Exploring Acrylics
with Craig Penny
14–20 November 2027
5 days tuition | Acrylics | Landscape, Water, Seascapes & Architecture | All Levels
A lively five-day acrylic painting retreat with Craig Penny, exploring landscape, water, seascapes and architecture through colour, composition, confident brushwork and plenty of painting.
Residential retreat at Greenhills Art Centre, Western Australian Wheatbelt
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5 Days Tuition
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Acrylics
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Landscape, Water, Seascapes & Architecture
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All Levels
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12–14 Participants
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Residential Retreat
Exploring Acrylics
Bring a sense of humour.
Craig’s workshops are energetic, practical and designed to get you painting.
Over five immersive days, you’ll explore a variety of subjects including landscape, water in the landscape, seascapes and architecture, working step by step with Craig while developing a stronger understanding of composition, colour and the possibilities of acrylic paint.
Rather than spending the week working on one painting, Craig’s approach encourages you to paint often, experiment and respond quickly.
During the first four teaching days, participants will generally complete a main painting followed by a one-hour painting challenge, creating an energetic rhythm that helps build confidence and encourages a more instinctive approach.
The final day slows things down slightly, giving you time to revisit, resolve and refine work from earlier in the week — or begin another painting if you’re ready to keep going.
Craig remains in the studio throughout the day, teaching, guiding and helping participants with their individual work.
During the Retreat You’ll Explore
Landscape
Learn how to simplify a landscape, identify the important shapes and create a strong sense of place without becoming overwhelmed by unnecessary detail.
Water in the Landscape
Explore reflections, movement, colour and the relationship between water and its surroundings.
Seascapes
Work with the changing colours, atmosphere and movement associated with coastal subjects.
Architecture
Discover ways of incorporating buildings, streets and architectural elements while maintaining a loose, painterly approach.
Composition
Learn how to select, simplify and rearrange information from photographs to create a stronger painting rather than simply copying the reference.
Colour
Develop greater confidence choosing and combining colours while exploring the expressive possibilities of acrylic paint.
Brushwork & Mark Making
Craig encourages participants to experiment beyond traditional brushwork and to explore different tools, marks and ways of applying paint.
Painting with Confidence
Through demonstrations, step-by-step guidance and frequent painting, you’ll be encouraged to work more freely and trust your decisions.
Paint More. Think Less. Learn by Doing.
A significant part of Craig’s teaching approach is simply getting paint onto the canvas.
For the first four days, you’ll generally work on a larger main painting before moving into a shorter one-hour painting challenge.
These quicker paintings encourage you to simplify, make decisions and avoid becoming overly precious about the work.
You’ll have opportunities to explore different subject matter throughout the week, with images supplied by Craig as well as the option to bring photographs of your own.
Day Five — Resolve, Refine & Keep Painting
The final day is still a full teaching day, but it has a slightly different rhythm.
Some participants may want extra time to complete or resolve paintings from earlier in the week.
Others may be ready to start something completely new.
Craig will remain in the studio throughout the day, offering individual guidance, feedback and help wherever it is needed.
It is an opportunity to consolidate what you’ve learned during the retreat and finish the week with paintings you feel more confident about.
Your Retreat Schedule
Sunday 14 November
Arrive from 4pm
Settle into your room, explore Greenhills and meet Craig and your fellow participants before a relaxed welcome dinner.
Monday 15 November
Workshop Day One
Acrylic painting, demonstrations and your first main painting and painting challenge.
Tuesday 16 November
Workshop Day Two
Continue exploring composition, colour and different subject matter.
Wednesday 17 November
Workshop Day Three
Further demonstrations, painting and individual guidance with Craig.
Thursday 18 November
Workshop Day Four
Continue developing confidence, technique and a more instinctive approach to acrylic painting.
Friday 19 November
Workshop Day Five — Resolve, Refine & Keep Painting
The final teaching day gives participants time to consolidate the week’s work with Craig still in the studio providing guidance and feedback. You can use the day to finish or refine paintings from earlier in the retreat, resolve areas that need more attention, or begin another painting if you’re ready to keep working.
Friday Evening — Dinner at Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill
On Friday evening, we'll head to nearby Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm for a relaxed final dinner together.
Friday dinner and drinks are not included in the retreat price and are paid directly by guests at the restaurant.
Saturday 20 November
Breakfast together before departure.
About Craig Penny
Craig studied art at Federation University, where painting and graphic design became the main focus of his work.
