Wellington Art Club Workshops in 2026
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AT WELLINGTON ART CLUB
Watercolour Landforms with Charlotte Hird 26/27 September
My Sketchbook Workshop with Charlotte Saturday 3 October
Painting Outside Without Freaking Out Workshop with Andrew James 17/18 October
ThursART in watercolour with Charlotte: 12/19/26 November and 3 December 2-4 pm or 7-9 pm
Watercolour Landforms with Charlotte
Dramatic landforms catch my eye and challenge me to capture the forms in watercolour. Learn how to capture the light on the ridges and define the shadows in the valleys. I share my approach with my students. What colours to use and where to start, how to proceed step by step. In this two-day workshop you will use the core techniques of watercolour to paint landforms. We will refresh our knowledge of washes and edges, then use them to create beautiful landscape paintings.
This is not a beginners class – you must bring your own gear
- Paints: We will use the basics of Raw Sienna, Alizarin, Cobalt as primary colours, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine, Viridian, Quinacridone Gold and Indigo – but bring all the other colours and brands you regularly use.
- Paper: 4 quarter sheets – quality 100% cotton paper 300gsm watercolour paper for good results. Buy a full sheet (76 x 56 cm) and tear into four quarter sheets for the four paintings we will make over the weekend, or good quality A3 pad is OK. Cold pressed, hot pressed or rough – I recommend Arches, Saunders Waterford, Boahong. Bring extra paper for the exercises.
- Brushes: Bring your favourite brushes including a large mop and Hake for wetting large areas quickly.
DATE: 10am – 5pm 26/27 September
Venue: Wellington Art Club, 27 Chelsea St, Miramar, Wellington.
Level: Suitable for beginners to experienced drawing and painting skills
Fee: $200
Please email to sign up now for this workshop. bookings@watercolournewzealand.nz
Subject: Landforms 2026/6
Painting outside, without freaking out with Andrew James
Drawing and painting on location can feel intimidating and even a bit scary. But outside in the world is where the real magic happens! You can see much more in real life than you can in a photograph and fully experience your subject. It makes your painting a story. This workshop makes on-location painting easier. You’ll learn how to simplify your approach and gear, work faster, and avoid getting bogged down in details. We’ll use thumbnails, value studies and quick sketches to paint faster with more freedom. Delivered with enthusiasm, energy and humour, this workshop is suitable for all levels.
Tutor: Andrew James
Date: 10am – 5pm 17/18 October
Venue: Wellington Art Club 27 Chelsea Street, Miramar, Wellington
Fee: $200 for two days 2026/7
To book this workshop email:
bookings@watercolournewzealand.nz Subject: Class 2026/7
My Sketchbook workshop with Charlotte
In the course of one day you will be guided through a series of exercises, using different materials and techniques to build up the skills needed to fill your sketchbook with confidence.
We will unlock your imagination, overcome blocks and barriers, and find ways to express your thoughts on paper.
If you have a curious mind and are looking for new ways to express yourself, then this is a great course to fire up your art.
All materials included in course fee, you will be provided with a sketchbook, pencil, ink pen, watercolour paint palette and brushes.
- bring your phone, photos and resources to make a few personal sketches.
- by the end of the course you will be able to:
draw and paint pages in your sketchbook
confidently use different materials - plan a composition using objects from your personal life
use your time to create a satisfying artwork in your sketchbook - unlock your imagination and grow as an artist
- learn about different sketchbook uses, styles and sizes
3 October 10 am – 5 pm
At Wellington Art Club, 27 Chelsea St, Miramar, Wellington
Level: Suitable for beginners to experienced painters
Fee: $70 – only two places left
Email: charhird@gmail.com
Learn to paint Watercolour at Thurs Art with Charlotte
This block course of 8 hours tuition over 4 weeks costs $100, including materials for beginners.
Each session includes watercolour technique and a step by step instruction to complete a painting in the two hour session. There is always new lesson material for this block course each week. Charlotte uses an overhead camera projected onto a wall mounted 55 inch TV for easy viewing and social distancing.
All levels are welcome to come and make art in our friendly clubrooms. Bring your own paints and brushes and two sheets of A4 300gsm good quality watercolour paper each week. ( I recommend Hahnemule )
If you are a beginner I will loan you the kit, which consists of palette, brushes and paint and advise you what to buy at the end of the course. But you will need to bring your own 300gsm watercolour paper.
Tutor Charlotte Hird is a watercolour artist who teaches for Watercolour New Zealand, at Wellington Art Club and Wellington High School Community Education, Inverlochy Art School and various other locations.
Please email Charlotte to sign up now for the November block course, and indicate which session you prefer to attend, 2-4pm or 7-9pm. Also let me know what experience you have. Beginners welcome.