WORKSHOPS & DEMONSTRATIONS
As an artist there is always more to learn. That is why there will be variety of workshops available during the festival catering for beginners to more experienced painters.
These workshops have been scheduled to help the development of plein air painting and as such will be conducted outdoors on location with shade and shelter from possible rain. Materials lists will be issued to attendees closer to the festival. In addition to art supplies, please ensure you bring any other equipment to be comfortable outdoors. Eg. Broad brim hat, sunscreen, bug spray, water, a packed lunch and a fold up chair or picnic rug.
PLEASE NOTE: Workshops have been scheduled for the benefit of Capital Plein Air Attendees and are only available for purchase with a festival registration. You must be registered to attend the festival in order to attend a workshop. A Quick Draw Registration does not count as the full festival registration and therefore does not include access to registration for Festival Workshops.
Please read our Terms & Conditions before registration (again, you must be registered to attend the festival in order to attend a workshop)
SCOTT GELLATLY (USA)
2026 INTERNATIONAL FEATURED ARTIST
We are thrilled to announce Scott Gellatly as the featured artist for the 2026 festival!
An internationally recognised American artist and educator, Scott is celebrated for his expertise in landscape painting, colour theory, and his deep knowledge of artist materials and techniques. With a degree in painting and drawing from the University of Oregon, Scott has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and has built a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the art materials industry, including fifteen years as Product Manager for Gamblin Artists Colors.
Scott’s passion for sharing knowledge has taken him across the globe—lecturing on materials and techniques throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. Since 2020, he has been painting and teaching full time, leading workshops online and in-person across the United States, as well as international plein air painting workshops in Umbria, Italy and Rovinj, Croatia. He is the creator of the acclaimed course COLOR THEORY for PAINTERS.
A landscape painter at heart, Scott’s work has evolved toward greater abstraction, with emphasis on pure colour and gestural mark-making to evoke the essence of nature. His paintings are represented by Laura Vincent Design & Gallery in Portland, OR and Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison, WA.
Scott will share his wealth of knowledge throughout the festival with several inspiring sessions. On Saturday morning (Apr 25), he’ll present a plein air painting demonstration, followed by a demo and lecture on “Abstracting the Landscape” that evening. In addition, Scott will lead two intensive two-day workshops — Expressive Colour in Plein Air (Weekend 18–19 April), exploring strategic colour concepts to capture light and atmosphere, and Rhythms in Nature (22–23 April), focusing on visual repetition and compositional balance.
We can’t wait to see how he’s inspired by our unique Australian landscape.
Workshop Weekend (before the festival)
April 18-19, Strathnairn Arts, $450 per person
This two-day workshop will explore the fundamentals of plein air painting, with a focus on strategic colour concepts to capture the light, atmosphere and emotion of the landscape. Participants will paint at diverse locations while considering the formal aspects of painting – shape, colour, and edge. Scott will lead participants in plein air sessions, as well as colour lectures and exercises. This workshop is intended for painters working in oil or acrylic. Scott will be working with oils.
Held during the Pre-Festival Paint Out
Day 1 – April 22 at Cotter Bend
Day 2 – April 23 at Weston Park
$450 per person
Becoming in tune with the visual repetition within the natural world is a valuable means to bringing a sense of rhythm and compositional balance to your paintings. This plein air workshop will focus on how cultivating shape and colour connections fosters movement throughout your paintings. Scott will lead participants in plein air sessions, as well as demonstrations. This workshop is intended for painters working in all media. Scott will be working with gouache.
Fitters Workshop, Kingston
My paintings start with direct observation of the landscape. The abstraction comes from putting my landscape-based source material through the creative process. This lecture demonstration on Abstracting the Landscape details my artistic process – from information gathering, to compositional refinement, to colour studies, which all inform my more abstracted studio works.
Free for all Registered Artists
Time and date to be confirmed.
WARWICK FULLER RETURNS!!
We are pleased to announce that Warwick will return to Capital Plein Air in 2026!
If you attended the festival in 2025 you will remember the stunning paintings he made throughout the pre-festival paint out and the fantastic demonstration at Government House.
Warwick is a landscape painter and Blue Mountains local, and has been a practicing artist for over 45 years. With a stellar exhibition history in Australia and London, his CV boasts innumerable accolades, including three assignments as Official Tour Artist with [then] HRH The Prince of Wales and a fourth in 2024 as King.
