NatureArt Lab - Art Classes

✨ Friday Feature Artist: Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao ✨

This week we're celebrating the wonderful work of artist, illustrator and educator Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao.

Students love Fiona for her investment in teaching and her calm, friendly approach. She creates a welcoming learning environment where students feel supported to develop new skills, ask questions and grow in confidence as artists.

Whether working in watercolour, acrylics, Chinese brush painting or oil pastel, Fiona encourages students to slow down, observe closely and develop both technical skills and creative confidence.

Upcoming classes include:
🌿 Watercolour One (Daytime)
🌿 Watercolour Three (Daytime)
🌿 Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting
🌿 Introduction to Australian Landscape in Acrylics
🌿 Nature in Bloom – Colour and Realism in Acrylics (NEW!)
🌿 Introduction to Oil Pastel Painting: Exploring Texture, Colour and Technique

Whether you're just beginning your artistic journey or looking to explore a new medium, Fiona's classes offer a wonderful opportunity to learn in a warm and supportive environment.

✨ We hope you'll join Fiona for one of her upcoming classes at NatureArt Lab.
See more of Fiona's wonderful work:

https://fionabao2016.wixsite.com/

✨ Curious about soft pastels?

Soft pastels are a wonderfully expressive medium, allowing you to create rich colour, beautiful textures and luminous landscapes with a direct, hands-on approach.

Join Canberra artist Caroline Reid for Basic Soft Pastel Techniques and Materials and discover how to confidently use this versatile medium. You'll explore essential materials, blending techniques, layering, colour application and mark-making while creating your own pastel artworks inspired by nature.

Caroline is a warm and enthusiastic tutor who loves helping students build skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
🌿 Basic Soft Pastel Techniques and Materials
🌿 7–28 July 2026
🌿 Tuesdays, 1.30pm – 4.00pm
🌿 NatureArt Lab, M16 Artspace, Griffith ACT

Whether you're completely new to pastels or looking to strengthen your foundations, this course offers a wonderful introduction to a colourful and rewarding medium.
Learn more and book your place:

https://natureartlab.com.au/products/introduction-to-pastels-new-with-caroline-reid

Image credit: Caroline Reid.
https://www.instagram.com/carolinereidartist/
https://www.carolinereidartist.com

Our nature tours are truly one-of-a-kind, and we were fortunate enough to collaborate with the incredibly talented Costa Rican artist Tamara Rojas during our visit to San Jose.

We brought the Lesson's motmot to life on canvas - an iconic and beloved bird in Costa Rica, distinguished by its vibrant turquoise crown, striking black face mask, and signature pendulum tail feathers with ‘racquet’ tips.

This was a lovely way to begin our journey!

🌿 Seeds, pods, leaves and clay. What marks can nature make?

Join us for a fascinating day of exploration as we uncover the textures, patterns and impressions hidden within Australian native plants.

Using wet clay, acrylic paint and botanical materials, you'll create layered monoprints that capture the character and energy of the Australian bush. As pods, leaves and seeds are pressed into the clay surface, unexpected marks begin to emerge—revealing intricate details that often go unnoticed.

This workshop is all about process, experimentation and discovery. You'll explore layering, texture, repetition and composition while allowing chance and intuition to play an important role in the creative journey.

One of the most exciting aspects of the day is the creation of ghost prints—soft secondary impressions that hold traces of previous marks, creating atmospheric images rich with memory and mystery.

Discover new ways of responding to nature through printmaking.
💫 Earth Impressions: Monoprints of the Australian Bush
🌿 Saturday 11 July 2026
🌿 10.00am – 4.00pm
🌿 NatureArt Lab, M16 Artspace, Griffith ACT

A wonderful workshop for anyone who enjoys nature, texture, creative experimentation and the beauty of Australian flora.

https://natureartlab.com.au/products/clay-botanical-monoprints

✨ Last Few Days to Book! ✨

Have you ever wanted to create your own original prints inspired by the natural world?

Join Dr Fenja T. Ringl for Nature-Inspired Printmaking: An Introduction to Linocut and Drypoint and discover two exciting printmaking techniques in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment.

Drawing inspiration from plants, wildlife and natural forms, you'll learn how to design, carve and print your own unique artworks while exploring the distinctive qualities of both linocut and drypoint printmaking.

Whether you're completely new to printmaking or looking to expand your creative skills, this hands-on workshop offers a wonderful opportunity to create something truly personal.

🌿 Learn two versatile printmaking techniques
🌿 Create your own nature-inspired prints
🌿 Small, supportive class with expert guidance
🌿 No previous printmaking experience required

Places are limited and bookings close soon.

