This is the perfect no-fear, no-experience-required, workshop for those who have always had aspirations to paint but have been deterred for various reasons.A chance to explore and experiment, within the extensive grounds of The Monastery – an historic home, with panoramic views of the valley in all directions, lush picturesque gardens and trees, an inspirational location for you to explore your creativity.

Time & Location
27 April, 9.45 am – 4:00 pm
The Monastery
212B Newell Rd, Tamahere 3283

Total cost: $185
Includes: art tuition, all art materials, lunch and afternoon tea (with home baking)
Limited to: 12
To book your place: https://www.themonastery.co.nz/events-1/beginners-art-workshop

Workshop overview:
Boost your confidence with step by step guidance and demonstrations focusing on the needs of the beginning painter.
You will learn the fundamentals of acrylic painting, including: colour mixing, composition, selecting brushes, brush stroke technique and preliminary sketching, presented in a concise, understandable way that you can easily remember and practice on your own.
Participants will paint a rewarding canvas to take home and gain the confidence, tools and information to continue their creative journey.
 
This workshop leads into the on-going series for the year.
(see: The Monastery Event page for further workshop information)
For the programme + more information: office@monastery.co.nz
Please call Shane: 0274919707

Testimonials:
A wonderful opportunity to learn from a master painter in a picturesque environment – just the right amount of people. Everything organized perfectly and individual attention. Great food and a relaxing but inspiring class.
Excellent workshop – learnt a great amount.
The personal touch Raymond gave was exceptional. Loved it! Inspired to learn more.
I felt relaxed and comfortable and enjoyed the workshop immensely. The variety of work both inside and outside was a lovely contrast.
It’s a beautiful way to spend some time and a beautiful environment to work within.
I thoroughly enjoyed today. This art class was beautifully presented.

Colours in Bloom …onsite in the garden
Acrylic Painting Explorations
Time & Location
10th November 9.45am – 4pm
The Monastery, 212B Newell Rd, Tamahere 3283, New Zealand

Total cost $185
Includes art tuition, all art materials, lunch and afternoon tea
Limited to 10 participants
To book your place: https://www.themonastery.co.nz/events

An energetic, colourful approach to painting the ‘Spring garden’ exploring the art of colour-mixing and paint application in a spontaneous, direct, inspired and explorative way . . . with the continual rotating guidance of Raymond, one-on-one.
Outline:
A demonstration of colour-mixing and brush-work options, as used by the artist.
Also an intensive fast-paced demonstration painting of the garden in full colour.
Outdoors at your easels developing the direction and composition of your garden painting.
After lunch back into painting followed by a group summary of the finished work – together with afternoon, including home baking.

‘I have specialized in the painting and drawing of trees throughout my life and wish to share my experiences and adventures in this field.
My paintings, drawings and sculpture are a positive expression of our world in form and
colour, motion and character, radiance, and depth, with the energies of universal inspiration.’
 
Find out more about Raymond here:
https://www.raymondjenningsartist.com/profile.html
https://www.raymondjenningsartist.com/

* For the programme + more information:
   please email: artistraymondjennings@gmail.com or call: 021 2988510

Acrylic Painting Outdoors
Take a day for yourself exploring the magic of The Monastery
Time & Location
8 September 10am – 3.30pm
The Monastery, 212B Newell Rd, Tamahere 3283, New Zealand

Total cost $185
Includes art tuition, all art materials, lunch and afternoon tea
Limited to 10 participants
To book your place: https://www.themonastery.co.nz/events-1/art-workshop-1

Join artist Raymond Jennings for our ongoing series; acrylic painting outdoors, workshop. Discover and experience the pleasure of en plein air painting in the natural environment, taking inspiration from the gardens, trees and wild life of The Monastery.
Plein air painting is a method that has been used by the masters for centuries. That alone can make it seem intimidating. Raymond will help you demystify the outdoor painting process, demonstrating how painting en plein air will help you improve all aspects of your creative work, including your ability to paint colour and light. Plein air painting isn't just for serious artists – it's for anyone who wants to get out in nature and have some fun.
The workshops offer a great opportunity for participants to work alongside other budding and experienced artists creating imagery and artwork together in an enchanting and stimulating environment.
This workshop will help you to get more confident about your work, offering an insight into acrylic painting processes and will help create a greater awareness of and engagement with the natural environment.
Raymond will demonstrate how to create natural colours and then lead participants on an exploration enabling people to have a go, mixing and then using, their own alchemical colours.
You'll learn:

• What materials you'll need to paint outdoors in acrylic
• To move beyond what you see and adapt the landscape within your painting
• To mix colours to get a variety of shades, hues and tones
• To develop the initial composition of the painting
• Developing perceptual awareness

 
 Download the programme here: Acrylic Painting Outdoors Programme.pdf
(826K)

‘I have specialized in the painting and drawing of trees throughout my life and wish to share my experiences and adventures in this field.’
A multi-disciplinary artist Raymond’s lively career has seen him exhibit in numerous solo and group shows throughout New Zealand, in the USA and Singapore. He has produced large-scale commissions for business, private and corporate clients. His work carries a positive dynamic energy, with expert colour combinations, light and dark contrast, a strong sense of form and movement, together with an expansive multi-dimensional spatial understanding; generated by an inspiration that is both worldly and universal.
My paintings, drawings and sculpture are a positive expression of our world in form and colour, motion and character, radiance, and depth, with the energies of universal inspiration.
Find out more about Raymond here:
https://www.raymondjenningsartist.com/profile.html
https://www.raymondjenningsartist.com/

Highlights from previous workshops:
I felt relaxed and comfortable and enjoyed the workshop immensely. The variety of work both inside and outside was a lovely contrast.
It’s a beautiful way to spend some time and a beautiful environment to work within.
I thoroughly enjoyed today. This art class was beautifully presented and even as an experienced artist.
The Monastery is the perfect environment for an Art Retreat.
Excellent experience. Helpful and considerate tutor. Everyone has enjoyed it from the group.
Thoroughly enjoyed it, just what I needed to get back into my art work!
10/10, learnt, remembered and achieved what I hoped to!
Very relaxing day but also challenging so that I went away feeling inspired.
Raymond was very clear in his instruction.
Really enjoyed the day, meeting new people in pleasant surroundings.
Well organized. Encouragement and direction without domination.
This is a winning combination; a beautiful setting and a skilled artist.
10/10 because you made it seem so easy. Your style is very freeing and you met each of us at the level we are at.
A great way to spend a Saturday.
 

We still have some places available for the upcoming Art Retreat at The Monastery. Book now for this highly unique experience.

White Night 2016
White Night is a spellbinding night where Auckland’s art galleries, museums are open late and the streets are alive with a rich spread of arts festivities.
The concept originated in Paris as nuit blanche and has since spread to cities around the globe. It’s a night-time arts festival in which museums, private and public art galleries and other cultural institutions open, typically free of charge, and turn the city itself into a gallery for experiencing the best of contemporary art and culture.
White Night 2015 in Auckland involved around 300 artists and artist groups throughout 100 plus venues across 20 neighbourhoods over a six-hour period (6pm-midnight) spread throughout Auckland.
Please follow this link to see White Night Parnell 2015 artworks.
 
This year I’m involved ! I will be working at an easel outside Black Door Gallery in Parnell, on a drawing – pencil with varnish-wash on stretched canvas of historic Parnell.
A great opportunity for you to come and ‘meet the artist.’
Statement
The large canvas-size of this drawing gives its historic content a contemporary presence within the minimalist architecture of our homes and workplaces . . . an expression of past and present – contemplation and intrigue.

working drawing . . .