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Half Day Watercolour Art Class

Half-day watercolour workshop with bubbles, lunch and two artworks to take home

Portsea Gallery

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4 hours

8 to 12 guests

$240

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Overview

Reviews

Teacher

What you'll do

A Warm Welcome to the Portsea Gallery

Allison Ermogenis (the gallery owner) will be there to welcome you to Pete's class which will begin and finish on time.

Demonstration and Explanation

Pete Porteous, your highly experienced watercolour tutor, will be set up and ready to guide you. You’ll watch and interact as Pete demonstrates the first painting you’ll create. You’ll learn how to approach your subject with confidence, covering colour mixing, composition, brushwork and texturing techniques to help you bring the theme to life.

Begin Your Work of Art

Once you start, Pete will circulate throughout the session, offering tips, practical advice and encouragement, so you feel supported from first wash to final details.

Your Own Reference Sheet

You’ll receive a personalised reference sheet prepared by Pete ahead of time, to help you work smoothly and with clarity.

Bubbles and Light Lunch

Time for a relaxing break with a delicious light lunch and bubbles! It’s also a lovely moment to compare notes with your fellow artists.

Begin Your Second Work of Art

You’ll begin your second piece. Here's Pete's demo work from an earlier wildlife themed class.

Take Home Your Masterpieces

By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with two beautiful artworks to take home and cherish. As an example, here's one of the works completed by a student in Pete's wildlife themed class.

You Can Do It (and Now You Can Do It at Home)

Here's another student's work from the wildlife class. As well as your completed artworks, you're going to take away techniques and ideas you can use at home, new skills that continue long after the workshop.

Step into Portsea Gallery for a relaxed, friendly half-day watercolour workshop where you’ll learn how to paint with confidence and leave with two beautiful artworks to take home.

Allison Ermogenis will be there to welcome you with a name tag and a glass of bubbly (or sparkling water). Then Pete Porteous, your very experienced tutor and a highly regarded watercolourist, will guide you through the day with clear demonstrations and practical, hands-on support.

You’ll start by watching Pete create the first painting, learning essential techniques such as colour mixing, composition, brushwork, and texturing. Next, it’s your turn. You’ll receive a prepared reference sheet, so you can focus on painting rather than second-guessing. Pete will circulate throughout the session with tips, advice, and encouragement as you bring your own work to life.

After that, enjoy a well-earned break with bubbles and a light lunch, plus a chance to chat and compare notes with your fellow artists.

After the break, you’ll be ready to jump back in. Pete will start the second part of the workshop with a short demo of the next artwork, showing exactly how to approach the subject and use the watercolour techniques you’ve been learning. Then it’s your turn. You’ll begin your second piece with Pete on hand to offer practical tips, encouragement, and guidance as you paint.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll take a moment to see what you’ve achieved together. You'll head home proud, inspired, and with two lovely watercolours you can cherish - and with new techniques to use at home.

What you can expect:

A friendly half-day workshop (four hours)
Demonstration and hands-on coaching from Pete Porteous
All levels welcome
Bubbles and a light lunch
Two watercolour masterpieces to take home

What you'll get

Two completed watercolours to take home.
New ideas and techniques, and the confidence to use them at home.

See booking options

Knowledge required

Beginner-friendly. All levels welcome.

What to bring

*Beginner Painters Supply List*

A mix of suppliers will be needed so allow plenty of time to organise:

Supermarket

Hardware shop for board

Specialist art supplies from Spotlight, local art supply shops or online suppliers eg Seniors, The Art Shed, The Art Store.

Watercolour paint pan (tubes if you prefer)

2 sheets A4 sized watercolour paper (or no larger than A3)

Watercolour Mop Brush - a couple of different sizes to suit A4 paper. Synthetic.

Flat watercolour brush - a couple of different sizes to suit A4 paper. Synthetic.

kneadable eraser

ruler

1 HB pencil (or H4)

roll of masking tape or Scotch paper tape, (about 1cm wide not super wide, so you can tape your paper to the board)

plastic watercolour palette or dinner plate size plastic plates

MDF board to tape your paper to (or plywood if you don't have MDF but MDF soaks up more water).

a hand-towel or absorbent cloth

roll of paper towel

*Intermediate & Experienced Painters Supply LIst*

your preferred watercolour paints

2 sheets A3 sized watercolour paper or larger if you prefer

watercolour mop brushes of a few different sizes

flat watercolour brushes of a few different sizes

any other brushes that you'd like to bring

kneadable eraser

ruler

1 HB pencil (or H4)

roll of masking tape or Scotch paper tape, about 1cm wide

your palette

MDF board to tape your paper to (or plywood if you don't have MDF)

a hand-towel or absorbent cloth

paper towel

Pete will have retardant on hand should you need that.

Suitable for

This class is great for a team building activity, birthday or hens party.

FAQ

Where can I park my car?

Free 2 hour parking in the village carpark across the road.

What can I do in Portsea before and after class?

Our shopping village is small and vibrant. There’s a choice of fabulous food venues just steps away from the gallery - Portsea Pub, Le Capucin café and Pompette bar. We have an amazing vintage shop, Sur la Mer, a treasure trove of highly curated archival fashion and homewares.

Location

Portsea Gallery - 1/3760 Point Nepean Road, Portsea VIC

Portsea Village, beachside - between Portsea Pier & Portsea Pub. Accessibility info: 3 steps up with handrail.

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Your teacher

Portsea Gallery

4k followers

Women-owned

YOUR HOST

Portsea Gallery was established in 2018, after I spent 10 years running Aegean Designs gallery in Santorini. I’ve created a relaxed, welcoming, and flexible art space right in the heart of charming Portsea Village.

Portsea Gallery is home to art classes, my studio, and a gallery featuring carefully curated works by a talented mix of established and emerging artists.

I’m very proud of our art classes—they’re led by highly regarded, professional artists who enjoy teaching and bring extensive tutoring experience.

All levels are welcome. Expect a friendly, comfortable atmosphere with bubbles and a delicious light lunch, surrounded by beautiful art, and guided by people who genuinely love helping you create. Our current classes include watercolour, acrylic, and mosaic.

We’d love to welcome you to Portsea Gallery for a fun, inspiring art workshop.

~ Allison