly McWilliams
Discover the joy of acrylic painting with Holly McWilliams!
Acrylic paint can be tricky—fast-drying, sometimes stubborn, and full of surprises. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your painting, you’re definitely not alone, and that’s exactly why Holly created this workshop! Together, you’ll tackle the challenges of acrylics and turn them into an easy, playful, and inspiring experience.
Perfect for absolute beginners or anyone wanting to explore acrylics without investing in a full kit, Holly provides almost everything you need (just bring a couple of brushes). Come enjoy a full day of creative fun, personalized guidance, and a supportive community of fellow artists—all in a relaxed, inspiring environment.
Landscape Painting Techniques: Mountains
with Yulia Tsinko
In this workshop with Yulia Tsinko, we will go over several principles and techniques for painting mountains:
- how to simplify what you see
- rocky formations as basic geometric figures
- lights and shadows
- mountain colours, demystified
- textures.
We will be doing several small studies to practice the above principles as well as a more finished painting at the end.
This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience is required. You can use either acrylic, oil (no solvents), or watercolour paint. Pastels are not allowed in this workshop.
Landscape Painting Techniques: Atmospheric Perspective
with Yulia Tsinko
Are you struggling with your paintings looking flat? Do you want to learn to add depth to your landscapes? This workshop is for you!
Together with Yulia Tsinko, we will study and practice several techniques for creating a sense of depth in your painting, including: colour and value changes, contrast, detailization, overlap, and sizing.
This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience is required. You can use either acrylic, oil (no solvents), or watercolour paint. Pastels are not allowed in this workshop.
FEB
12
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$75
Whimsical India Ink Pet Portraits Painting Workshop
with Yulia Tsinko
Do you want to learn how to paint pet portraits in a whimsical manner? Whether you haven’t touched ink before or you want to up your ink game, this workshop is for you!
With Yulia Tsinko, we will review the basics of ink painting and learn new techniques as they apply to painting pets, with a special emphasis on animal structure, fur/feathers texture, and capturing personality. We will go through a number of demos and exercises to get acquainted with a range of techniques and tools, from traditional to expressive and experimental, and apply them to create your own mini-paintings.
This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience with ink is required.
Beginner Oil Painting
with Holly McWilliams
Step into the World of Oil Painting with Holly McWilliams!
Have you ever dreamed of painting in oils but didn’t know where to start? Holly’s Beginner Oil Painting Workshop is your perfect introduction! Whether you’re a total beginner or an artist curious about trying a new medium, this workshop gives you everything you need to dive in with confidence.
Oil painting can feel tricky, but with Holly’s friendly guidance, step-by-step instruction, and a supportive, fun atmosphere, you’ll learn the techniques to create beautiful, expressive paintings with ease. All supplies are included (just bring a couple of brushes), so all you need to bring is your creativity—and your sense of adventure!
FEB
19
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$75
Whimsical India Ink Landscape Painting Workshop
with Yulia Tsinko
Fearless creativity at its best! In this workshop, we will
- go through several introductory ink painting exercises that will focus on various landscape elements
- examine line quality, value, gesture, and composition while exploring a variety of expressive ink painting techniques
- learn a simple approach to quickly capture the gist of a scene in front of you
- examine various ways of creating rich, emotional images
- work on balancing line precision with freedom of mark making, experimentation and whimsical decorations.
This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience with ink is required.
Drawing in Perspective Mini Course
with Yulia Tsinko
With Yulia Tsinko, we will learn to portray objects in space correctly and to achieve a realistic 3D effect. You can expect a lot of demos and a variety of exercises. It will cover the main principles of perspective, including drawing in 1-, 2- and 3-point perspective. We will also investigate several specific problems, such as how to draw arches and circles in perspective and how to find a centre line/point in perspective.
The course will be tailored to the participants’ individual needs and if there’s a specific perspective problem that you are struggling with, it will be given particular attention.
This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience is required.
MAR
26
Thursday
6 pm – 9 pm
$75
Whimsical India Ink Flower Painting Workshop
with Yulia Tsinko
Do you want to paint freely, loosely and with a touch of whimsy? Here’s fearless creativity at its best!
With Yulia Tsinko, we will review the basics of ink painting and learn new techniques as they apply to flowers, with a special emphasis on gesture, colour combinations, and composition. We will go through a number of demos and exercises to get acquainted with a range of techniques and tools, from traditional to expressive and experimental, and apply them to create your own mini-paintings.
This workshop is for artists of all levels and no prior experience with ink is required.