Art of the Moment: Contemporary Painting – Intensive

Artist painting an expressive botanical composition on paper using gloved hands and ink

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
Enroll Now
Back to classes

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.

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
Image

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

Summer 2026
Schedule
Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 weeks)
7 - 9:30pm
Location
Virtual
Course Fee
$245 +HST
Enroll Now

Keep exploring

  • Bronze sculpture with a decorative ceramic globe for a head standing outside the Gardiner Museum entrance — Avenue Road Arts School Floral Motif at the ROM course
  • Exterior image of Spadina museum - Avenue Road Arts School Art Sketching the Garden and Orchard