PAINTING CLASSES
Unleash your creativity with our painting classes at The Art Department. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, our friendly instructors guide you through techniques, color theory, and personal expression in a fun, supportive environment.
INTENTIONAL CHAOS
ABSTRACT ART TECHNIQUES 101
WEDNESDAY MORNING 10-12:00pm
-
Instructor: Mike Soltis
Sept 17 - Oct 8, 10 - 12:00pm
Ages 16+
4 sessions
Cost: $250+GST
Includes all materials and supplies -
TO SEE EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU CAN CREATE IN THIS CLASS:CLICK HERE
This class takes a process-based learning approach, with a focus on exploration and personal expression through abstraction. Mike will share techniques and ideas he’s developed over time to help participants learn how to work with acrylic paint in fun and interesting ways. The emphasis is on letting go of specific outcomes and embracing the unknown – leading to happy accidents and surprising outcomes. Through layering, composition, and color play, participants will push past the idea of “getting it right” and lean into experimentation. Whether you’re new to abstract art or looking to deepen your practice, this class invites you to get curious, trust the process, and see where your creativity leads. You might be surprised at what you can create!
MIX-TAKES
Where Mistakes Aren’t A Thing
MONDAY EVENING 6-8:00pm
-
Instructor: Mike Soltis
Ages 16+
Sept 15 - Oct 6, 6-8:00pm
4 sessions
Cost: $250+GST
Includes all materials and supplies
-
TO SEE EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU CAN CREATE IN THIS CLASS:
This mixed-media class takes a process-based learning approach, emphasizing exploration over perfection. Mike will introduce a range of techniques he’s developed over years of working in mixed media. These demonstrations will serve as a starting point - not a strict roadmap - encouraging each person to find their own creative language. Rather than aiming for a pre-determined final product, the focus will be on experimentation, play, and the discovery that happens when different materials interact. Whether you’re layering textures, combining found objects, or experimenting with various tools, this class is about embracing the freedom and unpredictability that mixed media art offers. No experience necessary—just a willingness to explore and get your hands messy.
LAYER SLAYER
Using Texture in Your Work
TUESDAY MORNINGS 10-12:00pm
-
Instructor: Natalie Way
Oct 7 - 28, 10-12:00pm
Ages 16+
4 sessions
Cost: $250+GST
Includes all materials and supplies
-
Get ready to dive into the world of texture and bring your paintings to life—literally. In this hands-on acrylics class, we will experiment with how texture can transform your work, whether you're drawn to bold abstraction or the dreamy vibes of Impressionism. Each week, we’ll explore different tools and techniques—palette knives, brushes, gels, and mediums—to help you add depth, grit, and dimension to your canvas. It’s all about playing, layering, and discovering what happens when paint stops behaving and starts getting interesting.
SCENE IT ALL
Landscape Painting Basics
THURSDAY MORNINGS 10-12:00pm
-
Instructor: Natalie Way
Oct 9 - 30, 10-12:00pm
Ages 16+
4 sessions
Cost: $250+GST
Includes all materials and supplies
-
Curious about painting landscapes but not sure where to begin? This class is your perfect starting point. We’ll break it all down—colour mixing, layering, creating depth—and exploring simple ways to capture skies, water, beaches, and grassy fields with acrylic paint. You'll get step-by-step guidance, room to play, and the confidence to start painting the world around you. Whether you're dreaming of ocean views or prairie skies, this is your chance to bring the outside in—one brushstroke at a time.