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Back AGAIN by popular demand! Dedicated time to just paint with others in Studio One. Get out of the house, and take your Monday evenings to create anything you wish in this completely informal setting for optimal comfort and focus. This studio time, open to members and non-members, is the perfect opportunity to work on pieces from classes you're taking, or whatever you like. These precious hours involve no formal instruction whatsoever, but feel free to offer / receive feedback and encouragement from others, (as you wish).
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Abstract painting is art that does not attempt to render reality but uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect. In this fun, energetic course, you will learn a different strategy each week working on two paintings per week. Abstract Expressionist painting is fun for new and seasoned artists alike . You will paint ‘in the moment’ - no plans or expectations - enjoying the dance of shape, texture and colour and relying on your ‘gut’ for inspiration. It’s spontaneous, intuitive and fun and requires a spirit of risk.. Abstract Expressionism is always surprising. Over time Abstract Expressionist artists find their own style - much like their own handwriting or voice.This course will set you on that journey. Abstract Expressionist Painting Materials List and Course Breakdown
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Using twelve 12” x 12” wooden panels over four weeks, artists will be invited to participate in a set of activities and games designed to get the creative juices flowing. Artists will learn to appreciate the power of creative play to reinvigorate their art practice with energy and playfulness, the benefits of which will spill over into other aspects of their creative life. Using acrylic paint or watercolours (pre-mount your paper on the boards), pencils, wax, collage, stencils, modelling paste,printing, and crayons, artists will experiment with layering, varying degrees of transparency, and texture to create abstracted images of landscapes, faces, still lives and non-objective content. One key aspect of art theory will underpin the work in each of the, four weeks. Materials for 12x12x12 Abstracts
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Create your completely original 9"×12" batik art on wild silk. Paint your own design and learn the wax process to create the exquisite batik texture. You will work on the highest grade silk, specifically suited for batik. Your outcome will be a piece suitable to mount on the canvas of your choice (9"×12" gallery deep or 11" ×14" regular) after the workshop (and therefore not included in the workshop fee.) Alternatively, you may later opt to stretch it under glass with paspartu/paper frame. All that will be left for you to complete at home is to iron off the wax before stretching it to suit your preferred presentation mode; you will leave with exact instructions for the specific technique you select, and everything you need to know regarding the aftercare of your treasured piece.
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Join artist Dominique Prevost for a lively, colour-filled morning of suminagashi on washi, creative exploration, and fun! Suminagashi is the ancient Japanese technique of decorating paper with inks. It is believed to be the oldest form of marbling, originating in China over 2000 years ago and practiced in Japan by Shinto priests as early as the 12th century. Originally used as a subtle background for calligraphy, the new colour intense inks bring it to the forefront! Experience this highly meditative technique and create your own masterpieces. You will create various suminagashi pattern-making techniques on a choice selection of Japanese paper (washi). Dominique will also present a short talk and demo on how to use your completed Suminagashi pieces.
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Let’s think beyond grey for winter paintings and move towards infusing more colour into our winter landscapes. Let your imagination soar as you introduce shades of warm burgundy and soft yellows paired with complimentary hues of cool blues and purples all against the backdrop of winter whites. Let’s learn to create a painting of your own winter wonderland in a loose impressionist style. Please bring your own table cover in addition to the items on the list below, provided by the instructor. Material List OAS Winter Workshop 2026
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Workshop Description: Join us for a hands-on workshop dedicated to capturing the quiet beauty of Ontario’s winter landscape using oil paints and palette knives. Working in the wet-on-wet technique, participants will explore impressionistic approaches to light, texture, and atmosphere. Through a guided, step-by-step demonstration, you will learn to apply expressive, textured layers of oil paint with a palette knife, building depth and movement in your composition. Each participant will complete one winter scene by the end of the session. Whether you are an experienced artist or new to palette-knife painting, this session provides an inviting and supportive environment for creative exploration. Palette Knife with Maria Iva list of supplies for OAS workshop
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In this workshop you will learn to appreciate the power of creative play to reinvigorate your art practice with energy and playfulness, the benefits of which will spill over into other aspects of your creative life. In the process you will gain ideas for integrating gelli printing into your studio practice, even if you are not going to pursue gelli printing as a focus. Classes will be a combination of systematic step by step learning and ‘play time’ focusing on risk-taking and problem solving as part of the creative process. This workshop is ideal for artists looking to expand their practice by integrating something new, and to introduce an element of abstraction and playfulness to their work. Materials List for Feb Weekend Gelli Printing Workshop at OAS
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The impressionist artists were not trying to paint a reflection of real life, but an ‘impression’ of what the person, light, atmosphere, object or landscape looked like to them. And that’s why they were called impressionists! They tried to capture the movement and life of what they saw and show it to us as if it were happening before our eyes. With a focus on the fundamentals of composition, this course delves into the importance of visual set up, values and brush strokes to create aesthetic and emotive paintings in an impressionist manner. You’ll work initially to create pencil sketches that will evolve, with the instructor’s guidance, into fully developed paintings. With attention to light and values, colour, shape, placement and proportion of elements, and the harmony of brush strokes, you’ll learn how to develop works that are visually strong and feel fulfilling and meaningful. Materials List
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Want to add some sparkle to the tree and create a stunning, original ornament to keep or to gift? In this beginner mosaic workshop, you'll choose from a variety of different shapes to create TWO mosaic ornaments. Participants will play with a large array of ceramic and glass materials. You can bring your own found objects if you'd like (optional). All skill levels are welcome. Take home a grouting kit to complete your mosaic. Detailed instructions will be given so you can finish / polish at home.
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Full year memberships (for all programs that take place from September, 2025 through August, 2026) are now available. You can purchase your membership before September in order to enjoy early registration and members' discounts on any of our fall classes and workshops. Members are also welcome to join us in studio any Friday (year round) to enjoy open studio time in our creative community, effective as of the membership purchase date.
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The Oakville Art Society is a self-supporting organization and relies on the generous support of its members, the community, and sponsors to continue to operate. You can help support the OAS with a donation. Through your generosity, we can keep the arts alive in the Halton region.
