The Art of Less: Simplifying Photos Before You Paint

Join us in person for a chill session diving into the magic of minimalism in art!

Learn how to simplify your photos, stripping away the noise, so your painting shines with clarity and style.

Perfect for artists looking to boost their creativity and focus on what really matters.

Don't miss out on mastering the art of less — your next masterpiece awaits!

📍 Location: Melbourne Central Skybridge
📅 Date: Sunday, 24 May
⏰ Time: 10am – 12pm (2 hours)
👥 Limited to 7 spots
🎒 Materials included

The Art of Less: Simplifying Photos Before You Paint

— Discover how to break down a photo into simple, paintable shapes.

A relaxed 2-hour workshop where you’ll learn to edit, reduce clutter, find your focal point,

and create a clear plan before touching your brush.

Perfect for beginners and all levels.

Learn The Art of Less — a practical and beginner-friendly approach to simplifying scenes from photos before you paint.

In this 2-hour guided workshop, you’ll explore how to distil a busy photo into clear shapes, values, and a strong composition. Whether you're painting landscapes, street scenes, or everyday moments, understanding how to simplify what you see is the key to confident, expressive artwork.

You’ll practise step-by-step methods to reduce detail, identify your focal point, and create a paint-ready sketch. We’ll work with watercolour, but the skill of simplification applies to any medium.

All materials are provided, but feel free to bring your favourite paints, brushes, and photo references if you like. A digital handout is included for ongoing practice.

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (10 mins)
Light mark-making warm-up: lines, shapes, quick mini-value swatches.

2. Understanding “The Art of Less” (15 mins)
How artists simplify:

• Seeing in shapes
• Identifying the focal point
• Removing visual clutter

3. Step-by-Step Photo Simplification (30 mins)
Learn and practise:

• Cropping & composition
• Value mapping
• Turning complex scenes into 3–5 major shapes

4. Creating a Paint-Ready Sketch (30 mins)
Using your chosen photo (provided or your own), create a simplified line + value guide ready for watercolour.

5. Optional Mini Painting or Colour Notes (20 mins)
Test colour choices, make quick swatches, or begin a small simplified study.

6. Reflection & Q&A (15 mins)
Review your work, share insights, and receive a digital handout for further practice.

Do I need experience?
Not at all. This workshop is designed for beginners and is helpful for all levels.

What do I need to bring?
All materials are provided. You’re welcome to bring your favourite paints, brushes, or photo references.

Is this a painting class?
This session focuses on simplifying a scene before painting—though you’ll have the option to do a mini colour study at the end.

Will I get something to take home?
Yes — your simplified sketches, plus a digital handout with exercises for continued practice.

What if it rains or the weather is bad?
No worries — the Skybridge is fully sheltered and weatherproof.

Will I get a reminder before the workshop?
Yes — we’ll send you an email reminder with the exact meeting details 2 days before the event.

Can I get a refund?
Yes. Contact the organiser directly to arrange a transfer to another workshop.

Is this suitable for kids?
This workshop is designed for adults, but older teens are welcome with a guardian.

Let's simplify the photo references into paintable shapes.

See ya!

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Host or Publisher Jaime Hoe