Basics of Composition in Art: Theory and Practice for Beginners

When art competition judges discuss winning artworks, one of the things they always talk about is ‘an excellent composition’. For beginners, composition may be hard to understand compared to other aspects such as selecting your subject matter, colours etc. It is crucial how we place and combine elements in our artworks. 

In this workshop, students learn how composition theory developed over time, the way different schools and art movements approach it, and what is current today. We discuss how composition elements and principles (proportion, contrast, repetition, balance, movement, rhythm etc.) can be applied to make your artwork catch the eye of the viewer. Students discover if they have an intuitive sense of composition, or their skills need developing through practice. 

This workshop is an organic combination of theory and practical work to improve students’ composition skills. A set of exercises ensures that you learn in an easy and fun way.

Images: Student produced compositions with basic objects

The Amazing Story of van Gogh: Create an Artwork in Vincent van Gogh Style

In this workshop we look at Vincent's early works, explore how his artistic practice developed over time, and investigate the aspects of his late artworks such as composition, brushwork, colours in an easy and comprehensive format. 

Students learn the story of his world-famous “The Starry Night”, when and where it was made, and what inspired Vincent. 

They have a go at creating a simplified version of the painting. It will be a step-by-step process that allows to combine their own artistic knowledge and skills with van Gogh’s techniques. 

After this workshop, students will have a better understanding of what made his work special and how to create more art inspired by van Gogh.

Images: Workshop in progress, steps for students to follow and students' works

Create Succulents and Cacti Artwork in Mixed Media

Succulents and cacti grow well in Australia. There is a wide variety of types, colours and shapes. Some look like they are from another planet, others resemble corals. 

They break all canons of what a typical plant should look like. That’s why painting them is so much fun.

In this workshop, students test different mediums (ballpoint pen, permanent and soluble fineliners, felt pens, pit pastel pencil, markers) to create the shapes of succulents and cacti with free-flowing, loose lines. 

Then they apply splashes of watercolour which blend and flow freely so the image is not the exact representation, but rather each student's unique interpretation of these amazing plants.

Image: Succulents 243 by Anna Madyarova, 2021

The Story of Art Deco: Learn the History and Create Artwork in the Art Deco Style

Students dive into the rich and inspiring history of Art Deco that played an important role in art, design and architecture of the 20th century. 

They look at the works representing this movement in art, architecture, design such as furniture, fashion, ceramics, jewellery etc. 

This workshop is a combination of thoroughly curated historical overview, examples of outstanding art, design and architecture works (including what we can see in Melbourne), and a practical part where students produce an artwork in the Art Deco style.

Image: Slide 1 of the PowerPoint presentation used in the workshop

The Story of Art Nouveau: Learn the History and Create Artwork in the Art Nouveau Style

Art Nouveau is an exquisite style that flourished in art, design and architecture at the turn of the 20th century. Art historians find features attributed to Art Nouveau in the works of very different artists, designers and architects such as Alphonse Mucha, Antonio Gaudi, Gustav Klimt, William Morris, Louis Tiffany and many more. 

In this workshop students learn the history and how its aesthetics can be incorporated into your own artistic style. They create an artwork in the Art Nouveau style based on their own ideas and examples provided by the tutor.

Image: Pieces of Monty a la Art Nouveau by Anna Madyarova, 2016

The Story of Pre-Raphaelites: Learn the History and Create Artwork in the Pre-Raphaelite Style

Students take a fascinating journey into the history of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB), a group of young rebel artists who were opposed to the artistic dogma of The Royal Academy of Arts in London and formed a secret society in the 1850s. 

They set their goals and principles, and for some time were the mystery of the British art scene. This workshops is a combination of thoroughly curated historical overview, examples of their outstanding art, design and architecture works, and practical part where students produce an artwork based on their own ideas but in the Pre-Raphaelite style.

Students learn how the knowledge and aesthetics the Pre-Raphaelites developed can be incorporated into their own artistic style.

Image: A slide from the PowerPoint presentation used in the workshop

Learn the History, Draw a Nesting Doll and Paint a 3D Wooden Set of Nesting Dolls

There are two workshops: the first one was about the history of a nesting doll and steps to draw it on paper. In the second workshop students delve deeper into how it is produced in small artisan workshops or on a larger scale, traditional and new designs, mediums used in the process. 

In the second workshop, students go through the fascinating exercise of painting a set of five dolls (provided by tutor, cost included in workshop fee). They are invited to explore the traditional designs and create a similar one, or go wild with their imagination.

Image: Nesting Doll drawings by Anna Madyarova