June 2026 - Lynne Lucas - Watercolour
Lynne has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. Her creative passion flourished despite growing up in a dysfunctional family. Art became her safety net, a place to find solace and express herself, leading Lynne to teach herself the skills that define her unique style today.
Now the President of the Art Lovers Movement, Lynne plays a central role in the vibrant art scene at Cooranbong, nestled in the heart of the Hunter. Her dedication to fostering creativity and community is evident in every meeting she hosts and every canvas she fills.
Married and always up for adventure, Lynne travels our wonderful country in a caravan, ensuring her trusty art box is never far from hand. Her journeys, filled with inspiration from Australia’s diverse landscapes, fuel her artistic spirit and keep her life anything but boring.
In addition to her creative pursuits, Lynne is a keen golfer. Balancing her love for art with time on the greens, she embraces life’s challenges with enthusiasm and determination, proving that with the right attitude, life is never dull.
MATERIAL LIST:
We will be doing a watercolour landscape.
Paper: 300 gsm any size watercolour paper but must be good paper
Watercolour paper: Primary colours at least
Palette to hold watercolour mix + flat palette or piece of baking paper
Backing board or easel
Masking tape
Water container(s)
Paper towel/rags
Lead pencil HB
Kneadable eraser
Paper: 300 gsm good quality watercolour paper any size
Practice scrap paper
Drop cloth
PACKED LUNCH
Lynne has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. Her creative passion flourished despite growing up in a dysfunctional family. Art became her safety net, a place to find solace and express herself, leading Lynne to teach herself the skills that define her unique style today.
Now the President of the Art Lovers Movement, Lynne plays a central role in the vibrant art scene at Cooranbong, nestled in the heart of the Hunter. Her dedication to fostering creativity and community is evident in every meeting she hosts and every canvas she fills.
Married and always up for adventure, Lynne travels our wonderful country in a caravan, ensuring her trusty art box is never far from hand. Her journeys, filled with inspiration from Australia’s diverse landscapes, fuel her artistic spirit and keep her life anything but boring.
In addition to her creative pursuits, Lynne is a keen golfer. Balancing her love for art with time on the greens, she embraces life’s challenges with enthusiasm and determination, proving that with the right attitude, life is never dull.
MATERIAL LIST:
We will be doing a watercolour landscape.
Paper: 300 gsm any size watercolour paper but must be good paper
Watercolour paper: Primary colours at least
Palette to hold watercolour mix + flat palette or piece of baking paper
Backing board or easel
Masking tape
Water container(s)
Paper towel/rags
Lead pencil HB
Kneadable eraser
Paper: 300 gsm good quality watercolour paper any size
Practice scrap paper
Drop cloth
PACKED LUNCH
July 2026 - Bob Saxon - Medium - Oil Paints Only for this Demo
I like to paint ‘plein air’ impressionists style paintings and searching for subjects locally and across the country, has become a passion and a lifestyle. My first art experience was at Lambton Public School, when I was about ten years old, and over the years I’ve maintained an interest in art, taking an Art Certificate course at Hunter St TAFE. I joined the Society of Artists Newcastle Inc. at Lambton Park in 2007 and regularly attend their portrait classes on Monday mornings. After many years of painting from photos and regular outdoor painting, I now usually only paint ‘plein air’. Last year I attended three major plein air events, ‘Plein Air Downunder’ in Mandurah WA, ‘Art in the Open’ in Wexford, Ireland and ‘Capital Plein Air’ in Canberra.
My plan is to help you get control of your oil paints. Being able to control the paint, rather than the paint controlling you, is the secret to working with oils. Painting ‘alla prima’ or ‘wet on wet’ is a very satisfying process when you are in control of the paint. The main criteria for any successful painting is composition, composition and composition. Of course, an interesting subject, colour, sunlight and shadows all contribute to a pleasing outcome. I'll demonstrate a painting composition in the morning session and have multiple copies of our painting subject for the workshop session in the afternoon.
My plan is to help you get control of your oil paints. Being
able to control the paint, rather than the paint controlling
you, is the secret to working with oils. Painting ‘alla
prima’ or ‘wet on wet’ is a very satisfying process when you are in control of the paint.
1. The main criteria for any successful painting is composition, composition and
composition. Of course, an interesting subject, colour, sunlight and shadows all
contribute to a pleasing outcome. I'll demonstrate a painting composition in the
morning session and have multiple copies of our painting subject for the workshop
session in the afternoon.
