Contemporary Botanicals in Watercolour

Newcastle • March 07, 2026 • 2 Days

Join Natalie Martin for a fun weekend of learning the joys of free and flowing contemporary botanical watercolour painting.  Best suited for beginners, we will cover a broad range of basics so that you can feel confident in approaching your botanical subjects.


Teacher

Natalie Martin

Natalie Martin is an artist and graphic designer based on the Surf Coast, Victoria. She likes to get her hands dirty and bring a little joy (and colour!) to the every day. Outdoors with two feet on...
Natalie Martin Profile
Natalie Martin

Materials Included

Micador for Artists Brilliant Watercolour discs 24 pack. You can get these from Officeworks for around $25-$40

An A4 pad of watercolour paper. Natalie suggests Canson Montval 300gsm Watercolour Paper

1 full sheet of 300gsm cold-pressed/medium watercolour paper 56x76cm

Round Taklon brushes in sizes 4 or 6 and 10 or 12

HB or 2B pencil

Eraser

Water jar/container

Paint palette

Paper towel or tissues

You may bring your own watercolour paints however you may not achieve the same result.

Note: Natalie has a painting kit available on her website that has almost everything you need. The only extra things you would need to pick up are the full sheet of paper, palette, water container and paper towel. If you need to obtain all the items, this would probably be easiest. 

https://nataliemartin.com.au/collections/painting-kits/products/watercolour-painting-kit

Note: Natalie prefers to work from fresh native loose flowers and foliage so if you have any in your garden, please bring some along.  Examples are: loose banksia, sunflowers, bird of paradise and tibouchina. 

Location

7 Hudson St, Hamilton, Newcastle
Hudson St Hum

Over two full days we progress through a series of skills and techniques working towards painting beautiful loose flowers and foliage.  We'll look at getting the paint moving fluidly on the page, how to hold your brush, manage water control, relax into the process - seemingly simple things that contribute to better outcomes.

We will be interpreting and painting flowers from real life and discuss the advantages of using this technique. Natalie’s aim is for you to have one or two finished works to take home, but more importantly a new set of skills and a great understanding of watercolour so you can continue practicing at home.

WHAT WE WILL COVER

  • Learning about materials: brushes, paints and paper
  • Colour mixing
  • Brush control
  • Watercolour tips, tricks and techniques
  • Observing and drawing flowers from real cuttings
  • Setting yourself up at home

LOCATION

Hudson St Hum, 7 Hudson St, Hamilton NEWCASTLE

The workshop space is wheelchair friendly.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Please note that Artable does not provide refunds for workshops under any circumstances. If you provide more than 7 days notice, you can apply for a credit to another workshop. Check our refunds page for further details and COVID-19 related policies.

Please note that if a workshop is sold out a sold out sign will appear on the listing and you will be unable to book in. If a workshop does not have the number or spots that you require, a note will pop up saying 'out of stock'.

LUNCH

There is a great coffee shop across the street and several other options a quick drive away.  There is a fridge on site if you'd prefer to bring your own.

PARKING

There is street parking available.  

IMPORTANT NOTE

From time to time, we have to cancel workshops for reasons well outside of our control.  We try very hard to limit this.  Artable will give you a confirmation 21 days in advance.  Please make sure that you book accommodation that is flexible if you are travelling to us and we recommend travel insurance.

Location:

Hudson St Hum, 7 Hudson St, Hamilton NEWCASTLE