WORKSHOPS
Explore our calendar filled with an array of exciting events designed to ignite your passion for art and foster your growth as a creator.
From hands-on art classes where you can refine your skills and experiment with new techniques, to inspiring art workshops that bring together artists of all levels, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
PLEASE NOTE, WORKSHOPS ARE EXCLUSIVE TO MEMBERS OF THE TAURANGA SOCIETY OF ARTISTS
Interested in becoming a member? Click the link for further information: https://www.taurangaart.com/membership
WORKSHOP - WASHES & EDGES IN WATERCOLOUR
with CHARLOTTE HIRD
One day Workshop – Saturday 21 March 2026
Charlotte Hird is a Wellington watercolour artist with 8 years teaching experience is watercolour techniques. Using watercolour, this is a beginner one day workshop to introduce core techniques of various types of washes and the basic hard edge and soft edge – lost and found techniques. Charlotte uses an overhead camera projected onto a large TV screen to show the simple step by step process for teaching.
Included in the workshop fee:
Comprehensive handout and step by step instructions.
Palette, set of 7 brushes, water container, ruler, pencil eraser, 5 sheets A4 300gsm watercolour paper, plastic palight backing board.
Where: The Art Room – 171a Elizabeth Street Ext. Tauranga
Date: Saturday 21 March 2026
Time: 9 am - 4pm 2
Cost: $110 for the day.
Bring: Your courage, your lunch; and Nothing else – Everything is supplied for you to use, including the 300gsm watercolour paper.
Class no: Maximum 14 attendees
What You Will Learn:
Learn the core techniques of watercolour and then create landscapes, a still life and learn to place people in the landscape. Watercolour is all about control of the water on the brush, the pigment in your palette and the dampness of the paper. Only practice will guarantee good control of these elements. To make that practice fun we will use vibrant colours and make beautiful edges and washes. We will explore wet into wet technique and blend colours. You will leave with a handful of paintings and some core knowledge that will carry you onward in your watercolour journey.
REGISTRATIONS CLOSED - WORKSHOP FULL
please email tutorials@taurangaart.com if you would like to go on a waiting list
WORKSHOP - LANDFORMS IN WATERCOLOUR
with CHARLOTTE HIRD
One day Workshop - Sunday 22 March 2026
Charlotte Hird is a Wellington watercolour artist with 8 years teaching experience is watercolour techniques. This one-day workshop is focussed on achieving spatial depth in landforms and capturing the light on the ridges and shadow in the valleys. This course is
for intermediate painters and suitable for students looking to further develop their watercolour skills.
Where: The Art Room – 171a Elizabeth Street Ext. Tauranga
Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Time: 9 am - 4pm
Cost: $80 for the day.
Bring: All your painting gear (brushes, palette, water container, pencil, kneadable eraser, box of tissues).
Two quarter sheets or A3 of quality 300gsm watercolour
paper.
We will use Raw Sienna, Alizarin, Cobalt, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine for one painting and Quinacridone Gold and Indigo for the other.
Class no: Maximum 16 attendees
What You Will Learn:
Techniques for painting spatial depth in your landscapes.
Techniques for painting the light on the ridges and the shadows in the valleys.
Tips on achieving an even wash, mixing colour, handling your brush, hard and soft edges and blending colours.
Advantages and unity of a limited palette.
Included in the workshop fee:
Comprehensive handout and step by step instructions
REGISTRATIONS CLOSED - WORKSHOP FULL
please email tutorials@taurangaart.com if you would like to go on a waiting list
WORKSHOP - PRACTICAL OIL PAINTING
FUNDAMENTALS with DAMIEN KURTH
Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 April
Damien is a painter who works from life in a variety of different mediums, with oil painting being one of the main areas. He has over 25 years’ experience exhibiting and tutoring and is the winner of several prestigious art awards. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts from Otago Polytechnic and his work is held in numerous collections in NZ Aotearoa and worldwide.
Date: Saturday & Sunday, 25–26 April 2026
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $180 for the weekend
Where: The Art Room, Tauranga Society of Artists 171a Elizabeth Street Ext.
Class no: Minimum 6 and maximum 10 attendees
All materials will be supplied, just bring your own lunch and snacks and a willingness to explore and fun.
What you will learn:
In this workshop participants will learn practical approaches to using oil paint and how to problem solve issues that arise in the painting process. This will include colour theory, composition, value, and understanding proportions. The workshop is suitable for all experience levels.
INTRO ART WORKSHOPS
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Discover the beauty and expression of both human and animal eyes in “The Eyes Have It,” a special three-part series that is part of our Art Intro series. Designed for members eager to build skills and explore different mediums, this introductory series guides you through painting eyes in watercolour (Session 1), capturing form and detail through drawing (Session 2), and creating rich, expressive effects with soft pastels (Session 3).
INTRO ART - 'THE EYES HAVE IT' - SESSION 1 COMPLETED
INTRO ART - 'THE EYES HAVE IT' - SESSION 2
DRAWING
with ROBIN PURLLANT
WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH
Artist and illustrator Robin Purllant is renowned for his strong drawing skills, honed over a long career in illustration and design. A patient and encouraging tutor, he enjoys helping artists build confidence and sharpen their observation. In this session, Robin will focus on drawing expressive, realistic eyes, sharing techniques to capture depth, subtle detail, and the unique character that brings a portrait to life.
Date: Wednesday 18 March
Time: 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $30
Where: The Art Room, Tauranga Society of Artists 171a Elizabeth
Street Ext.
Class no: Minimum 10 and maximum 16 attendees
All materials will be supplied.
INTRO ART - 'THE EYES HAVE IT' - SESSION 3
SOFT PASTELS
with MAXINE THOMPSON
WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH
Pastelist Maxine Thompson is a highly respected portrait artist, celebrated for capturing the character and emotion of both people and animals. With decades of experience and a generous teaching style, she helps artists build skill and confidence. In this session, Maxine will share her expertise in painting animal and human eyes in pastel, revealing techniques to create depth, expression, and realism.
Date: Wednesday 25 March
Time: 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $30
Where: The Art Room, Tauranga Society of Artists 171a Elizabeth
Street Ext.
Class no: Minimum 10 and maximum 16 attendees
All materials will be supplied.
INTRO ART WORKSHOPS
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
INTRO ART - PASTELS - THREE WORKSHOPS
COMING IN APRIL
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding sessions or workshops