Norma enjoys developing or tailoring workshops to your specific needs and requests. She is happy to travel to any location. Simply Contact Norma to develop and book your own workshop. The following courses require that you bring your own supplies. Please see our Supply List.

1. Foundations in Acrylics

   Whether new or experienced in acrylic painting, this course has something for everyone. A step-by-step approach with the goal of completing an image of one's choice, activities will include: painting on a large canvas; basic colour theory and mixing; value study; an overview of acrylic mediums. Three full days of practical information and creative fun to "loosen things up". Norma will work with each individual to express and develop their individual talents.

2. Portraiture in Acrylics

   This workshop includes basic facial proportions and bone structure, painting mouth and eyes, light and shadow to dramatize features, skin tones and painting a portrait of choice. knowledge/expertise in painting with acrylics is a prerequisite of this workshop. Whatever your art experience or level, this workshop will gently push you to new levels of creativity. Norma's workshops are much sought after in the Pacific Northwest and bring rave reviews from participants, who range from beginners to accomplished artists.

3. Bootcamp — 5 days

   For beginners and experienced alike, this acrylic workshop will take you on a journey from where you are...to where you want to go. Whether your artistic goal is to begin in acrylics, to refine your work or to go beyond current boundaries, Norma, works with each participant individually to take you to the next step in your creativity. While working on images of choice participants will be led through layers of different art elements and techniques to arrive at a completed pieces of art. Included in the workshop is colour theory and mixing, elements of art such as value, form, space, basic composition rules and the use of acrylic mediums to add texture to your work. This is a fun workshop, participants learn from each other's work, and it's full of practical information balanced with creativity.

4. Developing your Own Style

   Time to experiment! The workshop includes a variety of techniques while you will be lead through exploratory exercises in 'styles' with the idea of choosing one to paint on canvas from the images you bring. The goal is to expand and stretch the way you see and paint taking you along the road in developing your own unique style. Bring several images (not a copy of someone else's work) from which to choose.

5. Achieving your Goals

   This acrylic workshop will take you on a journey from where you are... to where you want to go. Whether your artistic goal is to refine your work, develop your own style or to go beyond current boundaries, Norma, works with each participant individually to take you to the next step in your creativity. Simply let Norma know what your goal is prior to the workshop and the focus will be developed to achieve that goal.

6. Texture Techniques

   For those of you who are interested in learning texture techniques to enhance their work whether abstract or realism. Partcipants will be led through exercises including use of molding paste, taking transparencies from photos and adding other materials. We will also be experimenting with different tools, and techniques to expand the possibilities of expression.

7. Colour, Colour, Colour

   This workshop is an in-depth colour exploration of the colour wheel made simple. Participants will be shown the differences in paint brands and how to adjust colour accordingly, mixing colour, determining value of colour and using compliments to breathe life and vibrancy into your work.

8. Bringing Vibrancy & Depth to your Work

   The three day journey begins and ends with you working through layers of different art elements and technique, expressing your unique creativity. As a participant, you'll select the image, and we'll work using complimentary colours to make your painting come alive! The workshop will explore values and colour theory as well dynamic techniques unique to acrylics. Whatever your art experience or level, this workshop will gently push you to new levels of creativity.

9. Abstracts in Acryics

   This workshop looks at various styles and methods of painting abstract in acrylics. Participants will be led through exploratory exercises in 3 different abstract styles and learn to express emotional levels in their work. Working on a canvas size of choice, participants will be led through layers of different techniques and media to arrive at a completed piece of art. The purpose of this workshop is to learn the tools and have fun experiment to find the direction you want your abstracts to go.

10. Free Flow Abstracts

    For those of you who are ready or simply interested in painting on canvas with no preconceived ideas of what you are about to paint to create free flow abstract works of art. Partcipants will be led through exercises to express the inner creative life and emotional levels in their work. We will also be experimenting with different tools, mixed media and techniques to expand the possibilities of expression.

11. Abstract Styles & Techniques

    This workshop looks at various styles and methods of painting abstract in acrylics. Participants will be led through exploratory exercises in styles and learn to express emotional levels in their work. Working on a canvas size of choice, participants will be led through layers of different techniques and media to arrive at a completed piece of art. The purpose of this workshop is to learn the tools and have fun experiment to find the direction you want your abstracts to go.

12. Private Lessons

    Looking for help in completing a piece of work you have been working on? Or perhaps want to know how to paint certain topics you have difficulty with? You may want to start from scratch and wish one to one instruction to bring you along swiftly.