Art of the Moment: Contemporary Painting – Intensive

Advanced

Intermediate

Painting

Summer 2026

Schedule

Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 weeks)
7 - 9:30pm

Location

Virtual

Course Fee

$245 +HST

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About this course

Join renowned artist Martha Johnson for a virtual course designed to naturally evolve and elevate your approach to painting. This short-term program offers a dedicated space to explore the foundational concepts and experimental techniques driving today’s contemporary artwork. This course invites you to shift the focus from strict representation to personal expression, looking at how materiality, scale, and surface interact to convey meaning. Through clear demonstrations and supportive, project-based learning, you will learn to bring together gestural brushwork and thoughtful compositions. Martha will guide you in developing a smooth, confident workflow, moving from your initial concept sketch to a developed piece while equipping you with the creative tools to explore and define your own artistic voice.

What you'll learn

Define and apply contemporary painting styles and expressive mark-making techniques.
Cultivate skills in creating compelling compositions for contemporary artwork.
Explore the creative process from inception to completion within a contemporary context.
Develop a strong conceptual and technical foundation for individual painting practices.
Construct paintings that reflect a unique artistic voice and personal expression.

This course is designed for those with some painting experience who are ready to embrace the principles of contemporary art and deepen their creative practice.

Open to all painterly media*. Colours should include: Ultramarine blue, Alizarin Crimson, Hansa Yellow, Yellow ochre, Titanium White, Mars or Lamp Black
8-ounce white Gesso
Small Matte medium
Paint markers
Pastels
One canvas (no smaller than 14”x18”)
Charcoal Pencils (medium) and Willow stick for drawing
Sketchbook (no smaller than 12 x14″)
five acrylic bristle brushes including one 1” Bright style brush, two medium sized brushes, one small and one Rigor style brush for detail
Printed landscape photocopy, one black and white, one colour, each 11” x 17”, if possible
A few sheets of Bond printer paper
Scissors
Masking tape
A couple of coloured pencils
Ruler or straight edge
Rags
Nitrile gloves
Water container
Students should have their work on an easel or in a stable vertical position during session time for visibility.
Over the weeks together other varied contemporary materials may be suggested.

*Martha’s practice is as a sculptor, drawer, acrylic painter, mixed media artist. You are welcome to work in oil in this virtual session, however Martha is not primarily an oil painter.

What students say

They weren't sure either.

"An oasis of pure happiness. The teacher's relaxed competence and warmth, combined with that particular combination of solitude and togetherness that Zoom provides, were perfect."

Leslie Cooper · Virtual class

"My drawing class is what I imagine meditation is like. The class begins and your brain immediately takes you to another place — a zen-like space that's deeply relaxing. Magical."

Leslie Milrod · Drawing class

"As a beginner I was concerned the content may be challenging, however our instructor was very knowledgeable, patient and provided excellent guidance, demonstrations and feedback. I recommend the course to anyone wanting to learn."

Melanie Marshall · Watercolour Essentials

Martha Johnson

BFA Honours · Listed Canadian Artist

Martha received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Honours, from the University of Guelph, and was mentored by Tom Hodgson (Painter's 11). Known for figurative and landscape painting, her work is held in public, corporate and private collections worldwide. Visit marthajohnson.ca

FAQs

Please find answers to commonly asked questions here. If you're still in doubt, don't hesitate to contact us: contactus@avenueroadartsschool.com