Click here, 2024-25 for workshops now open for registration!

“ It is not  how far we travel that is important ,  but  the quality of the seeing through out the journey.”

To complement my life as a painter , I have been teaching watercolour and drawing as well as conducting workshops to prestigious art organizations, expedition tours and local art clubs part time for 25 years.  It has been so rewarding to share my experience, way of seeing and technical ability to help  advanced artists and beginners elevate their awareness and  artistic confidence.

 Most of the year I am either painting on location or in the studio working on a body of work. However I do still book several workshops a year including Virtual Online Workshops, Presentations, Demos and one on one online mentorship.

Online sessions include;

◦ Live entertaining  split screen demonstrations. Video treats of painting locations from around the world.

◦ An edited recap video to refer to after each session accessible by password on David’s Vimeo channel.

◦ Participant can upload their work for highlighted  critique sessions. Also informal critiques and walk around the virtual “room” for participants to share their work.

An internet connection, microphone and camera-enabled computer or smartphone is required. These classes will be delivered via the video conferencing app ZOOM. You do not require a ZOOM account to participate; the link to access the class will be sent to you in advance. 

If you or your organization is interested I would love to hear from you.

Also I often work as artist is residence for  adventure eco- cruise companies which is a great way to have art experience while on a adventure to the ends of the earth! I have taught hundred of folks over the years to draw polar bears or penguins.  Also  i have helped many photographers really understand and see composition as well as the colours of things. Please visit the workshop/ expedition  page for upcoming trips and workshops.

Mentorship and private critiques may be arranged.

Most workshop themes are customized to groups requests and location. Here are a few examples of things I like to share;

◦ Explore the magical flowing spontaneity and essential techniques of watercolour, “the travel friendly medium”.

◦ Discover painting as a form of meditation and “seeing”, allowing you to capture the moment with paper and brush.

◦                Learn perception exercises that help you paint directly from nature

◦                Enhance your way of “seeing” and connectedness to our environment

◦                Uncover the secret hydrodynamics of paint on paper

◦                Play with brush work manipulation of the “bead” to define form

◦                Learn to mix colours to create the colours you observe

◦                Discover techniques for achieving likeness and proportion

◦                Develop a visual vocabulary when painting from your imagination

◦                Tools, colours and materials are simplified for profound results with minimum equipment.

     Testimonials

“David is master of zoom art workshops- his studio set up for this is outstanding & of course he is so genuine & personable!” R.T, Toronto, Canada

“In my working career I travelled all over on the speech circuit and after retirement I taught communicationscreative writing and speaking at Humber College. Your visuals earn 100%, as does your intimate, so very relaxed and friendly delivery of the words. It was a pleasure to watch you perform your speaking magic. Congratulations. Indeed bravo. Do return soon so we can see the up-dated version. On top of all this you are simply a masterful artist. So I rest my case…. “W.O. Toronto, Canada 

“The David McEown Watercolour Workshop was a huge success according to the feedback from the sixteen participants.  The workshop began on Thursday evening with a well documented talk and slide presentation, "Sharing his passion and love of art and the natural world", to quote David's biography.  He then mesmerized his audience, made up of club members and non- members, by rendering in watercolour a magnificent landscape on a full sheet of his favourite "Saunders Watercolour paper".  Truly a treat to witness. 
     The following two days of the workshop, David put us all through our paces beginning with exercises in colour theory each morning,and then the group set to work with their own effort based on David's teaching.   Each day was supplemented with David painting and discussing very clearly his every stroke and use of colour for what ever mood he was painting. 
     David is a fine watercolourist who charmed us all with his wit, stories and talent.  He has painted in virtually every corner of this fine country.  He has opened our eyes-wider.  The Arbutus Ridge Art Club has been blessed in the past 3 years by having artists such as Robert Genn, Jack Reid, Pat Fischer, Grant Fuller and now David McEown, among others, to help guide our brushes in search of that perfection we all seek in ourselves.
(Rich Brown, Arbutus Ridge Art Club, Vancouver Island , British Columbia) “