Learn the fundamentals of painting with watercolour with experienced artist Esther Shelley.

About the course: 

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to watercolour painting taking  inspiration from subjects in nature.  Through a series of exercises and projects students will learn about materials, basic colour theory and techniques for applying watercolour paint to paper.  Suitable for students just starting the watercolour journey, there will be step by step instruction throughout each session.                                                                   

Watercolour One is the first course of a 4-part series and is a recommended prerequisite for the follow-on Watercolour Two, Three and Four.

• Dates: 21 July – 11 August 2026
  
• Days/Times: Tuesdays, 6.00pm - 8.30pm
• Venue: NatureArt Lab, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

Learning outcomes:

- Knowledge of watercolour materials: paints, papers, brushes and palettes.
- An understanding of basic colour theory and colour mixing.
- Skills in techniques of applying paint to paper.

Requirements: Suitable for 16+ ages, beginners and those wanting to revise their practice. 

Materials List:  A materials list will be provided shortly before the course begins. Please keep an eye out for our email - check your JUNK and SPAM folders as we are finding a lot of our emails going here.

Administration:  There is free dedicated parking onsite as well as a cafe and supermarket within a 5 minute walk (please check opening times). 

About the tutor:

 Esther Shelley is an established artist who was based on the North Coast and recently moved back to Canberra. When it comes to expressing her ideas, she enjoys working with various mediums, including: watercolour, vitreous enamel in fine jewellery, handcrafted ceramics and painting water based oil and acrylics paints. She has exhibited on the Gold Coast and in Sydney and enjoys the process of creating bodies of work with inspirational meaning and content that draws others into a world of colour, texture and transparency reflected through her work.

Having painted for over 30 years, Esther Shelley brings an extesive knowledge to the course participants which she is delighted to share and has the ability to make one feel at ease when tackling a new medium like watercolour, dispelling unfounded myths about watercolour and bringing together the magic of colour, water, paper and design with good reasons to satisfy most of the questions thrown her way.  She loves seeing the beautiful expressions of those in the class and delights in the progress that is inevitable as one spends time painting with watercolour

When asked what she finds the most satisfying about teaching the basics in watercolour techniques, Esther said "I love seeing the reactions of delight and satisfaction as students begin to enjoy the potential for creative expression they can achieve through this extremely versatile medium".

NatureArt Lab Awards:

2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT

2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT. 

Image credit: Esther Shelley