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​​Join us for this fun, paint-filled week and learn Greg’s unique approach to intuitive landscape painting. 

No matter what level of abstraction you prefer, recognizable subject matter or pure abstraction,  this workshop has been designed to help you find your way.

​Greg will share with you the fundamental foundations of all his paintings, his four key pillars of success: Composition, Colour, Texture and Stroke.  
With an emphasis on FUN, your goal will be to make each painting different and or more satisfying than the previous one. 

​With just a few key elements to remember and no "recipes" to follow, you just need to stay open to play and to delight in the randomness of nature and your imagination. 
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You’ll use unconventional painting tools and will begin to view each of them as an opportunity.  Think paint scrapers, palette knife and even cardboard.  A limited palette and minimal supply list also helps make for success.. And Greg primarily uses the very inexpensive acrylic tube paint brands!  Not that you can tell! ​

It is exhilarating to let go of control and learn to respond to your mark making, letting the paint lead the way.
Through experimentation you will become aware of the mark and learn how to utilize it in translating the landscape.  

​We’ll play with opposites; warm & cool, thick & thin, textured & smooth,  light & dark, neutrals & brights and many more.

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​While always looking to nature as our inspiration,  we’ll be making it all up in this workshop.   No reference images needed!  

We won't be looking to the old masters, or hitting the books but will instead begin to flex our intuition muscle, learn to trust our feelings and allow them to guide our decisions.

​Greg will present inspiring demonstrations along with a few invaluable step-by-step power-point presentations of his process from beginning through completion.

You'll see his completed paintings along with the stages each one of them went through. Greg will explain each technique he used and why. Such a valuable learning tool!

Throughout the week, you’ll be given a few assignments to help keep you focused along with tons of painting time.  There'll be  lots of one-on-one time with Greg along with a constructive critique or two sprinkled in.
We will keep the substrate size on the small to medium size.  This will allow more opportunities for you to practice. Greg will complete a few paintings during the workshop (more if time permits) and will also demonstrate many more techniques for you to add to your tool box.
Greg holds nothing back and with his guidance and your hands-on practice you’ll learn how to incorporate all four of Greg's key pillars of success into your own work too!
​By the end of the week, you will have discovered the delight in painting and experienced the true joy of creating! 

​​As Greg likes to put it: You'll be painting for the sheer fun of it!  
Be sure to read faq's here
Visit Greg's Etsy shop:  HargreavesArt
Max:  14 Only
Session 1  5 Days 
Session 2  5 Days
Hours:  10 - 4:30 daily  30 - 45 minutes for lunch
Easels:  NO   You'll paint on your table top.  
Level:  Students should have basic knowledge of acrylic paints and be familiar with basic color theory 
Medium: Acrylic (no oils)  Quick drying times are required. 
Tuition: TBA
Location: 1520 Stewart Avenue, Nanaimo, BC  (Near Departure Bay ferries)
NEW DATES COMING SOON!
ABSTRACTING THE LANDSCAPE:  NATURE RE-IMAGINED
Nanaimo, BC
​Join us for this fabulous intuitive
​painting workshop so you too can paint gorgeous abstract landscapes! 

You'll also experience what it feels like
​to paint happy!



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​ABSTRACTING THE LANDSCAPE:  NATURE RE-IMAGINED

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SILVERSMITH INTENSIVE WITH KELLY ALLANSON
5 DAYS - 5 AMAZING PROJECTS​
SESSION 1  3 days September  TBA
SESSION 2  3 days September   TBA

​This fabulous week-long Jewellery Intensive Workshop was designed specifically to teach you essential jewellery fabrication methods with each project chosen for its beauty and scope of techniques. 
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​​​​No other workshop or class out there comes close to matching the number of techniques you'll learn and the awesome finished pieces you'll go home with!   Perfect for all skill levels as projects will be adapted to meet individual needs.
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​​​CHUNKY CASTELLATED BEZEL RING
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Take your bezel setting to new heights!  You will learn to fabricate a unique castellated bezel for a large cabochon gemstone of choice. (Kelly will have a variety to choose from. Think mid to large size, oval, round or freeform. 
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Components are handcrafted from thick sterling silver sheet.  Design your bezel cuts with random heights or keep them uniform, they are beautiful either way.  You do you!
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​Once assembled you will construct your ring band using a number of staggered square wires to compliment the stepped height of your castellated  bezel.
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You can choose a high polish finish or use Liver of Sulphur for a beautiful contrast.
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This is a real statement piece!
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​ASYMMETRICAL FORMED PENDANT & THE TRENDING PAPERCLIP CHAIN
Embracing the lines is the key to this beauty.  You will begin by choosing a mix of sterling silver, copper, brass and bronze for the body of your piece.  Next,  we'll bond them together, cut to size and hammer into shape to create long tubular channels.  You will accomplish this using forming blocks and mallets.
To spice it up, you can opt to add texture with punches, hammers and or drilling holes which makes each one that much more unique. 
Once shaped, you'll strategically solder them together and learn how to best set a fresh water half-drilled pearl in a secure and safe manner.  There will be a variety of pearls and colors to choose from.  
Lastly, you will fabricate the trendiest chain of 2022, the Paperclip!  Learn how best to attach your chain to your pendant for a balanced and beautiful piece.  Connect your chain links with jump rings or without. 
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BRAIDED & SECTIONED BRACELET
For something completely new, Kelly will teach you how to weave two sections for your bracelet.  Doubling the exercise ensures you will have the techniques mastered as it is a little tricker than it looks. 

It's like magic watching the weave transform as you hammer down the sterling silver wires into a gorgeous braid. ​
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You will move onto fabricating all of your end caps, links and closure to finish your bracelet.  Some fine soldering skills will be required and or attained for this project!
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This project is reminiscent of Viking knit but with a completely different approach and is much more durable.

Once learned you won't want to stop making these which is a good thing because everyone will want one!​
​LEAF SAWN CAPTURED STONE RING WITH ROLLED & FILED SHANK DESGIN

Pulling your inspiration from nature, this ring brings an organic component to your metal that otherwise can be difficult to attain.
 
You'll begin by manipulating your wire into a tapered free-flowing, vine inspired ring band utilizing a hammer, files and rolling mill.  (Kelly will also explain how to replicate this at home without the use of a mill.)

​From here you will design and saw your organic monstera leaf design or any leaf shape of your choosing out of sterling silver plate.  These stunning little leaves will wrap around and slightly over your stone capturing it in place.  
 
Next you'll start piecing all of your components together.  The ring is built one step at a time and by utilizing small increments of pinching and soldering, the metal will soon begin to secure your cabochon into place.

​You will put the final finish your ring by either highly polishing or oxidizing it and set your stone using the leaves and vines to hug it into place.  This gorgeous ring encapsulates and connects you to nature even when you can't physically be in it!
FABULOUS FILIGREE EARRINGS WITH STONES SET FROM BEHIND (Or Pendants)

You will design and construct your earring frames in the shape of your choosing utilizing the materials supplied. 

You may can roll down your wire in keeping with the more traditional filigree style of fabrication or opt for a bit more of a contemporary look. 

You will design your own delicate pattern pieces for inside your frame ensuring that each students work is truly unique!  

Kelly will demonstrate two ways to assemble your filigree pieces, either by soldering for the less experienced student or by fusing of the fine silver for the more advanced. 
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You will also learn a fun and clever way to set a stone or beautiful abalone shell from behind.   Kelly will have a variety to choose from. 

In the end you will have a gorgeous pair or earrings or pendants.  Lastly, you will make quick ear wires for earrings or jump rings for bails.