Previous demonstrations, workshops, and guided sessions
A spring inspired Meet and Create
At the end of April 2026, the Meet and Create evening proved to be a wonderfully creative and relaxed session.
Attendees worked in a variety of media, with some drawing inspiration from the seasonal flower arrangements thoughtfully provided by Kate Rundell, while others chose to develop their own reference material or ongoing pieces. It was an enjoyable and sociable evening, with plenty of ideas shared and creativity on display.
Acrylic workshop with Mark Fisher
In April 2026, members enjoyed a lively and hands-on 4 hour workshop with Mark Fisher, exploring a semi-abstract aerial view of the Thames through central London, taking in landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the City skyline. Working from a reference image of one of Mark’s own completed pieces, participants were encouraged to interpret rather than replicate, using acrylics to build bold compositions full of movement and contrast.
Mark’s approachable style and constant guidance made for an engaging session, with plenty of practical tips along the way. His willingness to step in and work directly with attendees helped build confidence and ensured that everyone left with a distinctive and personal response to the theme.
To read more about Mark see https://www.markfisherart.co.uk
Masterclass in landscape painting by Julie King
In early April 2026, watercolourist Julie King treated WOKAS members to an engaging masterclass in landscape painting. Her informal commentary offered valuable insight into her approach, from composition and colour mixing to the use of “wet on wet” and “wet on dry” techniques.
Members greatly enjoyed watching Julie develop a landscape step by step, and many left inspired to experiment with new colours and methods in their own work.
To read more about Julie visit https://juliehking.co.uk/
Demonstration by Hash Akib
Members of the Weald of Kent Art Society enjoyed a thoroughly engaging evening in March 2026 as Hash Akib gave a lively acrylic demonstration, transforming an urban street scene with confident brushwork and bold, expressive colour. It was fascinating to watch the painting evolve so quickly, full of energy and atmosphere.
If you weren’t there, you really missed a treat. For those keen to learn more about how he works, Hash has published five books, each offering a different and very accessible insight into his approach.
To read more about Hash see - https://www.hashimakib.co.uk/
Meet and Create led by Alison Chandler
This well-attended evening session in March 2026 in Highbury Hall, Tenterden, was led by WOKAS chair Alison Chandler, who began with an engaging introduction to colour theory. Using a range of artist examples, she explained ideas such as colour harmony and demonstrated how artists use the colour wheel when planning a painting.
Members then put these ideas into practice by working from a still life and a reference photograph, experimenting with complementary and analogous colour schemes using a variety of media. The session provided an enjoyable opportunity for everyone to explore colour relationships and different approaches to using colour in their work.
Alison leads the session
Alison leads the session
Lino Cutting Workshop with Kate Rundell
In late February 2026, members enjoyed an engaging introductory workshop on lino cutting led by Kate Rundell. The session began with an overview of tools, materials, and safety, before Kate demonstrated how to transfer a simple design onto the lino and begin cutting with confidence.
She explained how different blades create varied marks and textures, and how careful planning of positive and negative space is key to a successful print. It was fascinating to see how even straightforward designs could produce striking results once inked and pressed onto paper. Kate also shared some of her tips for lino cutting success.
Members then had the opportunity to create and print their own small lino blocks, experimenting with line, pattern, and contrast. The atmosphere was focused but relaxed, with plenty of shared discoveries and mutual encouragement along the way.
It was an enjoyable and informative introduction to a versatile printmaking technique, leaving many inspired to continue exploring lino cutting at home.
Examples of Kate's work can be seen at https://katerundell.uk/
Sketching Buildings and Landscapes with Victoria Wainwright
We were delighted to welcome Victoria Wainwright for a lively and inspiring workshop exploring the art of sketching buildings and landscapes. Victoria, an artist and illustrator known for her distinctive inky black-and-white drawings combined with watercolour, guided members through techniques for creating dynamic, expressive lines and using colour palettes to suggest atmosphere and mood.
The session focused on building confidence in sketching — encouraging participants of all levels to loosen up, simplify forms, and capture the character of a place rather than every architectural detail. As part of the study of buildings, Victoria also led a particularly helpful perspective session, clearly explaining how to identify vanishing points and judge scale and proportion. Many members found this practical guidance especially valuable.
