Workshop | Expressive Drawing and Painting - Animals with Tannya Harricks

Join acclaimed artist and illustrator Tannya Harricks for an inspiring day of creativity, where you'll explore drawing and painting animals with energy and expression. Tannya, celebrated for her vivid and emotive work, has illustrated picture books Dingo (2018) and Kookaburra (2020) for Walker Books, showcasing her unique ability to bring animals to life through dynamic brushwork and bold use of colour.

In this hands-on workshop, you can focusing on your favourite animal —be it your pet or native animals. Bring along your reference material, including photographs, sketches, or even quick studies, as Tannya guides you through techniques to loosen up and break free from rigid approaches.

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.

Leave the day not only with a completed artwork but also with new skills, fresh ideas, and the confidence to bring life and personality to your future creations.

Is this course right for me?

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 animal (pets are welcome subjects!)
• Prepare a few composition options or poses/angles of the animal. These could be photographs of your dog, cat or other animal in different poses, printed out to A4 size.

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.

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.

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