Who can benefit from Painted Space Studio courses?

Courses are aimed equally at arts professionals – artists, art teachers and therapists - and those who wish to learn to paint and draw out of the anthroposophic impulse. Older people are particularly encouraged to take up painting, regardless of skill level or perceived ability, as painting is especially beneficial for people in the second half of life. A seeking adventurous spirit is more important than talent.

TECHNIQUES

Media: Watercolour wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, (including veil painting); pastels, charcoal and experiential drawing. Watercolour is the preferred medium for painting as the practice of painting is core to the Painted Space training (as is the experiencing of colour), but not mandatory. The aim is to work with a breathing fluidity, which can be achieved with pastels and other mediums.

Methods: Experiencing precedes knowledge and understanding in the anthroposophic approach to art, so the process is as important as the final artwork. The qualities of colour and gesture, dark and light, line, form, composition, human and cosmos studies form the core content.

Process: our approach is open, exploratory and immersive. Participants are guided, not instructed, through a process, which may be artistic, therapeutic, contemplative or pedagogical in direction.

Short course options

There are courses and workshops for all levels of experience and interests.

Courses and workshops can be taken individually or as part of the full two-year training program, Art as a Path of Schooling for the Soul.

Foundation Courses

Introduces the core concepts and techniques of the anthroposophic approach. In conjunction with technical videos, they provide you with a foundational skillset in wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry painting and a range of drawing and observation techniques.

Suitable for those new to the visual arts or practised artists new to the anthroposophical approach.

Advanced and Masterclasses

Extends your creative practice, hones your skills and introduce new ways of seeing and creating. Core painting skills and some knowledge of Anthroposophy recommended to get the best out of the Advanced and Masterclasses.

Ideal for artists, Steiner teachers and art teachers wishing to refresh their professional practice.

Workshop Intensives

Regular workshop intensives on special themes can be taken as part of the full training or individually. These immersive intensives take place on consecutive days/nights unless stated otherwise. Advertised a month or two in advance.

Suitable for all levels, these workshops have different themes: therapeutic indications, art in the Steiner School curriculum, Goethean phenomenology or art history webinars to engage a phenomenological way of contemplating art.

Lecture Series

Regular lectures on art, creativity, spiritual and cultural history, and nature phenomenology are part of the schooling course but can also be attended individually or rented for up to six months as video recordings/transcripts. Lecture themes are advertised two to three weeks in advance. There are also special art contemplations offered at Easter and Christmas.

There are several public lectures available on YouTube.

Videos and webinars

All courses and lectures are recorded and made available for up to six months to enrolled participants.

Pre-recorded demonstrations on different techniques and special themes can be rented for three months at any time. These are particularly suitable for beginners in watercolour and/or drawing skills and those using engaged in standalone self-study.

Course Fees

Schooling course: $2700 full training includes individual consultations, videos, resources and certification. Different payment options available. Options to pay by term or by year available.

Professional Development (PD) certificates: available for most courses for Steiner teachers and art therapists in Australia, but 70% live attendance and submission of 70% painting or drawing exercises from the course is required for the certificate.

Individual courses and workshops: Please see individual courses for details.

Videos: $10-$30 each for extended rental.

Individual consultations: $100 an hour, if taken outside of the diploma training program. These artistic consultations are tailored to the level and needs of the individual and are particularly effective for self-directed learners who need professional support sometimes. Can be taken in conjunction with the pre-recorded videos.

Currency: All costs are in AUD. Please see individual courses and workshops for USD equivalents.
International participants can pay via Western Union, PayPal or Wise.

Feature image: Sun and Moon Influences on the Plant as Counterimages, by Fiona Campbell, from the Complementaries and Counterimages: How To Know Higher Worlds course 2023.