UK WORKSHOPS
Vic offers a variety of teaching workshops in different mediums throughout the UK. Subjects vary from wildlife paintings and portraits, to seascapes, people, children and pets. With mediums in pastel, pencil, oil, acrylic and watercolour, there's something to suit everyone.
At this point in time, most of Vic's workshops and courses are run online via Zoom, This means people all over the world can attend from the safety and comfort of their own home.
Vic's workshops are suitable for complete beginners and advanced artists, and you will learn a great deal about the subject and medium you're working in.
The numbers attending his workshops are kept fairly small. This ensures everyone gets individual tuition and guidance throughout the day so they can learn a lot about the medium they're working in and achieve great results.
2025 WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Start date: Thursday 30th October 2025
Subject: Sketching and Painting Pachyderms
Medium: Graphite Pencil & Watercolour
Course length: 6 x 1.5-hour lessons (9 hours total)
Included in the workshop: All tuition, reference photo (emailed), feedback and recording of the course.
A workshop kit containing everything you need is available to purchase for £11.99
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced artists.
Location: Live via Zoom – invitation emailed after booking.
Time: 7.00pm-8:30pm GMT (Please be ready with your materials by 6.45pm)
Price: £99
4 PLACES AVAILABLE
A brand new, exciting course in which we'll be sketching and painting three iconic pachyderms in natural settings.
If you feel up for the challenge, and having some arty Thursday evening fun along the way, we are going to be creating three graphite and watercolour paintings celebrating those thick-skinned giants of Africa. As always, we will also learn about the animals we are painting in each lesson.
Why graphite and watercolour? Well, watercolour is without doubt a popular medium; but it can also be difficult to master. The pigment is easily reactivated once dry, making it trickier than acrylics or oils to glaze several layers.
For me, working with watercolours is made somewhat easier when painted over a sketch or detailed drawing, rather than directly onto a blank sheet of paper; once a mark has been made, it's very difficult to remove or paint over.
I personally find watercolours more fun to use this way – adding a few transparent layers over a sketch or drawing. This technique generally gives me more control over this otherwise hard to control medium, and has a more illustrative style.
In this course, each of our three subjects will be sketched and painted over two consecutive lessons: Lesson 1 – a fairly detailed sketch, and lesson 2 – adding watercolour over the sketch. As we have found in previous graphite and watercolour courses, this will take the pressure off trying to create a complete painting from sketch to finish in one lesson. Plus, you will then have a full week to make any corrections to your sketch or redraw it prior to painting.
Lesson 1 - Thursday 30th October - Hippopotamus Sketching
The hippopotamus, smallest of our gigantic trio, can sometimes appear to be relatively harmless, as far as African wildlife is concerned; but, in actual fact, it is one of the continent's most dangerous animals; a far cry from the tutu-wearing hippos of Disney's Fantasia.
Our hippopotamus will be doing what hippos generally like to do, apart from ballet dancing, and that is bathing in a river.
The lesson begins with some fairly basic shapes, lines and angles to help establish correct proportions. Once we are happy with the proportions, we can begin to refine the sketch, looking at details such as the facial features. This refinement process is important in sketching, as it helps us to get to know the subject bit by bit, rather than trying for the perfect image at the start.
Tonal values are always important, helping to create anatomical form, so we will focus on shading as much as the details, in this and the other two subjects.
Lesson 2 - Thursday 6th November - Hippopotamus Painting
The hippopotamus has an interesting colour scheme; purple-grey for the most part, with pink around the eyes and the underparts.
In a painting like this one, where the subject is in water, highlights become almost as important as the application of colour. The wet highlights on the hippo's skin will be created by stippling with white opaque watercolour.
This promises to be a fun and interesting painting.
Lesson 3 - Thursday13th November - Rhinoceros Sketching
The rhinoceros has a very interesting face for the wildlife artist.
Wrinkled skin is always more interesting to draw and paint than smooth, featureless skin, and rhinos do
have a lot of wrinkles!
In addition to all those wrinkles, the rhino has a highly recognisable head shape, if a little unusual. This, along with the skin texture, will be the main focus of our pencil sketch for this profile portrait of the second largest of our pachyderm group; not forgetting the all important tonal values of course.
