An Upper Clutha Community Arts Council Project
CLASS
TUTOR
FEE
$495
07
Shona Mackenzie
Contemporary painting
Join Shona Mackenzie for five jam-packed days of mixed media exploration inspired by Central Otago’s rugged landscape.
Immerse yourself in the stunning autumnal landscape of Wānaka and build a series of expressive, semi-abstract works that are uniquely yours. With plenty of demonstrations, loads of hands-on learning and personal research, you will move past representational drawing and dive deep into your process. You will learn a raft of techniques, follow your ‘what if’s’ and develop your own visual language.
Start the week off by learning how to create your own concertina sketchbook, lay down some initial marks, explore colour palettes and build your personal plein air kit.
Mid-week will be spent out in the landscape, working in your panoramic sketchbook in a loose and free way. Using a limited palette you’ll discover how to capture the essence of a landscape by refining what you record.
Over the last three days you’ll explore an array of mixed media and acrylic techniques. You’ll develop your knowledge of the elements that work together to create intriguing semi-abstract pieces. Using your sketchbook, memory and intuition you’ll produce a series of works on canvas that expresses your response to Wānaka.
Be prepared to get messy and work in new ways! Many of the skills and approaches you will learn from Shona will be transferable to further creative endeavours in other media.
This course is suitable for all levels of artists - from beginners to more advanced artists looking for a refresh or change in direction. To discover more about Shona’s practice head to her Instagram or Facebook pages.
Liberated Landscape Course Materials
I will have some materials available in trial amounts (see below) to purchase but you’ll bring the majority of your own materials and tools. Some of the materials (such as drawing media) have lots of suggestions – don’t feel you need everything, instead choose a few different items. If you are attending with a friend it could be worth sharing some supplies.
Having studied in Glasgow and in the Borders at the Scottish College of Textiles, and later at the University of Auckland, Shona Mackenzie has a background in art, creative design and education. After years of teaching she returned to art full time in 2021. Working out of Villa Studios in Tauranga’s Historic Village, Shona creates, teaches, and undertakes organisational roles to promote the visual arts in Tauranga, such as being on the organising committee of the inaugural 2024 Bay of Plenty Open Studios.
Shona’s semi-abstract work is influenced by the beauty of the natural world and her deep connection to the lands of her two homes - Aotearoa New Zealand and Scotland. As a visual collector she subconsciously gathers the special and often fleeting moments found in nature. The essence of what she observes is savoured and stored, to later reappear unbidden in her art.
Predominantly a process-driven artist, Shona never quite knows when an image will find its way onto canvas and rarely has a firm idea of how a piece will resolve before she starts.
Shona was recently awarded the title of Auckland Finalist for the prestigious STUFF Art Aotearoa Gold Award for Art Excellence at the Auckland Art Show.
Please bring:
· An open mind and a willingness to let go!
· An apron or old shirt
· A small notebook and pen for notes
· Rags and or baby wipes
· A water container that fits your biggest paintbrush eg an old ice-cream container
· A couple of small jars or plastic cups for mixing washes
· A generous mixing palette eg a small shallow tray
· Baking paper and paper towels (for a wet palette)
· Scissors
· Masking tape
· A metal ruler
· A pencil
· Medium to fine sandpaper
· cotton wool buds
· A spray bottle of water
· A small bottle of isopropyl alcohol (spray or dropper)
· An old mounting mat (no smaller than A4 cut into two L shapes)
· 3 to 5 stretched canvases, no smaller than 25 cm square and no bigger than 60 cm square (kmart, warehouse stationery, spotlight and hobbyland all do canvas at reasonable prices.
· Acrylic paints in a range of colours plus white (I highly recommend Golden Open, but other brands are fine - please don’t bring Atelier Interactives as they are not compatible with my techniques).
· Any other acrylic or water-based media you may already have. Eg, inks, liquid charcoal watercolour etc
· Waterproof indian ink (ensure you test it, don't rely on the label as many inks say they are waterproof but aren’t. I use Schmincke 1912 or Pebeo Graphic.
· Any acrylic pastes or grounds Eg fibre paste, modelling paste, watercolour ground, pumice paste. These are not a requirement but this is a great chance to use them if you have some.
· A few different types of drawing media. Eg inktense pencils or blocks, watercolour pencils, Caran D’Ache neocolour IIs, wax or oil pastels, chalk pastels, posca pens, charcoal, graphite etc
· White gesso
· Gloss medium (if you have a glazing medium bring that too)
· Spray varnish or fixative
A selection of collage materials in black white or grey scale, e.g. old book or magazine pages, dress patterns,
· tissue paper, discarded prints or drawings, old letters etc.
· A range of paint brushes from small to large (make sure at least one is 8 to 10cm wide) in various shapes (round, chisel, flat, fan etc) and textures (soft hake, medium, stiff bristle etc) none of these need to be expensive. Maybe include brushes created for other purposes too e.g. a shaving brush, toothbrush, a baby’s hair brush etc.
· A variety of mark making tools, eg pipettes/droppers, palette knives, corrugated cardboard a roller or brayer, an old credit card, a comb, catalysts, spalutar or other kitchen utensils, skewers, twigs, a large feather, cling film or tin foil, textured fabrics, a trowel or paint stripping tool etc.
· A cushion in a sealed plastic bag or a lightweight camping stool
· A toolbox, basket or similar to carry plein air kit
· A lightweight drawing board to lean on when working outside
· If you prefer to work on an easel feel free to bring one - but this is not required.
I will bring:
· Golden Open paints in small amounts available to purchase to trial.
· Heavy A1 paper required to create our concertina sketchbooks and for further exploration, $5 a sheet.
· Paper for palette swatches.
· Small amounts of pastes, grounds and mediums available to purchase to trial.