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Flex your creative muscles with New Year art classes

Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa has a large programme of classes for anyone who wants to develop their artistic side. Here are a few that are new this term: Decorative dolls

Tilda style dolls have been popular with crafters and sewers around the world, since they were first introduced by Norwegian Tone Finnanger 24 years ago. Claire Bégin wants everyone in her eight-week Estuary Arts class to come away with a doll they have made from scratch, then decorated to their own taste and style. These are not so much dolls you play with – they are designed to be displayed around the home. The bodies are made of calico, then dressed and accessorised. Claire says making each one unique is the fun, creative part – her dolls include one in a 19th Century dress and one with a musical theme. Some sewing experience is needed. The class is called Tilda Style Rag Doll with Claire.

Claire Bégin

Get started with acrylics

Beginner painters often start with acrylics, and, while this is a fairly user-friendly medium, according to acrylic tutors Iona Breinhorst and Kate Jones, there are tricks of the trade that make the whole process more satisfying. With that in mind, Iona and Kate have two new courses for beginner acrylic painters starting this term at Estuary Arts. Silverdale resident Iona has been painting since childhood and says the aim of her course is to be casual, informative and encourage the enthusiasm of new painters. As well as colour theory, her course will look at giving painters the confidence that comes from knowing some key basics. Iona says while acrylics are fun to use, new painters can wonder why what they are doing is not working – it can be discouraging. “I want them to get some joy out of it,” she says. Kate Jones of Wainui agrees that building confidence is key for new painters. As often happens, art took a back seat to other aspects of Kate’s life for many years, and the former university lecturer says when she started taking it more seriously, around six years ago, she was nervous about attending classes. “I had no idea about colour and thought I couldn’t draw, but had really good teachers at Estuary Arts, who built my confidence,” she says. “There are techniques that I learned from many workshops and courses –it’s not always totally intuitive. It can be a process of steps and there is a lot to learn – mixing colours, for example. I tried figuring it out at home, from books, but things go wrong and you end up painting over. Some of the videos on YouTube are good, but a class is invaluable for individual attention and learning.” She says doing things together is also more fun, and the classes will involve plenty of actual painting. Both Kate and Iona have exhibited and sold work through Estuary Arts in recent years. These courses are called Introduction to Acrylics and Colour Theory with Iona and Beginners Acrylics with Kate Jones. Info on all courses: estuaryarts.arlo.co/w/ courses

From left, Kate Jones and Iona Breinhorst