Lesson 4 - Thursday 20th November - Rhinoceros Painting
The grey and brown glazes over the fairly detailed pencil sketch should present few issues this week. With that in mind, we can look at creating a blurred background in various shades of green, using the wet-on-wet technique.
The out of focus background (the 'bokeh' effect in photography) helps to create depth in a painting, pushing the rhino's head towards the viewer.
Lesson 5 - Thursday 27th November - Elephant Sketching
I think it's only fitting that we end this series on the world's largest land animal, the African bush elephant.
The African elephant is well-loved by most people – sadly, not all people – despite its unusual physiology. If ever there was a species that symbolises the vastness of the African landscape, the elephant has to be it.
This final painting will attempt to convey the power and size of the elephant, as well as the size and power
of the African landscape.
Our first lesson focusses on two important things; the shape and features of the elephant and strong tonal values; the aim being to create strong light and shadows against a stormy backdrop.
As a result of the overall composition, there will be considerably fewer details for us to sketch than in the previous two more close up subjects.
Lesson 6 - Thursday 4th December - Elephant Painting
Tonal and colour contrast between the grey stormy sky in the background and the brighter sunlit grasses of the foreground will be the first issue on this week's agenda.
The huge African sky will be created with various grey hues, tinted with purples and blues, using the wet-on-wet technique.
Once the background is dry, we will add a couple of glazes of brown and blue-grey over the elephant, being careful around the tusks of course.
Around the area of feet and lower legs, we will use paper towel to lift out some of the paint before it dries completely. This will suggest dust being kicked up as the elephant tramples the dry grass.
Any details such as eyes, wrinkles, stronger shadows that need bringing out again after the glazes are dry, can be finished off with the graphite pencil. This will, first of all, be easier and secondly, the graphite pencil will add some interesting textures to the painting.
The foreground grasses will be painted wet on dry, again lifting out any required dusty areas with the paper towel.
We will end the lesson and the series with tips on how to create rays of light in the storm-laden sky.
There is a kit available to accompany this course, which includes:
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2B graphite pencil
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kneadable eraser
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Set of 6 watercolours: burnt umber, Payne's grey (blue-grey), French ultramarine, cadmium yellow, cadmium red and titanium white.
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4 x A4 sheets of 300 gsm watercolour paper
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1 x sheet of cartridge paper, for testing colours
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Reference photos (3) emailed before the class and included in the kit
*** You will need a round watercolour brush. I generally use an SAA #6 'worker' brush, which is a good all rounder for painting both details and larger areas of colour, and some paper towel ***
** Kits are posted out approx. 1 week before the course starts **
PAINTING PACHYDERMS – 6 WEEK ZOOM COURSE
Book Painting Pachyderms Course
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2026 WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Start date: Thursday 8th January 2026
Subject: Sketching Wildlife in Winter
Medium: Graphite & White Pencil on Denim Blue Paper
Course length: 6 x 1.5-hour lessons (9 hours total)
Included in the workshop: All tuition, reference photo (emailed), feedback and can edited recording of the course.
A workshop kit containing everything you need is available to purchase for £12.99
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced artists.
Location: Live via Zoom – invitation emailed after booking.
Time: 7.00pm-8:30pm GMT (Please be ready with your materials by 6.45pm)
Price: £99
8 PLACES REMAINING
My Zoom courses have taken us on artistic journeys to many parts of the world, sketching a wide variety of fauna from land, sea and air and, occasionally, in different seasons.
In this course we will be sketching and learning about some of the animals that are adept at living in harsh winter conditions around the world.
Instead of the standard sketching technique (graphite on cartridge paper), we will be using an interesting and atmospheric combination of mediums to create cool, wintry sketches of our subjects using graphite pencil and white pencil on denim blue paper.
The advantage of using a toned paper when sketching or drawing, is that the mid-tones, which would normally be established with the graphite pencil, are already present; in this case a cool, wintry tone.
Then, of course, there is the bonus of being able to add strong highlights with a white pencil; the resulting image having more tonal values, depth and atmosphere than it would have on white paper.
Along the way, as we get to know the individual subjects through the sketching process, we will also learn something of their habitat, how they adapt, or have adapted to survive, even to thrive in winter.
After the course, you can discover and research even more winter wildlife to add to your collection of sketches; the more you practice, the more your sketching will improve!
