Workshop | Expressive Drawing and Painting - Birds with Tannya Harricks

Join celebrated artist and illustrator Tannya Harricks for a creative and expressive drawing and painting workshop exploring the beauty and character of native Australian birds. Tannya’s distinctive style has brought Australian wildlife to life in acclaimed picture books like Dingo (2018) and Kookaburra (2020), commissioned by Walker Books. This workshop focuses on capturing the lively essence of birds through bold, loose, and expressive drawing and painting techniques.

Bring your favourite bird as your subject—whether it’s a kookaburra, cockatoo, or any feathered friend that inspires you. Using your own reference images or sketches, Tannya will guide you in exploring techniques that encourage freedom and individuality in your art. Through demonstrations, practical exercises, and personal feedback, you’ll learn to create dynamic compositions, experiment with mark-making, colour and brushwork, and develop your own expressive style.

What to expect

Through demonstrations, practical exercises, and one-on-one feedback, you'll learn to develop your own expressive drawing and painting style. Experiment with a range of approaches while capturing the character and essence of your chosen animal. This workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to inject freedom and individuality into their art, whether you're a beginner or an experienced painter.

What will I achieve?

Leave the day with a completed artwork on paper or canvas, and new found confidence to bring birds to life in your art. Whether you’re inspired by the vibrant hues of parrots or the unique charm of kookaburras, this workshop will help you capture their spirit in your own distinctive way.

Is this course right for me?

Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike, this workshop offers a supportive space to embrace creativity, try new approaches, and celebrate the diversity and charm of birds through art. No prior experience necessary—just come prepared to have fun and discover the joy of expressive drawing and painting.

Materials

What to Bring:

• A reference image or sketches of your chosen bird/s (photos of wild birds or pets are great!)

Students are welcome to paint with their preference of oil, acrylic or watercolour paints.

• Please bring your usual paints, and brushes.
• Paper (300gsm for watercolour), canvas paper (for oil or acrylic), stretched canvas or board (for oil or acrylic) - any size is fine, A3 or larger
• Pencils 
• A few sheets of A3 or A2 cartridge paper for sketching
• Soft/chalk pastels
• 4 large bulldog clips
• Rags/paper towel
• Packet of wet/sanitiser wipes
• Paint palette (palette paper, old plates, plastic ice cream lids, board, perspex etc.

If using oil paints

• You will need ODOURLESS solvent - at least 500 ml.
• Oil painting solvents and mediums must not be tipped down the sinks.
• Jars with lids to take away spent solvents/mediums.
• Gloves (optional, but recommended particularly if you are sensitive to oil paints and/or solvents)

Tea and coffee is provided, please bring some lunch.

Images: Kookaburras by Tannya Harricks

About studio classes

Our class sizes are small, ensuring you receive the individual tuition you need. We have a maximum of 12 students per class.

Unless otherwise noted, prices *exclude* art materials. Click here to see a list of local art supply retailers.

To learn about our studios, amenites and how to get there, click here.

More Information

FAQs Terms & ConditionsSpecial Offers