Take the pathway to a creative life in Fine Arts
The Melbourne Studio of Arts’ Pathways to Fine Arts program is for artists considering a career in Fine Arts or for those wishing to develop their artistic skills to the fullest.
Drawing basics
The Melbourne Studio of Arts’ (MSA) program is widely recognised and respected, and for many past students it has been the steppingstone to a career in Fine Art.
The program not only helps students gain entry into Fine Art courses at tertiary institutions, but also helps them establish their own art practice.
Integrated classes in drawing and painting will give you advanced skills while developing your individual creative style.
The Pathways to Fine Arts program is open to students of all ages and skill levels – beginners, self-taught, or advanced.
You will create an impressive collection of observational drawings and paintings under the guidance of accomplished artists Geoff Dupree, Michael Gray, Dena Lester, Ju-Yuen Chui and Daniel Smith.
Conducted over four terms, the Pathways to Fine Arts program runs from Monday to Friday.
Students can undertake one unit or multiples. The more days you attend, the lower the cost.
Students enrolled in the Pathways to Fine Arts program can attend MSA’s weekly Untutored Life Drawing sessions on Thursday nights for the cost of $10 per session. Please note, bookings are essential.
Please call 9528 3390 for details of single and multiple unit costs.
Pathways to Fine Arts Program
Units Timetable
| Day | Time | Class | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday: | 10am - 4pm | Drawing and Painting with Geoff Dupree |
1 |
| Tuesday: | 10am - 4pm | Oil Painting with Geoff Dupree | 2 |
| Wednesday: | 10am - 4pm | Drawing & Painting with Dan Smith | 3 |
| Thursday: | 10am - 12.30pm | Elements of Drawing with Ju-Yuen Chew | 4 |
| Friday: |
10am - 4pm |
Classical Drawing & Painting Techniques with Dan Smith |
6 |
Unit 1: Drawing and Painting with Geoff Dupree
Monday 10am - 4pm. Tutor: Geoff Dupree
Develop your skills in drawing and painting
Learn drawing and painting techniques – and how the two skills are related – under the guidance of Master painter and tutor, Geoff Dupree.
Your studies will include:
- Understanding how to mix and work with acrylic paint
- Simple and complex colour combinations
- Relating colour to drawing
Each semester you will learn to create art works with convincing forms, space and atmosphere, drawing and painting from still life, copies of great Master Artists and nude models.
Importantly, you will learn how to work quickly over sustained periods and how to use your knowledge of drawing and painting with acrylics across a range of mediums and subjects.
Availability: Students are accepted into this course further to discussion with the school Director due to limited availability. We accept some beginners at the commencement of the year but recommend this course to intermediate - advanced students.
Unit 2: Oil Painting with Geoff Dupree
Tuesday 10am - 4pm. Tutor: Geoff Dupree
Learn to paint with oils and water colours
This course explores basic painting in oils, water colours, and associated water-based mediums, with a focus on still life and life model subjects.
You will learn to:
- use materials, mix colours, and apply paint
- create subtle colour and tone in your paintings
- combine colour with drawing to create form and space
- build up a painting in stages
Tutor, Geoff Dupree gives students practical insights into the use of these mediums through studies of the work of recognised artists.
Throughout the semester, your knowledge, skills and individual style will evolve with each work you create.
Availability: This course is open to Intermediate - Advanced students only further to an interview with the school Director.
Unit 3: Drawing & Painting Intensive with Dan Smith
Wednesday 10am - 4pm. Tutor: Daniel Smith
Learn the basic skills of drawing and painting
This course is an intensive introduction to important foundation skills in drawing and painting that are often not addressed in conventional art schools. A methodical approach is employed in enabling participants to understand techniques and processes important in the building of good paintings and drawings.
Students will study a version of the following subjects each term:
- how to use and organize materials including acrylic and oil paints
- how to see objects in order to be drawn
- colour mixing and understanding tone
- using focus and concentration towards personal expression
Under the tutoring of accomplished artist Daniel Smith, students will see concrete development in their skills over a relatively short time.
This program is perfect for both beginners and artists who would like to learn the basic structural processes of observational art making.
Unit 4: Elements of Drawing with Ju-Yuen Chew
Thursday 10am - 12.30pm. Tutor: Ju-Yen Chui
Learn the skills and theory of drawing
In the General Drawing Course unit, tutor Ju-Yuen Chew teaches students formal drawing techniques using still life and life models.
You will learn about tone, texture, perspective, measuring, and composition, as well as the theory behind various drawing techniques and methods.
As you develop your personal style, you will to be encouraged to incorporate personal expression in your drawings.
This course is excellent for all levels of ability from beginners upwards and is known for the rapid development of its students skills.
Unit 5: Working with Watercolours
Thursday 1.30 - 4.00pm. Tutor: TBA
Get guidance in using this classical medium
Melbourne Studio of Art's Watercolour workshop enables students to learn how to use this complex medium. Drawing from life, still life and the outdoor landscape, students will develop an ability to use this medium with confidence.
