If you’re after sip and paints, click here, but if you’re ready to take the next level and pick up the mantle of true artistic turmoil, read on.
You might have always wanted to learn, or maybe your dormant artistic talent is literally twitching to get out—whatever the reason you have for hunting down an art class, we're here to point you in the right direction. But it takes more than a turtleneck and some paint-splattered pants to make an artist, so we’re only dealing with places guaranteed to skill you up.
As always with creative disciplines, the overriding philosophy is to go at your own speed. Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as particularly artistic, an art class is like a creative gym where the purpose is to work on yourself. Park your ego and unleash Matisse, here’s where to take an art class in Brisbane.
Craft Workshops At Work-shop
Newstead
Work-shop facilitates tonnes of different classes for people of all ages and skill levels. You can choose to focus purely on aesthetics with a class in watercolour or palette knife painting, or pick up something with a utility like a basketweaving or candlemaking class. The point is to get your hands busy, so if you’re after a new hobby make the Work-shop your first stop for some inspiration.
Painting At The Brisbane Institute Of Art
Windsor
If painting is your jam, then the Brisbane Institute of Art has a calendar packed full of educational short courses to get you cracking. Catering to all skill levels, their programs include masterclasses in a bunch of different mediums including watercolour, acrylics and oils, as well as some zestier varieties like pen and wash and paper craft. They even do subject matter workshops for stuff like self portraits and abstract landscapes. Abstract concepts are the name of the game here, so if that sounds like your vibe, have a gander at their courses.
Life Drawing At Brisbane Painting Classes
Albion
Brisbane Painting Classes offer a whole range of classes to plumb your creative depths, levelled at every aptitude from the true novice to the seasoned expert. Their life drawing classes are a great place to start if you want to make artistic practise a regular thing. It’s the gift that keeps on giving because once you’re all over the basics, you can hone your new skills at all kinds of life drawing events, including weekly sketching hosted by the Third Quarter and Short Pose, or fortnightly with Grace Art.
Linocutting With Grey Hand Press
Newstead
This beginner’s masterclass will step you through the basic skills you need to start cranking out your own lino prints. This printing method rose to popularity and prominence in the early 20th Century, with lino replacing wooden as the preferred material for carvings thanks to its lack of directional grain. Grey Hand Press is a Brisbane print studio carrying on the splendid tradition. Come and learn the basics and leave with the know-how to create and transfer your own designs.
Metalsmithing Workshops With Meekz Contemporary Jewellery
Newstead
Led by Queensland-based silversmith Jemica Ostrofski, these introductory courses are the perfect foray into metalwork for any aspiring jewellery makers. Don't consider jewellery art? You will after an intro to the craft in one of Ostrofski's workshops, where she'll teach you the foundational techniques of metalsmithing, including the proper use and application of metalwork tools to get you on the right track. When you’re ready to branch, Ostrofski also offers workshops teaching more advanced methods of metalworking including riveting and hand-sawing, traditional soldering for ringmaking, metal texturing and wire weaving.
Macrame Wall Hanging Workshop With Pebble & Twig
Sandgate
If you’re the kind of person who’s constantly getting knots in your laces then this is definitely the class for you. Macrame is a form of textile created by using different knotting techniques to create patterns and designs. This macrame workshop will step you through the basics of macrame knots to create your very own hanging, under the expert tutelage of the macrame masters at Pebble & Twig. All it takes is a bunch of yarn (provided) and a can-do attitude.
Intro To Resin Workshop With Collaborartive
Stafford
Epoxy resin has emerged as a massive trend recently, with tonnes of local artisans and studios using the versatile material to mint thoroughly psychedelic designs. The way resin production works is it starts as a liquid and then sets like hard plastic, so there’s the potential for really interesting creations using moulds and various pouring techniques. At one of Collaborartive’s workshops, you can learn all the foundational tips and tricks to kickstart your resin artistry, with access to all the tools and equipment within their kitted out studio.
Take your creativity outdoors and check out Brisbane's coolest street art here.
Image credit: Donovan Arias