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 - PASTEL WORKSHOP with MAXINE THOMPSON
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February
Underpainting Landscapes and Animals in the Landscape
Join renowned New Zealand pastelist, Maxine Thompson, for an inspiring workshop exploring the power of underpainting in pastel landscape work.
Designed for artists of all levels, this weekend workshop focuses on building strong foundations through thoughtful colour choices, tonal planning, and expressive mark making.
Participants will learn how to create luminous lanscapes and seamlessly integrate animals into their natural settings, using underpainting techniques to enhance depth, atmosphere and storytelling.
Through demonstrations, guided practice, and personalised feedback, Maxine shares her signature approach to capturing light, movement and peacefulness or drama of the environment.
What You Need to Bring: Your pastel equipment. Other items to be confirmed.
Where: The Art Room - Tauranga Society of Artists 171a
Elizabeth St Ext.
Dates: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February 2026
Time: 9.00am - 4pm
Cost: $185
Class no: Maximum 12 attendees
WORKSHOPS - WATERCOLOURS: KEEPING IT SIMPLE FOR BEGINNERS WITH JAYNE LYDFORD
Wednesday 11th, 18th and 25th of February 2026
Do you want to try watercolours? Learn about the basic principles of watercolours! Join Jayne for 3 consecutive Wednesday mornings in February.
From the paper, paints and brushes, to applying washes, making colour charts, and adjusting your values, I'll take you through my 9- hour course (3 hours each Wednesday) and set you on a path to develop your own style of watercolour. From these basic skills
you'll find a whole new world of creating your art through the TSA.
Jayne Lydford:
Watercolours are my favourite hobby, and I have had several years of experience. Since joining the TSA I enjoy the opportunities they provide for me to improve my skills, and to use their Expos to display and sell my art. I look forward to meeting, and sharing my knowledge, with you.
Facebook: Jayne Lydford Art Email: croozinlydfords@gmail.com Mobile: 021611974
What You Need to Bring:
Jayne will supply paper and paint for this workshop. Please bring brushes if you have them, however some can be loaned on the day.
Where: The Art Room - Tauranga Society of Artists 171a
Elizabeth St Ext.
Dates: Wednesday 11, 18 and 25 February 2026
Time: 9.00am - 12pm
Cost: $60 for three sessions
Class no: Minimum 5 and maximum 10 attendees
REGISTRATIONS CLOSED - WORKSHOP FULL
WORKSHOP - MIXED MEDIA PORTRAIT PAINTING with ULEMJ GLAMUZINA
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY
Dive into the world of mixed media portrait painting and discover the exciting possibilities of combining different materials and techniques to create stunning, textured portraits! This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to push the boundaries of traditional portraiture and experiment with acrylics, pastels, ink, and even collage.
Throughout the session, we’ll explore the basics of portrait drawing and painting, then move into layering various media to bring your portrait to life in new and unexpected ways. Whether you are looking to add dramatic texture, bold colour, or unique abstract elements, this workshop will help you expand your
artistic toolbox and express yourself through portraiture like never before.
What You Need to Bring
Packed lunch and drink: Please bring your own lunch
and any drinks you like to have during the day.
Apron: Protect your clothing from paint and other mixed media materials.
Old rag or paper towels: To clean brushes and materials during the session.
Additional brushes or tools (optional): If you have
any special brushes or tools you'd like to use (for example, palette knives, sponge brushes, etc.), feel free to bring them along.
All materials such as paints, pastels, papers, canvas boards, and texture mediums will be provided.
Where: The Art Room – Tauranga Society of Artists, 171a Elizabeth Street Ext.
Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
Time: 9.30am – 1.30pm
Cost: $87 for the workshop for members
Class numbers: Minimum 10 and maximum 15 attendees.
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.
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
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding sessions or workshops