He went on to develop a successful career as an illustrator within the advertising industry and became a member of the Illustrators Association of Australia.
Craig’s career later expanded into computer graphics and teaching. He taught traditional drawing and illustration at both Victoria University and Swinburne University, while continuing to develop his own painting practice.
Despite working across many different areas of visual communication, Craig never lost his love of traditional painting methods.
Today he specialises in watercolour and acrylic painting and has developed a successful career as a professional artist and teacher.
Craig’s Approach to Painting
Craig describes painting as something that doesn’t always need to be controlled.
For him, skill and knowledge provide the foundations — but once those are in place, the artist needs to allow the painting to develop.
His workshops reflect that philosophy.
You’ll learn techniques and principles, but you’ll also be encouraged to experiment, respond to what is happening on the canvas and allow a little unpredictability into the process.
Meet Craig
Hear Craig talk about his painting practice, his approach to acrylics and watercolour, and the ideas behind his energetic, expressive teaching style.
Follow Craig
Keep up with Craig's paintings, exhibitions and studio practice:
Instagram | Facebook | Website
The Greenhills Experience — More than a Workshopp
This particular retreat is especially suited to Greenhills.
During the week you’ll be able to step out into the surrounding Wheatbelt landscape and then return to a spacious studio where you can develop those observations without the interruptions of everyday life.
There is no need to drive home, prepare meals or pack away your painting materials at the end of each day.
Instead, your week can revolve around looking, thinking, painting, discussing art and spending time with other practising artists.
Meals are shared around the table, conversations continue beyond formal teaching hours, and the studio remains part of your experience throughout the retreat. On Friday evening, we'll head to nearby Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm for dinner together.
It is time to paint, experiment, try different approaches and build confidence through doing.
Your retreat:
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six nights private accommodation at Greenhills
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five full days tuition with Craig Penny
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all meals and refreshments at Greenhills, except Friday dinner
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morning and afternoon tea
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welcome dinner on arrival
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studio access throughout your stay
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painting demonstrations
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individual guidance and feedback
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reference images supplied by Craig
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linen and towels
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airport transfers where applicable
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12–14 participants.
On Friday evening, the group will dine at Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm. Friday dinner and drinks are at guests' own expense.
Who Should Attend?
This retreat is suitable for all levels.
You may already paint regularly in acrylics, or you may simply want to become more confident with the medium.
Craig’s structured demonstrations and step-by-step approach provide plenty of support, while more experienced painters can use the week to loosen up, experiment and develop their own response to the subjects.
The retreat will particularly suit painters who enjoy:
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landscape
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water and reflections
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seascapes
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architecture
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colour
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expressive acrylic painting
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and learning through plenty of practical studio time.
Materials
Craig has supplied a suggested materials list for the retreat.
Participants will need acrylic paints, brushes, palettes, canvases and general painting equipment.
Craig will also supply images to paint from, although participants are welcome to bring photographs of subjects they would particularly like to explore.
A complete materials list will be provided after booking.
Your retreat
$2,980 per person — private room
Price includes GST.
Your retreat includes six nights private accommodation, five full days tuition with Craig, all meals and refreshments at Greenhills except Friday dinner, and studio access throughout your stay.
A 20% deposit secures your place. The full balance is due eight weeks before the retreat. Monthly payment plans are available by prior arrangement.
Coming with a friend?
Save 10% each when sharing one of our limited twin rooms, subject to availability.
Twin Share — $2,682 per person
Independent Stay
For participants who live locally or prefer to arrange their own nearby accommodation, a limited number of Independent Stay places are available, subject to availability.
You'll still join us for tuition, meals and refreshments at Greenhills, studio access and the social side of the retreat — you simply arrange your own accommodation or bring an approved self-contained caravan or motorhome.
Independent Stay — $2,260 per person
Price includes GST.
Friday dinner and drinks at Lake Kimberley Bar & Grill at Whitegum Farm are at guests' own expense for all accommodation options.
Five Days to Explore Acrylics
Five days of painting.
Different subjects.
Main paintings and quick challenges.
Time to experiment, revisit work and learn how to resolve a painting rather than simply move on to the next one.
And throughout it all, Craig will be there in the studio — demonstrating, teaching, guiding and encouraging you to keep painting.
14–20 November 2027
5 days tuition | Acrylics | All Levels
Book Your Greenhills Retreat
Complete the form below and we'll send your deposit invoice to secure your place.