Find out more and secure your place here:
https://natureartlab.com.au/products/nature-inspired-printmaking-an-introduction-to-linocut-and-drypoint-with-dr-fenja-t-ringl?_pos=1&_sid=3bd0cc3dc&_ss=r

✨ Discover the joy of turning your observations of nature into beautiful hand-printed artworks.

See more of Fenja's wonderful work here: https://fenjatringl.com.au | https://www.instagram.com/fenjatringl/

Image credit: Dr Fenja T. Ringl.

🌿 Five Inspiring Workshops with Dr Anna Voytsekhovich

From the velvety patterns of moth wings to the shimmering transparency of cicada wings, join scientist, botanist, scientific illustrator and internationally recognised nature artist Dr Anna Voytsekhovich for a remarkable series of workshops that celebrate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Anna's 2026 workshop series includes Moths in Scratchboard, Wattles in Watercolour, Orchids in Watercolour, Arachnids in Watercolour and Buzzing Cicadas in Watercolour.

✨ Special Promotion
Book into two or more of Anna's workshops — or enrol with a friend — and receive $30 off per person, per workshop.
Use code ANNA2026 at checkout.

Whether you're fascinated by insects, native plants, orchids or Australia's incredible biodiversity, Anna's workshops combine scientific observation, artistic excellence and warm, encouraging teaching to help you see the natural world with fresh eyes.
🌿 Moths in Scratchboard — 15–16 August
🌿 Wattles in Watercolour — 5–6 September
🌿 Orchids in Watercolour — 17–18 October
🌿 Arachnids in Watercolour — 14–15 November
🌿 Buzzing Cicadas in Watercolour — 5–6 December

Learn more about Anna's workshops and the special promotion in our latest newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/natureartlab/marchnaturetours-13828944

✨ Slow down. Look closely. Discover the extraordinary through art.

See more of Anna's stunning work here:
https://www.instagram.com/trebouxia/

Image credits: Dr Anna Voytsekhovich.

Colours of Costa Rica! Our tour starts with a few relaxing days at a beautiful botanical gardens site in San Jose. The array of plants and birds, butterflies and other insects is impressive. Enjoy!

🌿 Friday Feature Artist: Alison Oberg

This week we're celebrating the wonderful Alison Oberg, a much-loved NatureArt Lab tutor whose classes are known for being creative, welcoming, fun and incredibly accessible.

Students often tell us how much they enjoy Alison's relaxed teaching style and her ability to help people transform inspiration from Australian flora into vibrant and expressive mixed media artworks. Whether you're completely new to art or have years of creative experience, Alison creates a supportive environment where everyone can explore, experiment and discover new possibilities.

One of Alison's great strengths is showing students how to look closely at nature and use colour, pattern, texture and design to create unique artworks inspired by the Australian landscape. No experience is necessary — just curiosity and a willingness to have a go!

✨ Upcoming classes with Alison include:
🌿 Introduction to Mixed Media
A perfect starting point for beginners wanting to explore a range of exciting materials and techniques.
🌿 Intermediate Mixed Media
Take your mixed media practice further while developing confidence and creative expression inspired by Australian native plants.
🌿 Botanical Inspired Design
Explore the remarkable shapes, patterns and structures found in nature and learn how to transform them into beautiful designs. This popular program includes both adult and teen workshops, and there's currently a special promotion available.

https://natureartlab.com.au/collections/canberra-classes

✨ You can also experience Alison's teaching through NatureArt Lab's Winter in the Woods program at the National Arboretum Canberra:
🌿 Banksia Design: Collage Creations
Saturday 27 June | 10.00am – 12.30pm
🌿 Banksia Patterns in Mixed Media
Thursday 30 July | 10.00am – 12.30pm

Bookings are made through the National Arboretum website:
www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/visit/whats-on/feature-events/winter-in-the-woods/winter-workshops/banksia-mixed-media-with-natureart-lab

These fun, hands-on workshops invite participants to create colourful and dynamic Banksia-inspired artworks using collage, drawing and mixed media techniques. All materials are provided and begiThese fun, hands-on workshops invite participants to create colourful and dynamic Banksia-inspired artworks using collage, drawing and mixed media techniques. All materials are provided and beginners are warmly welcome.

💚 Alison's workshops remind us that creativity isn't about perfection—it's about observation, experimentation and finding joy in the natural world around us.

Have you taken a class with Alison? We'd love to hear what you enjoyed most!

Image credits: Alison Oberg
See more of Alison's amazing work here: https://www.instagram.com/obergalison/