Expressive Painting for Beginners | National Art School

Expressive Painting for Beginners

Learn to paint expressively with an individual approach while increasing your knowledge and understanding of the importance of colour, composition and form. Using acrylic or oil paint, students will learn how to mix and experiment with colour and will be encouraged to paint quickly and loosely and to develop expressive brushwork.
On Campus, Weekly Classes, Daytime
3 May - 28 June 2027
Monday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Registration Open
$981.00 $1,090.00
GST included where applicable.
  • Number of classes: 8
  • Total Course Hours: 32
  • Disciplines: Painting
  • Lecturer: Annabel Butler
  • Age: 16 years and over
  • Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
  • Location: National Art School

Expressive Painting for Beginners

Course Details

Learn to paint expressively with an individual approach while increasing your knowledge and understanding of the importance of colour, composition, and form.

Annabel Butler leads you through various approaches to landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, and interiors by referencing a selection of Australian, American and European expressionist painters who sought to depict their emotional responses rather than an objective reality. Using acrylic, gouache or oil paint, students will learn how to mix and experiment with colour and will be encouraged to paint quickly and loosely and to develop expressive brushwork. Over the term you will produce a series of small to medium-sized paintings.

Please note: There will be no class 14 June due to the King's Birthday Long Weekend

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age.

* Drawing and painting short courses may be held in upstairs studios. If access to stairs is not suitable, please contact us at short.courses@nas.edu.au 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Art Materials

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

WEEK ONE: Please bring your source material, ie sketches, photos of a landscape that you would like to paint, and all materials as follows

Source Materials

Students will need to bring a range of source materials such as drawings, sketches and/or photos relating to the course subject matter – landscape, seascape, cityscape and interiors.

General

  • Visual Arts diary for notes and sketches – A4 or A5
  • 2B/4B pencil, eraser, sharpener
  • Masking tape and 2 bull dog clips
  • A selection of small to medium sized canvases or canvas boards – minimum of 4. (eg 25×30/30×40/40x50cm)
  • Plastic spray water bottle (to stop acrylic paint from drying out on palette)
  • Old cotton rags and/or paper towels
  • If using acrylics - a water container eg. a large plastic container (large yogurt tubs work well)
  • If using oil paints - 3 wide necked glass jars WITH LIDS
  • If using oil paints please bring odorless solvent - not turps. Oil mediums will be discussed in first class with students using oils.
  • Palette -if you already have one. If not, you can use a large plastic serving plate/disposable paper palettes/ sheet of baking paper
  • Palette knife
  • A takeaway container with lid for taking home unused paint (optional)

Brushes

A range of round bristle brushes varying in size from small to large. Students are welcome to bring what they already have. If buying brushes, recommended are:

  • Parker's Unbranded 582 - Round Hog Bristle - Sizes: #2, #4, #8, #10, #12

Paints

A limited range of good quality paints is suggested, e.g. Matisse Acrylic Paints (75ml) in Structure or any other Artist Quality brands in oil or acrylic. Students are welcome to bring previously owned paints but as a minimum please bring the following 8 colours:

  • Titanium White
  • Burnt Umber
  • French Ultramarine or Cobalt Blue (warm blue)
  • Cerulean Blue (cool blue)
  • Cadmium Red Medium (warm red)
  • Alizarin Crimson (cool red)
  • Cadmium Yellow Medium (warm yellow)
  • Lemon Yellow (cool yellow)
  • Optional: Yellow Ochre or Yellow Oxide

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.

Lecturer Profile

Annabel Butler 2025 Photo credit North Sydney Council

Annabel Butler holds a BA/LLB (ANU) and a BFA(Hons) National Art School and received travel scholarships to the Byam Shaw School of Art, London and the New York Studio School. A practising artist for 25 years, she is represented by Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney. Annabel is a regular finalist in national art prizes, including the Mosman Art Prize, the Lester Prize and the Portia Geach Memorial Award. She has won the 9×5 Landscape Prize (2019 & 2025), the Glebe Open Art Prize (2004 & 2013), the Waverley Oil Prize (2004) and a NYSS Alumni Mercedes Matter Award (2025). Annabel is the recipient of 6 artist residencies, including an AGNSW Paris Studio residency at the Cité Internationale, Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon, and the Vermont Studio Center, USA. Her works are held in numerous private and public collections including Bundanon Trust, Hurstville Museum & Gallery, the National Art School Collection and the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney.

Testimonials

Had an amazing week, thanks so much Annabel!

Thanks for providing such a great structure to allow us to explore freely. I had such a wonderful time! Wish I could stay forever.

Beautiful environment for learning.

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Alumni of NAS as defined: Graduates of the NAS holding a degree, diploma or certificate of the NAS, including graduates of the art department of East Sydney Technical College, Sydney Technical College and Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education (between 1975 – 1977); and former students who have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study on any of the award courses included above.

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