WORKSHOPS & DEMONSTRATIONS
As an artist there is always more to learn. That is why there will be variety of workshops available during the festival catering for beginners to more experienced painters.
These workshops have been scheduled to help the development of plein air painting and as such will be conducted outdoors on location with shade and shelter from possible rain. Workshop Instructors will issue a materials list to attendees prior to workshops. In addition to art supplies, please ensure you bring any other equipment to be comfortable outdoors. Eg. Broad brim hat, sunscreen, bug spray, water, a packed lunch and a fold up chair or picnic rug.
PLEASE NOTE: Workshops have been scheduled for the benefit of Capital Plein Air Attendees and are only available for purchase with a festival registration. You must be registered to attend the festival in order to attend a workshop. A Quick Draw Registration does not count as the full festival registration and therefore does not include access to registration for Festival Workshops.
Please read our Terms & Conditions before registration (again, you must be registered to attend the festival in order to attend a workshop)
2025 FEATURED ARTIST – LEON HOLMES
We are thrilled to announce Leon Holmes as the featured artist for this year’s festival!
An internationally renowned Australian artist, Leon is celebrated for his expertise in Plein Air oil painting and his dedication to promoting outdoor painting. As the founder of Plein Air Down Under, Australia’s first Plein Air festival, Leon has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant community of artists through this event, which has now run successfully for seven years in his hometown of Mandurah. His passion for outdoor painting has also led him to participate in prestigious international Plein Air events, including the Maui Plein Air Invitational in Hawaii and Forgotten Coast en Plein Air in Florida.
Leon’s work is renowned worldwide, with one of his paintings displayed alongside Dutch Masters in the Katwijk Museum in Holland. As an ambassador for Plein Air painting, he continues to inspire artists both locally and globally. Leon will share his wealth of knowledge with festival-goers, conducting two workshops throughout the week and offering a free demonstration during the festival weekend.
LIGHT AND COLOUR IN THE LANDSCAPE – OILS
Sat 19th / Sun 20th April – $395 (Held at Strathnairn Arts Centre, Holt)
Wed 23rd / Thu 24th April – $395 (Held at the Pre-Festival Paint Out Locations)
Materials List
Leon will focus on making outdoor painting enjoyable and easily accessible. You will explore composition (what and why to paint it) and he will explain how to strip that subject back to its simplest forms. Then you will delve deeper into understanding how light affects colour and how to transfer all of that quickly onto the canvas using a luscious, juicy paint application to really show off the qualities of oil paint.
2025 SPECIAL GUEST – WARWICK FULLER
Warwick Fuller, a landscape painter and Blue Mountains local, has been a practicing artist for over 45 years. With a stellar exhibition history in Australia and London, his CV boasts innumerable accolades, including three assignments as Official Tour Artist with [then] HRH The Prince of Wales and 4th in 2024 as King.
Warwick will attend the inaugural CaPA as a special guest. He will conduct a free painting demonstration on the festival weekend and also give us some insight into the creative challenges of being a King’s Official Tour artist .
1 DAY WORKSHOPS
(Held at the Pre-Festival Paint Out Locations)
Introduction to Plein Air Painting Tuesday 22nd April $170
by Natasha Ruschka on location at Gundaroo
Designed for artists new to Plein Air painting! This hands-on session is suitable for any medium and artist who is keen to take their practice outdoors. Natasha will guide you through the essentials of painting outdoors, from finding the perfect composition, coping with the challenges of changing light conditions and how to create depth in your work. The workshop will also cover practical topics such as choosing the right equipment, adapting to changing weather conditions, and how the elements can positively influence your painting process.
Plein Air Watercolour Painting
by Chan Dissanayake
Wednesday 23rd April $170 on location at Cuppacumbalong, Tharwa
Learn how to capture the beauty of the landscape with this versatile medium. This hands-on session includes a live demonstration, covering key techniques such as handling light and shadow, creating depth, and mastering wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods. You’ll gain practical tips for working outdoors in varying conditions and confidence to paint the world around you with freshness and fluidity.
Plein Air Pencil Drawing Thursday 24th April $170
by Andy Dolphin on location at Weston Park
Drawing is the foundation of visual art and it can be easier than you think. This workshop will cover the basics of sketching en plein air. Topics covered include simplifying the landscape, handling perspective and finding successful compositions through tonal thumbnails. Andy will also introduce students to a simple sketching method he calls Mindful Contour Drawing which he uses for urban sketching or to produce preliminary drawings for watercolour painting. While the lesson is aimed primarily at painters, the methods used will also suit artists simply wanting an introduction to plein air drawing.
INQUIRIES TO TEACH WORKSHOPS
At this time, our teaching schedule for the upcoming festival is fully booked. We’ve deliberately chosen to limit the number of workshops offered to ensure they complement the broader goals of the event. While workshops are a valuable component, the true heart of the festival lies in creating a space where artists can come together to paint, connect with like-minded creatives, and compete alongside some of Australia’s finest outdoor painters for awards.
We encourage skilled and high-profile artists from across the country to travel and participate in the festival, as it provides an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the camaraderie and creative spirit of the plein air community. Your involvement not only enriches the experience for everyone but also showcases your talents in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Please note that our lineup of workshop instructors is selected from participating artists of the previous year, as we aim to support and highlight those who actively contribute to the success and growth of the event. By participating, you may also have the opportunity to be considered as an instructor in future festivals.
We look forward to welcoming artists of all skill levels to join us in celebrating the art of plein air painting. Together, let’s make this festival a truly inspiring experience!