2026 workshops at The Churn Room will be ready for booking very soon.

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2026 workshops at The Churn Room will be ready for booking very soon. +

get in, get messy, make something brilliant, and see what happens

make + learn + create 

Great News!!!

Workshops at The Churn Room Dayboro will be open for booking really soon

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Watercolour – Basic Techniques with Intention

September at The Churn Room booking opening soon

Watercolour is a medium I have always loved for its luminosity and expressiveness, but I know how tricky it can feel. In this workshop, I’ll guide you through foundational watercolour techniques with a gentle, mindful approach. We won’t rush to produce a finished piece; instead, we’ll focus on understanding how the medium behaves and how you can work with it intentionally.

Together, we’ll explore:

  • Surfaces and materials

  • Paint application and water control

  • Colour mixing

  • Layering techniques

  • Observation and composition

I designed this workshop to help you slow down, work with purpose, and build confidence. You’ll learn how to observe carefully, make considered decisions, and layer paint with patience so you can let watercolour work with you rather than against you.

About Me as a Teacher:

I have used watercolour extensively in my practice and come back to it at times when I need space and quiet. I find it a soothing process for my soul and a chance to pause, breathe and consider.
My teaching is clear, structured, and generous, combining technical knowledge with encouragement. I aim to help each participant build lasting confidence and understanding, whether you’re just starting out or have more experience.

I offer a range of workshops and teach at select venues

Want me to teach at your place? Got a dream workshop topic? Tell me all about it in the form, and let’s make it happen.

I have written an extensive workshop package. If you would like to host one of my workshops, you can download it below

Download Creative Workshops Guide

Drawing from Life

August at The Churn Room booking opening soon

Drawing from life is the foundation of all strong visual art. For me, it’s never about talent or perfection—it’s about learning how to really see.

In this workshop, I’ll help you develop your drawing skills and gain confidence working directly from life rather than photographs. We’ll focus on observing carefully, recording what you see with clarity, and making meaningful marks.

We’ll cover:

  • Observing and interpreting what you see

  • Translating three-dimensional subjects onto paper

  • Developing confident, purposeful mark making

  • Working in the field with focus and awareness

  • Letting go of comparison and fear of failure

Drawing is a way of thinking, noticing, and understanding the world. I’ll guide you in a supportive environment where you can build both skill and enjoyment in your drawing practice.

About Me as a Teacher:
Drawing is central to my practice, forming the foundation of my studio work and teaching.

My workshops are structured, supportive, and practical, helping participants develop skills, confidence, and a genuine enjoyment of drawing from life experience.

Fabulous Florals

July at The Churn Room booking opening soon

I have always been captivated by flowers, gardens, and the way nature expresses colour and form. This workshop is all about exploring that beauty through paint. I’ll show you how to understand floral forms, build rich layered backgrounds, and create textures that make your work sing.

Together, we’ll explore:

  • Working in series to develop your ideas

  • Experimenting with different tools and techniques

  • Creating depth and texture in your floral paintings

  • Finding new, exciting ways to apply paint

I spent a year-long residency at a flower farm, which gave me a special insight into how flowers grow, their shapes, and their colours. I bring that understanding into this workshop to help you capture the essence of your floral subjects with confidence and intention.

About Me as a Teacher:
My practice focuses on observation and layered, textured painting, with a love of flowers, gardens, and still life.

I aim to help each participant understand technique while building confidence and creating floral paintings that feel expressive and intentional.

floral

floral

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love colour?

learn how to use 8 tubes (yes! only 8) to make virtually every colour on the planet with my colour workshop

learn to love acrylic?

I didn’t always love acrylic paint, but I do now. Let me show you the magic of acrylic

Still Life Workshop

Learn to see the extraordinary in the everyday. In this still life workshop, you’ll work from direct observation to build strong compositions, mix confident colour, and create a layered acrylic painting that feels alive. Beginner or seasoned artist, you’ll be supported every step.

Floral Workshop

Unlock the flow and energy of flowers. This floral painting workshop takes you from quick observational sketches to a vibrant, expressive finished artwork. Play with colour, loosen up, and learn techniques that bring your florals to life, all with plenty of one-on-one guidance.

My Workshops are

suitable for every skill level, because I focus on you as an individual. You’ll get plenty of one-on-one support, tailored guidance, and clear, practical teaching that meets you exactly where you are.

Beginners are always welcome, truly! and established artists will find fresh challenge, depth, and direction.

You’ll learn to create with a sense of curiosity and confidence, building strong foundations in observation, colour, light, and mark-making. I’ll show you how to draw and paint from life, how to see your subject with clarity, and how to translate that into expressive, layered acrylic works.

My goal is simple: to help you grow your skills, trust your eye, and walk away feeling energised, supported, and proud of what you’ve made.

colour workshop

amazing acrylic workshop

expect loads of demonstrations, hands on and information

about my workshops

  • Woman with glasses and earrings smiling at camera, standing in art studio, holding a palette with green, yellow, and purple paints in front of a colorful still life painting of vases and fruits, with more paintings and supplies in the background.

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    I use all the materials you use in class. There is no saving the good stuff for myself

  • An artist's workspace with colorful paints, brushes, and artworks in progress, including a palette with mixed colors and various painting supplies.

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    I’ll show you how I employ innovative techniques to make exciting and beautiful art

  • A table with various colorful paintings, paint bottles, and art supplies during a painting session.

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    My workshops are open and generous. I want you to go home inspired and buzzing with creativity.

Why do my workshop?

An abstract painting of large white and blue flowers with dark stems against a vibrant yellow and green background, featuring bold brushstrokes and layered textures.

My workshops are for anyone curious about painting, from absolute beginners, returning creatives, to practising artists. If you want to slow down, see the world differently, and grow your confidence with colour and acrylic, this is the place for you.

No special skills are required, just a willingness to give it a try and be brave. Whether you want to build strong foundations or loosen up and reconnect with your creativity, my workshops are practical, supportive, and joyful.

If you love art, nature, and learning new things in good company, you’ll feel right at home. Each session is designed to inspire, encourage experimentation, and help you discover your own artistic voice.

Learn more

What my students say

  • Assorted abstract paintings and color swatches, including a piece with a black horse figure on green and red background, and another with floral patterns.

    Heather said........ “I’ve learnt an incredible amount from Helen’s workshops over several years. There are so many techniques and tips..

    I’ve learnt that I still apply in my painting practice and I know every workshop I attend I will learn something new and inspiring!”

  • A woman in a green and white striped shirt is painting a still life of green and yellow fruits in a vase on a canvas at an art studio. Other people are also engaged in painting, and the studio has colorful artwork displayed on the walls, with various painting supplies and potted plants on the tables.

    Liz said................ "Helen is good communicator who walked us through the proportions for the still life workshop set up. I

    particularly appreciated her deep knowledge of colours and her mix of textures, along with her vast technical background that supported what she shared with us"

  • People painting on a large wooden table with various art supplies and colorful paintings in progress, including a landscape with trees and a robot figure.

    Katrina said .......... "I've attended 3 art classes with Helen over the years in an attempt to add more creativity to my painting.

    Helen's deep knowledge of materials, colours and composition was amazing. Helen made the classes fun while guiding us to produce really lovely work. Helen has a real passion for creating art and shared her knowledge and methods to ensure we all benefitted from the courses"

  • Kaili said.............. "I’ve done two of Helen’s workshops now and absolutely loved them!

    She creates such a relaxed and welcoming vibe, and I’ve learned so much each time. I always leave feeling inspired and excited to keep painting. I’m looking forward to doing more workshops with Helen in the future"