Discover the beauty hidden in old town doorways through the expressive medium of watercolour. In this engaging one-day workshop, we’ll explore how to capture the charm and personality of aged timber, textured stone, wrought iron, and creeping ivy — the small details that make these rustic entrances so rich in character.

You’ll be guided step-by-step through foundational watercolour techniques, learning how to layer colour, add texture, and use light and shadow to create atmospheric depth. We’ll also explore how to simplify a reference image, plan a pleasing composition, and add your own artistic flair.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience with watercolour, this workshop offers a balance of instruction and creative freedom. You’ll leave with one or more completed artworks and a deeper understanding of how to interpret architectural features with watercolour in a loose yet evocative style. Come and enjoy a relaxed, creative day bringing these beautiful subjects to life!

Course Outline:

• Introduction to old town doorways: key visual features and inspiration
• Guided drawing session from reference images
• Watercolour basics: brushwork, washes, layering, and texture
• Step-by-step painting demonstrations and support throughout
• Individual feedback and time to complete one or more finished pieces

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how to break down and simplify a reference image
• Learn watercolour techniques for texture, tone, and light
• Gain confidence in combining loose and detailed approaches
• Complete at least one finished doorway painting

What to bring:

• Quality watercolour paper A4 or A3 – ensure you have enough sheets for practice and final artwork/s
• Watercolour paint brushes – suggested sizes 0, 2, 4, 8, 16
• Watercolour paints (pan or tube)
• Masking tape
• Pencil, eraser, ruler
• Palette with large mixing areas
• Two water jars
• Sealed board to tape paper to (can be supplied by tutor if needed)

Art Supplies Discount:

As a bonus for learning Art with SGSCC, all enrolled students are entitled to a generous 10% discount off the purchase of art supplies when they shop in-store at Eckersley’s Art & Craft, Taren Point!
View Eckersley's Website for product ideas.

About the Tutor:

I am Vicki Peck, creator and owner of Vicki Peck Art.
I have an absolute passion for all things art, including creating my own paintings, helping others find their creative talents through my art classes and helping people heal and grow through art therapy.

A little about me:
I have created art for as long as I can remember and come from a family of many artistic people. I studied art – painting & ceramics (my other passion) and majored in ceramic design but continued to paint along the way.
I am originally from South Africa and left in 2000 to broaden my horizons overseas. After spending quite a while in the U.K, I moved to Australia in 2005, with my now husband.

In the search to do something more creative work after being in an office while overseas, I decided to become a florist(another passion)…I studied and became a qualified florist and spent a few years doing this.
Then kids came along and my creativity got paused… and now I’m back to being creative in any way possible!

Along with doing school holiday art classes, weekly senior art classes, commissions and doing my own painting, I am also now an art therapy practitioner and loving my time spent doing this each week.
For my paintings I predominantly use oils, but also absolutely love watercolours, and use this medium when I can give it the time it deserves.
My themes vary from landscapes, seascapes and still-lifes, and I love painting flowers! I paint from the heart and won’t paint something unless it feels right and makes me happy.

I love helping others find their path in art, and always encourage everyone to find their own unique style, to be confident in their abilities and embrace the process.

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.