Spend five creative days learning watercolour with artist Rhonda Hickey. The course begins with essential skills—brush handling, colour work, and layering—followed by a small introductory painting.
From Days 2–4, you’ll complete two still life paintings each day, exploring subjects such as bottles and glassware, favourite vintage objects, fruit, cherries and a teapot. Rhonda’s clear demonstrations and supportive guidance help you build confidence while developing technique, composition, and control of this delicate medium.
The week concludes with a relaxed three hour session painting cherries, bringing together everything learned. Ideal for beginners or anyone wanting a structured, enjoyable introduction to watercolour.
I grew up in NZ and have loved doing art all my life. I have no formal training but have always done pencil drawings and sketches. After moving to Perth, I initially started with acrylics in 1995, which eventually led to watercolour some years later in 2003. I am inspired by our natural beauty and environment; earthy and bright colours both intrigue me, and I choose to paint our landscapes, beaches, birds and flowers.
I enjoy the challenge of new subjects. I love detail but only enough to allow the viewer to interpret the rest. Being accepted into the Watercolour Society in 2015 was a great boost. I strive to give the viewer fun and movement in my art. I am now following with a love of still life in a more contemporary form.
I also have really enjoyed trying my hand at pastels which give me the freedom to enjoy colour and energy, which I can achieve with them. My direction has changed, focusing more on light and depth in my paintings. This is an intuitive, less calculated process. I always take a sketchbook, pencils and a paint kit when travelling to capture the colours for implementing a painting when back in the studio.
Teaching has now also been an added bonus to my list of loves. Passing on what I know to others has brought great joy to my world.