Upcoming Workshops

Daku Resort, Savusavu, Fiji
October 19-26th 2024
"Discovery, Inspiration and Technique"
Cost and detailed info via Paradise Courses
***This workshop is confirmed***

Mark is coming back to Fiji for another painting retreat – two years on the trot to a place he loves and values for its rich painting opportunities and welcoming environment. He will once again immerse himself and his class into the inspiration and opportunities of this corner of Fiji. He finds endless excitement and inspiration in the waters of the island – the shapes and shadows of the coral reefs below the water, the abundant fish life and towering coral heads that could be seen when snorkelling and the sweeping views across the bay.

This course is run by the fantastic Paradise Courses, please click here for all the detailed information and to make a booking!

Woolgoolga, NSW
November 9-10th 2024
Unlock The Light
$340

****THIS WORKSHOP IS FULLY BOOKED****

Let’s create an image - a bay with headlands in the distance.  Over this 2 day workshop we’ll use that image to investigate how light behaves to create the illusion of distance, and how that is affected as the day transitions from bright sunlight until early evening.

This workshop is less about the image itself, and more about developing a deeper understanding of how light behaves, and how that then translates into the illusion of distance and mood, and ultimately realism.  The first exercise will be a rudimentary understanding of how light behaves in broad terms.  The rest of the time will be spent understanding the subtleties and nuances of what light does in the shadows, and how that affects the colours that you use.

You will come to the workshop with three images blocked in based on a pre-recorded tutorial which will represent a scene at midday, mid afternoon and early evening. Then over the workshop we’ll use the theories and concepts to add the detail and nuance and a deeper understanding of the changes to light as the day progresses.  We’ll be investigating brush technique as well, including dry brushing, wet-in-wet blending and wet over dry.

This workshop is suitable for painters of all levels of experience, however it may be quite challenging for a beginner. We are aiming to understand these images and develop techniques to support the illusion of light during this 2-day workshop, rather than striving to complete a painting.  Knowledge is the goal here.  Journey over destination situation.

For the full workshop flyer, click here.

An $80 deposit is required to secure your place in this workshop.  Please contact us through this form to make your booking :)

Enclave Tasmania
Arts Retreat
5th-11th October 2025
Winneleah, Tasmania

More info coming soon!  Make sure you're signed up to our mailing list (below) for all the information first.  Retreat is limited to 10 participants :)

Join our workshops mailing list so you can be first with the info!

For news of upcoming workshops in your local area, check here!

To check out past workshops, click here.

****2024 and ongoing WORKSHOPS***

COVID-19 update:

Due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic we have been unable to run regular workshops in our normal face-to-face format ---- this situation appears to be evolving for the better due to vaccination programs and competent contact tracing efforts to contain outbreaks!  We are holding workshops again about 3-4 times per year under Covid safe guidelines.  Contact us for further information or bookmark and check this page regularly.

Hope you're all staying safe :)

For exclusive info ONLY about Mark's upcoming workshops, you can...

Mark's Health update:

As you may now know, Mark was hospitalised with a brain tumour on the 19th May 2016 the day after his solo exhibition "Time & Space" in Fremantle WA closed, and the day before a series of sell-out workshops were due to commence in the South-West of WA.  

Surgery to attempt to remove the tumour occurred on the 23rd May, 2016.  Mark received results from pathology indicating his melanoma (from 2013) had reappeared in the form of a brain tumour. They also discovered 2 tumours on his lungs.  His treatment required an ongoing mix of immunotherapy, drug therapy and radiotherapy; as well as regular scans and assessment.

Due to the ongoing treatment and rehabilitation Mark requires, his workshops and classes for 2017,  2018 and 2019 were structured slightly differently; to allow him to rest when required.  Managing a group of diverse people, teaching and painting at the same time, is extremely challenging - and we will continue to take it slowly with workshops planned for 2020 and beyond.  We want to make you aware if you have attended a workshop with Mark in the past, it will now be a slightly different experience.  In saying all that we are committed to providing you with a quality learning experience packed with information to improve your painting process, and will do our utmost to deliver this.

Mark commenced radiotherapy treatment in early 2018 and his subsequent scans have come back with all tumours inactive.  However, he received immunotherapy treatment until October 2018, and this treatment does have side effects.  He had a bronchoscopy in January 2019 as a subsequent scan showed some irregularities in his right lung.  The results of this showed inflammation in the lung due to the immunotherapy treatment.

However, as at January 2019, Mark is so happy to share that there is no evidence of cancer in his body.  We want to thank you all so much for your continued love and support.  It means so, so much to not only Mark, but all of us close to him.  Due to this news, Mark is keen to get back into workshops!

We will continue to monitor his energy levels before planning  future workshops.  If you are subscribed to our workshops mailing list, you will be the first to know of any upcoming workshop events in the planning.

We thank you for your patience and ongoing support :)

For exclusive info ONLY about Mark's upcoming workshops, you can...

If you would like us to organise a workshop in your local area,

please contact us.

This is not as difficult as you might think, as Mark is willing to travel pretty much anywhere, and is always up for a new adventure, pending health. If you can get a group of friends together who are interested in having Mark as a workshop tutor, please don't hesitate to contact us!

For all past workshops -- notes, experiences, videos and more, click here.  This is the place to visit if you are considering a workshop but don't know what to expect.

For all the latest updates on upcoming workshops, as well as great tips, techniques to take the pain out of your paintings, and subscriber only deals, subscribe to our monthly ezine Acrylics Anonymous!

All our valued subscribers receive many fantastic things, including access to our

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Thanks heaps!  Hope to see you at a workshop soon.

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