Artist creating pastel artwork at Pastel Society of Victoria event.

We conduct regular Workshops throughout the year

Our demonstrators & tutors are international, interstate and local artists who are experts in their chosen medium. Workshops usually run over 1, 2 or 3 days and are a wonderful way to improve your skills and well worth the investment of your time.

How to Book

For most workshops, this is a 2-Step process.

STEP 1. Fill out the relevant workshop Registration Form & remember to click on the Submit button for your registration to go through.

STEP 2. Pay online for the relevant workshop by selecting either the ‘Member’ or Non-member’ option from the drop-down box. Then click on the ‘Add to cart’ button for that workshop and go through the secure payment process.

Places will only be held once fees are paid.

Workshop Payments & Refund Policy

When enrolling in a PSVA Workshop we require full payment. Please note that $50.00 of the Workshop fee is non-refundable. The balance of the fee will be refunded if you cancel at least 7 days prior to the Workshop, but only if your place is filled.

When enrolling in a PSVA Paint Away Retreat, see the Information Brochure for the Payments information and Refund Policy

The Workshop Coordinator, in consultation with the President and/or Treasurer, has the discretion to alter the above policy should extenuating circumstances apply.

To enquire about available places or further information, contact our Workshop Coordinator

Workshops & Paint Away|Retreats : Kerrie Carter via email at workshop@vicpastel.com.au

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Three water lily watercolour paintings from The Pastel Society of Victoria.

The Secret Life of Waterlilies

with Stephie Clark

2-Day Workshop

12 & 13 September 2026

Tutor

We are delighted to welcome Stephie Clark back to present this exciting workshop.

Stephie is a soft pastel–obsessed artist from Australia who works primarily from her country studio in Armidale, NSW. She divides her time between painting in the studio and teaching workshops throughout Australia and internationally, including France and the United States.

Stephie is best known for her free-flowing paintings of florals and fruit. Her expressive style is uninhibited by rules and boundaries, allowing her to capture the beauty, colour, and energy of the natural world. Inspired by nature and its ever-changing palette, her work is both vibrant and joyful.

Her paintings have been featured in Pratique des Arts, a leading French art magazine, and she recently demonstrated at the prestigious International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico—one of the world’s premier pastel events.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from an inspiring artist whose enthusiasm, creativity, and generous teaching style make her workshops both enjoyable and rewarding.

Venue

Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre, 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156

About this Workshop

Over two days we’ll explore how to create expressive waterlily paintings full of light, atmosphere and beautiful colour. We’ll simplify the landscape into strong shapes and values before building layers of colour to create luminous water, reflections and floating blooms.

We’ll cover:

Simplifying composition and design
Values before colour
Creating atmosphere and glowing light
Painting reflections and water
Warm and cool colour relationships
Layering and expressive mark-making
Lost and found edges for depth and focus
Finishing with confidence without overworking

Students of all experience levels are welcome.

The Secret Life of Waterlilies | Information Brochure

The Secret Life of Waterlilies | Registration Form

Online Payment

Choose the relevant payment option below from the drop-down box, before clicking on the ‘Add to cart’ button

Pastel artworks of a rural farm scene and a lighthouse on the coast.

Capturing the Australian Landscape with Colour, Light & Mood

with Ricky Schembri

2-Day Workshop | Paint-Away

17 & 18 October 2026

Tutor

Ricky Schembri has been an artist for as long as he can remember, developing a strong connection with pastel from the very first time he picked up the medium. He was immediately drawn to its effortless application, sketchy qualities and intense vibrancy—and has been exploring its possibilities ever since.

For Ricky, painting is a constant journey of discovery. He believes the more you paint, the more you learn, and that the possibilities are endless. He is inspired by subjects that capture his attention, with the challenge being to translate that initial spark into a painting that communicates with the viewer.

Painting en plein air is Ricky’s motivational pick-me-up, providing an opportunity to respond directly to the landscape and the ever-changing effects of light and colour.

His work has received numerous awards and accolades in Australia, as well as several awards and competition successes in the United States. Ricky has been a full-time artist since 2022 and in 2025, together with his partner Alexandra Davis, completed the creation of their own studio and gallery.

Ricky brings his passion, experience and enthusiasm for pastel to every workshop, encouraging students to explore, experiment and discover the possibilities of the medium for themselves.

Venue

Studio 75, 75 Survey Lane, Killarney, Victoria 3283

About this Workshop

Join Ricky for an inspiring two-day workshop exploring how colour can transform a landscape painting, creating mood, contrast, depth and energy.

Day One – In the Studio
The workshop begins in Ricky’s studio, where he will demonstrate his painting process and share his approach to developing a dynamic landscape from reference.

Students will then put these ideas into practice, working from Ricky’s reference images or their own photographs. With individual guidance and demonstrations throughout the day, participants will explore composition, colour choices, contrast and techniques for creating a strong, engaging landscape.

Participants can expect to complete one to two paintings during the first day.

Day Two – en Plein Air at Port Fairy

On day two, take your newly developed skills outdoors and experience the beautiful surrounds of Port Fairy.

Ricky will guide participants through the process of choosing a compelling subject and developing a pleasing composition without becoming overwhelmed by the abundance of visual information around them.

Working directly from the landscape, participants will build on the skills explored on day one while learning to respond to changing light, colour and atmosphere.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your landscape painting skills, gain confidence working en Plein Air, or simply see colour in a new way, this workshop promises two days of painting, exploration and inspiration.

Capturing the Australian Landscape | Information Brochure

Capturing the Australian Landscape | Registration Form