Victoria demonstrated how fluid ink lines can bring movement and energy to a scene, before layering washes of colour to evoke light, weather, and emotional tone. It was an enjoyable and encouraging morning that left many inspired to keep sketching.
Examples of Victoria's work can be seen at http://www.victoriawainwright.com/
Mixed media demonstration by professional artist Elaine Almond
A strong turnout of members and friends gathered at Highbury Hall in December 2025 for a lively mixed-media demonstration by Elaine Almond. Elaine introduced her approach to abstracting the landscape, talking through the themes that inspire her and the ways she develops an image from first observation to completed work.
She demonstrated a wide range of tools and techniques – from brushes and acrylic paints to more unconventional mark-making items such as twigs and feathers. Working live on canvas, Elaine described her creative choices as she painted, offering practical pointers along the way. Elaine also brought sketchbooks, finished pieces and a selection of prints, which gave a clear sense of how her ideas evolve. By the end of the evening she had produced two striking canvases, and the demonstration was warmly received by all who attended.
More about Elaine’s work can be found at https://www.elainealmondart.com/.
Oil painting demonstration by professional artist Adam de Ville
In October 2025, Adam de Ville treated WOKAS members to an engaging oil painting demonstration, creating a striking still life of a vase of flowers. As he worked, Adam shared his thoughts on colour, composition, and the importance of observation, all with warmth and humour.
It was fascinating to watch his painting evolve on the canvas and to hear how he captures both the beauty and the character of everyday subjects through his expressive style.
Hash Akib - Acrylics demo
In April 2025, Hash, who is known for his bold brushwork and vibrant colours, showcased his dynamic approach to capturing light, movement, and atmosphere.
It was fascinating to watch his painting evolve on the canvas and to hear how he captures both the beauty and the character of everyday subjects through his expressive style.
See Hash's web site https://www.hashimakib.co.uk/.
Watercolour demo with Brian Smith
In March 2024 WOKAS welcomed renowned artist Brian Smith - a fireball of energy as he swiftly painted not one, but five paintings in the two hours.
The audience were particularly impressed by the fact he did them all with no reference photos, only from intuition and memory. He draws on 30 years of experience as an advertising industry illustrator and a professional artist.
View Brian's work at https://www.briansmithartist.com.
Palette knife trees - guided session with Mark Fisher
In late February 2024, WOKAS met for a guided painting session with Mark Fisher, who showed us how to paint trees using a palette knife
It was a full house, and everyone crowded around Mark as he gave examples of the ways of using a palette knife - the pointy ends, the sharp edges, scratching, and using it flat for blurring.
Everyone then had a go while also putting their own stamp on it. Once again, although we were all painting the same image, the result was very individual - the paintings took the viewer to forests, a tree-lined tropical beach, the Australian outback, and even a tree-filled mountain scene.
Melanie Cambridge oil demo
In February 2023 full-time professional artist Melanie Cambridge treated WOKAS members to a demo using oils. It was, by all accounts, a thoroughly informative as well as entertaining session. Melanie, in her engaging manner, set out to create a beach scene with high rocks on a canvas washed with grey.
She made a point of the fact that with oils, you can change your mind, so one need not be afraid to make mistakes. She also showed that you do not have to be beholden to your original motif – the important thing is to make it work for the composition of your painting and to have an area of rest in the overall picture. Our members went away with lots of tips and ideas to try themselves.
Adrian Leppenwell watercolour demo
The early February 2023 watercolour demo with Adrian Leppenwell unfolded in front of a good turnout of WOKAS members.
Adrian has been painting for about 15 years and doesn’t like to take too long over a picture. He says his style is ‘a little bit on the loose side’, just loose enough to enjoy it. He tries to suggest rather than paint every detail.
For this demo he had chosen Bodiam Castle as the subject and as he was working the paper (Bockingford 140) he gave a most instructive running commentary. He limited himself to five colours – Burnt Umber, Ultramarine Blue, Light Red, Yellow Ochre and Hookers Green. Hookers Green proved a very versatile colour – by mixing it with Yellow Ochre or Burnt Umber Adrian produced many different hues of green.
