Simplifying and Loosening Up with Watercolours

Date: Saturday, October 31st, 2026 

Time: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM (PDT)

Location: Federation Academy on Granville Island, 1310 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S1 

SUITABLE FOR BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS

Workshop Overview:

Learn how to simplify your painting process while creating expressive, unified works full of life and atmosphere. Beginning with a strong design plan before the first brushstroke, you'll explore techniques such as underpainting, wet-on-wet application, pouring, and working with a limited palette to build harmony, loosen your approach, and embrace unexpected "happy accidents."

Through purposeful brushwork, you'll discover how to suggest form and detail without overworking your paintings, allowing viewers to engage with and complete the visual story. You'll also develop one of the most valuable artistic skills—knowing when a painting is finished. Working from carefully selected reference photos, you'll complete several paintings while applying these principles in a supportive, demonstration-based environment.

About the Instructor - Tim Bennison, AFCA 

Tim has been painting watercolours for 40 years. He lives in North Vancouver and his subject matter ranges from landscapes and architecture to portraits. He loves the challenge of watercolours, using the light and transparency of the medium to capture a moment in time.

Often capturing scenes from various locations on the North Shore and BC, Tim’s paintings tell stories via the influence of people on the landscape. 

Tim has had many exhibitions over the years, including the Harmony Arts Festivalsince 2015, North Van Art in the Garden2017, West Van City Hall Art in the Hall2018, North Van Arts Crawl since 2019, The West Fine Arts Show 2019, and solo exhibitions at the Hollyburn Eye Clinic in 2019 and 2025. He had an ongoing exhibition (2020-2021) in the BlueShore Financial Arts in View program and show at the Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver (2022). His paintings have been juried into many recent Federation of Canadian Artists Exhibitions at the FCA Gallery on Granville Island. His work has been featured in North Van Arts “You are Here” Calendars for 2020-2025 and in several issues of the Art of Watercolour magazine.

Tim is an Associate member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. He has taught several online and in-person watercolour workshops in association with the FCA. He has also given many workshops at local artist guilds all over the Lower Mainland.

Website: www.timbennison.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_bennison/

Student Testimonials:

• "Tim was amazing! He provided such great information and gave assignments based on what we learned." 

• "I would like to deeply thank Tim for the thoughtful way he presented new  information. For reviewing each previous class before showing/demonstrating new material. He's critiquing was thoughtfully presented that I looked forward to having my artwork evaluated. First time ever! Tim is a wonderful communicator and an amazing artist."