Watercolour Explorations: Discovering the Polar Regions and Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest with David McEown

Join award-winning artist David McEown as he guides visitors through the landscapes of the Arctic, Antarctica and Canada’s West Coast wilderness on his travels as a working artist. In this multimedia presentation David will share stories of wildlife encounters, observations of climate change, and the artistic challenges of working on location. After the presentation, enjoy an hour-long watercolour demonstration and technical talk as David discusses the evolution of a sketch into Spirit of the Forest, his new watercolour mural.

In-Person Essential Watercolour Workshop with David McEown

This introduction to watercolour technique and colour perception will help participants develop the ability to paint directly from nature, from reference images or from the imagination. Participants will learn how to translate sketches and photo references into paintings with this spontaneous and travel-friendly medium. The theme for this two-day workshop is the water and shorelines of Lake Superior.

In-Person Acrylic Painting Studio with Andrew Cheddie Sookrah

Using live demonstrations and hands-on exercises, Sookrah will guide students through the painting process in a preferred degree of abstraction and subject matter. Students will learn about tools and materials used in acrylic artmaking and, through skill-building exercises, gain a solid understanding of effective use of brushstrokes, shading, and composition. Beginner artists are welcome to join this class! Basic drawing techniques, perspective, composition, colour, texture, use of material will be covered.

Sunday Sip and Create

Relax and unwind with a sociable Sunday afternoon of artmaking at the McMichael, sustained by warm coffee or tea served in heritage china, sweet treats and sparkling beverages. This informal artmaking class is designed for artists of all skill levels and is led by experienced instructors who specialize in different mediums and subject areas.

Online Oil Painting Studio with Judy Sherman

This virtual studio experience led by artist Judy Sherman will offer instruction to emerging artists on working with the challenging but rewarding medium of oil paint. Sherman will guide participants through basic techniques and demonstrate how to apply advanced finishing touches to take their work to the next level. Through live demonstrations in oils, painting exercises, and individual coaching on the works in progress, students will learn how to see the world as an artist and how to use build a toolkit of skills to work comfortably in oil. Sherman will cover a wide range of painting skills and topics, including how to understand value, composition, colour, shape, form, lighting, brush technique and much more.

In-Person Oil Painting Weekend with Judy Sherman

This in-person weekend program will offer artists of all skill levels an intensive weekend of study in oil painting technique.  Artist Judy Sherman will cover a wide range of skills, including how to understand values, composition, colour, shape, form, and lighting, as well as how to apply effective brush techniques and more. Through demonstrations, painting exercises, and one-on-one feedback, students will learn to view and analyze the world as a visual artist.  Sherman will guide participants through basic techniques and explain how they can apply finishing touches to take their work to the next level.