Warwick returns to CaPA as a judge for 2026 and will paint alongside us throughout the week. He will also conduct a free public painting demonstration during the festival. (timing TBA).
1 x DAY WORKSHOPS
(Held at the Pre-Festival Paint Out Locations)
These one-day workshops are led by some of Australia’s finest plein air painters—artists who participated in the 2025 Capital Plein Air Festival and created inspirational work throughout the week. Having already experienced Canberra’s autumn landscapes they return with intimate knowledge of the terrain and a passion for sharing their expertise. This is your opportunity to learn directly from accomplished professionals while immersed in a week-long painting event, giving you the perfect chance to absorb new techniques, refine your skills, and immediately put what you learn into practice across the festival’s diverse locations. Whether you’re working in watercolour, acrylic, oil, or pencil, these workshops offer hands-on guidance from artists who truly understand both the craft and the unique beauty of painting en plein air in the nation’s capital.
Watercolour Reimagined Monday 20th April, $180 per person
by Julie Simmons on location at Cuppacumbalong, Tharwa
Julie brings decades of experience working across multiple media, with watercolour as her primary passion. Known for her expressive approach to landscape and her adventurous spirit—spending much of her time travelling in her trusty campervan ‘Clarice’ sketching and painting around the country—Julie’s work captures the essence of the Australian landscape with freshness and vitality. In this hands-on workshop, Julie will share her techniques for capturing light, atmosphere, and emotion in watercolour while painting on location. Whether you’re new to plein air watercolour or looking to refine your approach, Julie’s encouraging teaching style and wealth of knowledge will help you reimagine the possibilities of painting outdoors with this beautiful medium.
Plein Air Acrylic Painting Monday 20th April, $180 per person
by Linda MacAulay on location at Cuppacumbalong
With an art career spanning many decades—including exhibiting, teaching, residencies, awards, publications, and sales—Linda brings a wealth of experience and creative energy to her teaching. Having worked as Artist in Residence at Uluru for many years, Linda’s large-scale acrylic canvases reflect her deep connection to the Australian landscape and her humorous approach to life. Known for her passion for experimenting with art techniques and materials, Linda loves to share her creative discoveries with fellow artists.
www.lindamacaulay.com.au
Plein Air Oil Painting Wednesday 22nd April, $180 per person
by Kasey Sealy on location at Cotter Bend
Kasey brings over 45 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to this hands-on session. The day begins with a comprehensive morning demonstration where Kasey will explain all aspects of plein air oil painting—from selecting your subject and understanding light, to composition, colour mixing, and technique. Participants will then create their own plein air oil painting while Kasey provides personalised guidance and feedback throughout the session. Kasey offers an encouraging and insightful learning environment for artists looking to develop their outdoor oil painting skills.
Plein Air Pencil Drawing Thursday 23rd April, $180 per person
by John Haycraft on location at Weston Park
Composition, drawing and tonal values are the fundamental building blocks of figurative painting. Get these right and you’re well on your way to completing successful paintings. Colour is the last thing you have to think about. John’s workshop will show you how to use thumbnails to decide where your picture is, create a focal point in the
composition, and help you decide on the tonal values for your painting.
One of the hardest lessons an artist has to learn is to leave detail
out. John will demonstrate contour drawing, distilling the scene
to its simple areas and shapes and getting the proportions and
perspective right before picking up the brushes.
INQUIRIES TO TEACH WORKSHOPS
At this time, our teaching schedule for the upcoming festival is fully booked. We’ve deliberately chosen to limit the number of workshops offered to ensure they compliment the broader goals of the event. While workshops are a valuable component, the true heart of the festival lies in creating a space where artists can come together to paint, connect with like-minded creatives, and compete alongside some of Australia’s finest outdoor painters for awards.
We encourage skilled and high-profile artists from across the country to travel and participate in the festival, as it provides an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the camaraderie and creative spirit of the plein air community. Your involvement not only enriches the experience for everyone but also showcases your talents in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Please note that our lineup of workshop instructors is selected from participating artists of the previous year, as we aim to support and highlight those who actively contribute to the success and growth of the event. By participating, you may also have the opportunity to be considered as an instructor in future festivals.