Material List:
1. Bring along a board or painting surface of your choosing. They should be as big as you can manage. Bunnings sell 3 mm thick MDF sheet, 120 X 90 cms with a melamine sealing on one side (typically used for lining cupboards, etc) for around $15. These can be cut (Bunnings will cut to size if you ask them) into smaller panels to suit your needs. Coat the ’raw’ unsealed side with two coats of a ‘light coloured’ interior house paint, and they are ready to go. Alternatively, you can use a piece of primed canvas taped onto a backing board.
2. Bring your ‘normal’ oil paint supply with at least the basic colours, red or crimson, yellow, ultramarine blue and white, plus any other favourites. It’s quite amazing what you can create with these basic colours. I use Art Spectrum paints in general, but any brand of paint is fine.
3. I use ‘Taklon long flat’ brushes which can be used to give a broad or thin stroke, but again, bring your normal brushes and we’ll work with them.
4. My preferred medium is Archival odourless lean. It’ relatively fast drying and gives a matt finish. A medium allows you to ‘thin’ the paint and make it ‘buttery’. Bring your usual medium along and I’ll have some Archival medium that you can try. Bring a small container for the medium.
5. Please don’t bring any ‘turps’ or solvents, not even those listed as ‘odourless’. Seems there are quite a few people who have a (bad) reaction to solvents, which include headaches and nausea. Paper towel is indispensable when using oil paint, and brushes can be wiped clean with paper towel during the day, with solvents used to properly clean brushes at home. A plastic bag is also handy to collect the ‘used’ paper towel.
August 2026 - Hettie Rowley - Pastel Portrait Artist
I work mainly in soft pastel, watercolour, and gouache — each medium brings something different to a painting. Pastel gives rich depth and softness, watercolour has an easy, spontaneous flow, and gouache sits somewhere in between with its beautiful matte surface.Every portrait starts with a strong photo reference, but it never stays a copy for long.
Once I begin painting, I focus on light, tone, and presence — the things that make a face, or a gesture, feel real. I want the work to hold attention quietly, not shout for it.My portraits aren’t about perfection; they’re about character. I look for the honest, natural expression that tells you who someone is. The result should feel balanced, authentic, and alive — something that feels right every time you look at it.
Each piece is built carefully in layers, using professional artist materials made to last. I take time with every stage, from sketch to finish, so what you receive isn’t just a likeness, but a painting with its own quiet life.
If you’re thinking about commissioning a portrait — of a person, a pet, or a moment you’d like to keep — I’ll work with you to create something personal, considered, and made to stand the test of time.
September 2026 - Marijke Greenway - Oils
Marijke Greenway is an Australian artist living on the Central Coast amidst stunning scenery from which she gets her inspiration.
“Plein air painting is what I do best – ninety five percent of my work is painted on site – my favourite subject at present being trees – I find immense satisfaction in capturing the sense of ” being there” – of distilling the essence of nature and recording all the permutations of colour seen and felt.“
October 2026 - Denise Lombard - Medium of Your Choice
Understanding the Colour Wheel
In 2001, for their safety, Denise and her husband moved from South Africa to Australia. To appreciate their adopted country they decided to explore this vast continent, especially the outback, traversing major areas of their new home. The diversity, colours, textures, light and mood of the landscape inspired Denise to renew her passion with painting. Over the years, working as a physiotherapist, wife and mother, she attended many art courses and lately online classes.
Denise has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions and been a finalist in public galleries. Her creative urges find her in her studio where time does not exist as she creates a work. Often challenging and frustrating, it is ultimately satisfying when it all comes together.
Denise is now creating a new series, using natural materials to create mixed media and collage work on wood and canvas. She will be exploring the colour wheel with us at this workshop.
November 2026 - Gwendolin Lewis - Pastels
Welcome to My World of Colour and Light. I earned my Fine Art Degree at Newcastle University in 2001, specialising in painting. My training in commercial design still informs the precision and structure of my work, but every piece is ultimately a celebration of nature.
Inspiration: Trees, natural shapes and the ever-changing sea.
Style: From sof impressionistic pastels to bold, abstract oil canvases that capture the raw energy of maritime life.
Experience: 40 years living by the coast have deepened my connection to the ocean's moods.
Welcome to My World of Colour and Light. I earned my Fine Art Degree at Newcastle University in 2001, specialising in painting. My training in commercial design still informs the precision and structure of my work, but every piece is ultimately a celebration of nature.
Inspiration: Trees, natural shapes and the ever-changing sea.
Style: From sof impressionistic pastels to bold, abstract oil canvases that capture the raw energy of maritime life.
Experience: 40 years living by the coast have deepened my connection to the ocean's moods.