Discover the pleasure of making your own sketchbook or art journal in this hands-on introduction to bookbinding.

With many years of experience in precision bookbinding and box-making, Dominique Adcock continues to find joy in binding her own sketchbooks and creating art folders and storage containers. She enjoys exploring the many possibilities of handmade books and is looking forward to sharing this rewarding skill with TSA members.

Using the traditional Coptic stitching technique, you’ll learn how to bind your own A5 prototype journal – a beautiful, practical book to make your own. This simple, ancient binding method requires no glue, and all materials and tools will be provided.

An art journal or sketchbook can be so much more than a place to draw. It can become a personal collection of sketches, colour studies, ideas, poems, favourite quotes, memories, observations or creative experiments. Use it to gather inspiration, try out new techniques, record everyday moments or simply give yourself a space to play and create.

This workshop is ideal for members who already enjoy working in a physical journal, as well as anyone curious about starting one.

A big thank you to Christie, Kim, Janet and Shona for sharing photos of their handmade journals from the 2024 workshop.

This comprehensive workshop covers Wayne’s entire process of creating an oil painting, from start to finish.

Topics covered include:

·    Simple composition planning, drawing and blocking in.

·    Practical brush techniques and expressive ways of applying paint to

achieve depth and realistic results.

·    Controlling values and colour and understanding how light interacts with

natural forms such as mountains, skies and clouds, bush, and water

reflections.

·    Colour-mixing fundamentals and paint handling, providing artists who

are new to oils with a solid grounding in the medium.

Participants will work step-by-step through an achievable landscape painting, with the aim of taking home a finished piece that serves as an illustrated record of the techniques and skills covered throughout the workshop.

Wayne Vickers is a New Zealand landscape and seascape oil painter based in Papamoa, Tauranga. An avid tramper and outdoorsman, his work draws deeply on the moods, light and atmosphere of Aotearoa’s backcountry and coastline.

As a tutor, Wayne believes in creating a relaxed, encouraging and informative studio environment where knowledge is freely shared. He focuses on breaking down the intimidation often associated with oil painting, giving students practical techniques, confidence in their brushwork and a solid foundation from which to continue their own artistic journeys.

Tauranga Society of Artists member and Master Pastelist, Maxine Thompson, returns to NZ after five months on a teaching tour in NSW, Queensland and WA. Join Maxine for a hands-on workshop exploring the wonderful possibilities of pastel portraiture.

Maxine will demonstrate techniques and lead exercises exploring facial expressions, character and personality in portraiture. You’ll also learn about developing skin tones, creating depth and bringing your subject to life, while gaining insights and tips from an experienced pastel artist.

Whether you’re an experienced pastel artist wanting to explore portraiture, or a portrait artist keen to discover the possibilities of pastel, this workshop offers a chance to explore a wonderfully expressive medium and its ability to capture character, personality and emotion. Beginners welcome.