Lesson 1 - Thursday 8th January - Polar Bear
The polar bear, perhaps nature's ultimate winter specialist, is able to survive in temperatures as low as -46 degrees Celsius. The blue paper we'll be using is ideal for creating soft, cool shadows in the polar bear's thick fur. This
means that most of this week's sketch will be created with the white pencil; only for a few darker details, such as the facial features, will we need the graphite pencil.
The addition of warm breath condensing in the cold air will certainly add atmosphere to the image.
Lesson 2 - Thursday 15th January - Reindeer
Reindeer and humans in the more northerly parts of the northern hemisphere have had a relationship for thousands of years. Reindeer are still semi-domesticated in parts of Scandinavia, Russia and Alaska, being economically
important to the indigenous people of these areas, as well as being of vital importance to Santa Claus, of course.
In this week's lesson, we will create an almost magical, wintry backlight, enhancing the reindeer's antlers, fur and strong head profile.
There will be more use of the graphite pencil this week, as we establish the fur texture, antlers and facial features.
Once again, adding that touch of cold breath will bring the sketch to life.
Lesson 3 - Thursday 22nd January - Mountain Hare
The mountain hare is one of the few species of mammals and birds that change colour for the winter season; an adaptation which helps to camouflage them from aerial predators in snow-covered mountainous regions.
Beneath the white fur, there are still elements of a hare that we might be more familiar with a little further
south.
Most of the details in this sketch will be created with the graphite pencil, namely the ears and facial
features. The white pencil will be used to highlight the fur and snow which, for the large part, will be cool blue shadows created by the colour of the paper.
Lesson 4 - Thursday 29th January - Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is the only owl that has mainly white plumage. Its habitat is extensive, from the arctic regions of North America eastward, across Europe and Asia.
This week's sketch is a portrait of a male snowy owl, which has much less patterning in the plumage than his female counterpart.
The eyes of the snowy owl are a vivid yellow, but here they will be blue, of course, but nonetheless bright and intense for such an efficient predator.
Once again, soft blue shadows and stronger white highlights will add depth to an otherwise almost pure white subject.
Lesson 5 - Thursday 5th February - Arctic Wolf
Arctic wolves are well-adapted to the extreme Arctic environment, with thick fur coats, padded paws for traction on ice, and smaller ears to minimize heat loss. They spend their entire lives north of the northern treeline, their white fur helping them to blend into their snowy surroundings.
This week's focus is on fur and features. The fur texture will be created using a semi-scribble technique except for the more controlled highlights.
The eyes, nose and mouth stand out sharply against the white fur, so it's important to ensure they are balanced, as well as dark, by using simple geometry – circles and triangles.
If, like me, you love wolves, then this one will definitely be a 'cool' sketch for your collection.
Lesson 6 - Thursday 12th February - Giant Panda
Giant pandas often frolic in the snow, demonstrating their ability to enjoy and thrive in winter conditions, and can be found navigating their way through snow-covered bamboo forests.
The giant panda's fur not only offers insulation, but the black and white pattern also acts as excellent camouflage in both snowy and shady environments.
Our final wintry sketch is mostly about shapes; the shape and proportions of the panda, perched high on a rocky outcrop, and the shapes created by the black and white segments.
With relatively little in the way of details to think about, we can concentrate on the textures of the fur and the rock, as well as balancing dark and light against the mid-tone of the blue paper. After this, our final sketch, we can all sit back and enjoy the view!
There is a kit available to accompany this course, which includes:
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2B graphite Pencil
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White Pencil
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kneadable eraser
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6 x A4 250gsm Clairefontaine Denim Blue Paper
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Reference photos (6) emailed before the class and included in the kit
** Kits are posted out approx. 1 week before the course starts **
Sketching Wildlife in Winter – 6 Week Zoom Course
Book Sketching Wildlife in Winter Course
Order Wildlife in Winter
Course Kit
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MORE WORKSHOPS AND COURSES COMING SOON...
Saturday 25th April 2020
Subject: Lion
Medium: Pastel on Velour
Length: 1-day
Included in the workshop: All materials, light refreshments, all tuition.
Suitable for: Beginners & Advanced Artists.
Location: Big Cat Sanctuary, Headcorn Road, Smarden, Ashford, Kent. TN27 8PJ
Times: 10am-4pm (arrive 9.30am)
Price: £120
2 PLACES REMAINING
Something new for me and hopefully for you, for the first of my Big Cat Sanctuary workshops in 2020; a full colour lion portrait in pastels on black velour.
