LANDSCAPE CLASSES in SYDNEY with TONY JOHANSEN

Meet Tony Johansen, Your Passionate Landscape Art Teacher

I grew up on the land and have always retained my love for out door painting. My inspiration was always Leonardo da Vinci who always said to return to nature to learn and understand. My name is Tony Johansen, although these days I sign my paintings TonyJohansen.com. That is one of my landscape paintings on the left. It is called Rocks at North Maroubra.

That's me in the photo on the right. I have a traditional artist's garret William Street that is my base from which we draw and paint the incredibly diverse and beautiful inner city landscape.

My classes are for both beginners as well as more experienced artists, The teaching is classically based aimed at mastery over tone, colour and perspective. Most of my students use traditional drawing media, like pencils and charcoal, ink and watercolour, although I am happy to encourage other media.

It's a happy group that tends to swell in summer with the beautiful Sydney weather, and shrink in winter. Those who stay through the winter soon discover however, that we are very good at finding warm and inviting places even on the coldest and wettest of days. At those times we go into some of the magnificent Cathedrals in the city, or to railway stations or cafes. Like the Impressionists, we find beauty in the complete inner city experience.

In the summertime we have grand parks like the Botanic Gardens, and Sydney Harbour is just a short walk away. At times we have arranged to go out into the country or down the coast to special beaches. Always we have fun and manage to learn and develop skills with the true artist's passion.

You may use the 'email me' link in the left sidebar (under the photo of the El Alamein Fountain at Night) to contact me and join us for Saturday Landscape Classes.

Spring Is In The Air

The first class of September. I suppose habit made me distrust the weather at first, but as soon as we were outside I suggested we go to the Domain, it was so delightful and warm. It was a perfect day, full of that clean smell you get when the first leaves are appearing on the Plane trees.

We found a spot near St Mary's Cathedral, and just inhaled the feeling of a new season and new beginning.

I love landscape class in the spring.

A Favourite Subject: Archibald Fountain

There are many beautiful places within walking distance of the studio. The Archibald Fountain is always popular. Here a Canadian tourist who came to classes for a few weeks starts a watercolour memento before flying back to a cold Canadian winter, such a contrast with the glorious summer weather we were having at the time in Sydney.

A Warm Day In The Botanic Gardens

Today was actually hot in the sun, although perfect in the shade. It is only the second class of spring, but already it feels like summer. we walked down to the Botanic Gardens. What a beautiful neighbourhood we have here in this area.

The gardens are exquisite at this time of year, and everyone enjoyed it in their own way. George made thumbnail tonal sketches then attempted a watercolour. Antoinette drew people on benches and trees and a bird that visited her for a short while, and Thurl dealt well with the difficulties inherent in drawing trees (and succeeding).

A productive and enjoyable day for everyone.

Favourite Subjects #2: Sydney Opera House

These photos are from last summer. Most of the class was in the Botanic Gardens near the Opera House, drawing or doing watercolours of the Opera House sails through the trees. Irena however was seeking a coffee, so she started drawing in a harbourside cafe at the edge of Circular Quay. The result was the drawing of the day. It must have been the inspiration of the water so close that made her watercolour so wonderful.

Landscape Art Class in Stanley Street

The day dawned with showers and overcast yet by 10 o'clock the sun was out although the air was a little chilly. We headed down toward Stanley Street seeking a place that was out of the wind and pleasant for drawing. We needn't have worried, it was delightful sitting in the cafes and drawing the people as they relaxed and enjoyed the morning sunshine.

There are numerous outdoor cafes like this in this area and as can be seen by the name of this particular establishment, the atmosphere is welcoming to artists. As we sipped our coffees and hot chocolates, our little art class became just another part of the passing parade.

Beautiful Woolloomooloo Bay

Woolloomooloo somehow has never gained that place in the public imagination for beauty that many other places have. Yet locals have always enjoyed the little discoveries like layers of time worn orange rock, or reflections in quiet corners that make this a delightful place for artists to explore.

Today was the last day of third term. The bay seemed like a perfect place, and it could not have been more pleasant for sketching. It was a day of finding the repeated patterns of natural phenomena, like those beautiful orange rock strata, and the movement of water.

Next term starts on the 15th of October for landscape. I am looking forward to it already.