Workshops

Workshops planned for later this year
(dates and details to be confirmed):

Taking a Line For a Walk - a fun drawing workshop for anyone who "can't even draw a straight line!" - you won't need to.

Watercolour Sketchbook - learning about journaling , a great way to record travels and everyday life using your sketchbook and simple materials

Beginners Watercolour - two days of intensive watercolour to help you begin your painting journey.

Please contact me if you'd like to be added to the mailing list for more info about these as I confirm the details.

'Running into Watercolour' - Workshop at Hanmer Springs

February 2026

I'm exhausted and happy after a big day workshop at Hanmer Springs- a great bunch of people, willing to jump out of their comfort zones! Thanks everyone and a big thanks to both Hanmer school for hosting us and Amuri Community Arts council for inviting me along.
~Jan

Jan Thomson's Watercolour Birds Workshop 2024

By Julie Toth

~"I thoroughly enjoyed Jan Thompson’s watercolour bird workshop in Wellington. On our first day, we covered Jan’s four basic building blocks for painting: shape, value, colour and edge. We practiced beaks and feet and had a chuckle about the possibility of hiding the feet!

In the afternoon we chose a bird and three colours for some practice. Towards the end of the first day, we painted Flamingo heads in all sorts of fabulous pinks and oranges. On day two, we were asked to come with images of four different birds. Jan suggested we paint a portrait, a black and white, a flying, and a coloured bird.

Reviews

We were taken through the process from beginning to end with demonstrations. I found this really useful. One of the many great tips was to start with the eye, where the darkest and lightest point of the painting is likely to be. Jan’s warm teaching style made the weekend a real treat. She has a vast knowledge and catered to all skill levels with a well-paced, fun weekend. I’d happily attend another of Jan’s courses."

~"Loved every minute, feel more confident”

~“I had an epiphany this weekend – I really can paint!”

~“This workshop was my first step into the world of creating art - it has opened up a new way of looking at the world and it was a very safe place to take the plunge!”

~ "A heartfelt thank you for sharing your artistic gift. You have inspired me with your watercolours and even though my paints come out less often than I like, I treasure the beauty and creativity that envelopes those peaceful times spent with a brush or pencil, inspired by our natural world. "

~"I still treasure our time together and remember vividly bursting into tears when I completed my first painting with you having been told by my art teacher that I’d never amount to anything in the art world. Lord forbid if a teacher spoke to a young person in this manner today! I can still vividly recall the statement, but you cut through that and healed me."

~"I really loved your class! Thank you both very much for having me. "

~"Thanks Jan for a very motivating day. So refreshing in a busy life to clear your head and focus on one thing."

~"I felt that you have a fantastic teaching style Jan, so welcoming and informative that it was a wonderful encouraging environment in which to try new things. So thank you! "

~“just want to say what a great weekend it was. I can say without reservation that I found your class more constructive and helpful than any other art class that I have attended. Clearly you have spent considerable time and energy distilling your art knowledge into a format that can be easily understood by budding painters who are keen and willing to learn. Quite a skill, I think.”

~“The generosity of Jan sharing of her knowledge along with her energy and enthusiasm, was brilliant -a born teacher and beautiful artist!”

~“Your tuition skills are superb and innovative, thanks from my heart for helping me start on this new adventure”.