The subject of this workshop is the handsome African lion, Kasanga, who you will get to meet and take your own reference photos, like this one, on the morning of the workshop.
The use of black velour gives much more depth of tone than other colours, such as the sand-coloured velour, as well as allowing you to create dramatic highlights that can give an otherwise ‘standard’ portrait much more atmosphere.
Whether you are an experienced artist or a beginner, Vic will guide you step by step through the process of painting with pastels on velour; how to create fur texture, realistic eyes, all important highlights and, of course, the special techniques required when using black velour.
As always, the big cat/art experience begins with a guided photography tour, starting at around 10am. This is a unique opportunity to gather your own reference photos of wide variety of big and wild cats at very close quarters for future use in your artworks.
The tour finishes at lunchtime, during which you are free to visit the on-site shop for souvenirs and enjoy your lunch under the watchful gaze of mountain lions and the famous ‘Maya’, whose enclosure is next to where we will be working.
The workshop itself begins after lunch and ends at around 4pm, after which you are free to admire and take more photographs of the beautiful Maya in the late afternoon light before leaving for home.
All materials and light refreshments provided. Please bring your lunch, an easel (table or standing) if you need one, and sensible shoes for walking around the enclosures (no sandals or flip flops please). And don't forget your camera!
The day will begin at 10am promptly, so please try to arrive around 9:30am.
For every booking, we donate £50 to the Big Cat Sanctuary. These funds help the sanctuary with upkeep and conservation projects.
LIVE ZOOM COURSE - PORTRAIT IN OILS
BIG CAT SANCTUARY LION WORKSHOP
Stating date: Thursday 7th January 2021
Subject: Portrait
Medium: Oils on canvas
Course length: 4 x 1 1/2 hour classes
Included in the workshop: All Tuition, Reference Photo (emailed), Recording of the Workshop.
Other Info: The portrait course kit is available to order in advance for this workshop
Suitable for: Beginners & Advanced Artists.
Location: Live via Zoom - Instructions sent after booking
Time: 7pm-8.30pm (Please be ready with your materials by 6.45pm)
Price: £60
COURSE STARTED
‘Portrait in oils’ is a complete course aimed at artists who want to learn or improve their oil painting skills.
Each lesson will focus on a particular stage in the oil painting process, using the techniques that I have used myself for many years.
Lesson 1 – Underpainting part 1
(7th January 2021)
We begin the course with probably the most important stage in any painting, a burnt umber underpainting, using the dry brush technique.
Once completed, the underpainting acts as a tonal foundation for subsequent layers, giving both basic details and all important tones to create form.
Lesson 2 – Underpainting part 2
(14th January 2021)
Once the burnt umber underpainting is dry, which will be just a few days, we can begin to create more subtle mid tones and key highlights.
This will be achieved by using varied mixes of burnt umber and titanium white, thinned slightly with linseed oil for easier control and flow.
Note: There will be a two week gap before the next lesson to ensure that the whole underpainting is completely dry before lesson three
Lesson 3 – Glazing
(28th January 2021)
Once the underpainting is completely dry, we can begin to add colour in the form of transparent glazes, a traditional oil painting technique.
Using the additional colours of cadmium red, yellow ochre and French ultramarine, thinned with linseed oil, we will ‘tint’ the underpainting with various colour mixes to create skin tones, and background.
Lesson 4 – Final details
(4th February 2021)
Using the rigger brush and thinned mixes of burnt umber, French ultramarine and titanium white, we will refine the portrait with finer details in the hair, eyes, nose and mouth, adding a few finishing highlights here and there.
Please note, the course is £60 per person, however, if more than one person is using the same Zoom connection, then the fee covers all participants from the same household.
MATERIALS
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290gm oil painting paper (14x10 inches)
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#6 oil/acrylic round brush
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Watercolour rigger brush
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Oil paints: Burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, French ultramarine
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Linseed oil.
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Reference photo (emailed upon booking)
A kit is available for this course, which contains all the materials you'll need to complete the oil painting. Please take into account delivery times when ordering the kit. This kit is posted in a large postal tube.
The great things about Vic's Zoom classes is that you also receive a recording after each class/workshop. So, if you cannot attend one of the lessons, or would just like to re-watch the tutorial, you have the recording to watch as often as you like.