UP NEXT

Rachel Sermanni at Birnam Arts
Wed 26 Aug
Rachel Sermanni | Beatrix Potter Garden
18:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 18:00

Buy Tickets >

What's on by date

What's on by genre

What's on by date Range

<
August 2026
>
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

Pick Date Range

Jonathan

Landscape painting demo and workshop with Jonathan Mitchell

15 August 2026

 

 

 

Painting Workshop Schedule

Suitable for all abilities – whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or you’re a more experienced painter looking to develop your skills.

Medium: Acrylic + oil paint 

10:00–11:00 – Welcome & Painting Demonstration (Gallery Area)
We’ll begin with introductions, followed by a live painting demonstration, where I’ll talk through my approach and techniques while answering questions.

11:00–12:30 – Introduction to Painting (Visual Arts Studio)

During the morning session we’ll focus on the foundations of painting:
1. Drawing with Paint & Brush – Developing drawing skills using the brush through careful observation of the chosen reference material.
2. Blocking In – Learning to identify the main shapes and tonal values, establishing a strong structure for the painting.

12:30–1:00 – Lunch

1:00–4:00 – Developing the Painting

Building on the morning’s work, we’ll explore:
1. Introducing Colour – Understanding colour relationships and beginning to establish atmosphere.
2. Building the Surface – Developing the painting through successive layers of paint.
3. Adding Detail – Using carefully observed details to bring the painting to life and create a convincing interpretation of the chosen scene.

4:00 – Group Review

We’ll finish with an informal group discussion of everyone’s work. I’ll highlight the strengths of each painting, offer constructive suggestions for future development, and aim to send everyone home feeling encouraged, inspired, and with new ideas to take into their own painting practice.

Please feel free to come and go as you see fit or if you need to leave earlier. 

All materials provided, you are welcome to bring your own oils or acrylics

What to bring:

A reference image of your choice, or send to visualarts@birnamarts.com to get printed for the day. 

 

 

Scottish contemporary artist Jonathan Mitchell 


Since graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, in 1990, Jonathan Mitchell has developed a considerable reputation as a painter of the Scottish landscape with his work collected by patrons both in the UK and internationally.


Primarily working in oils, his painting is firmly within the Northern European tradition;both detailed and atmospheric. Mitchell says of his work;


"I am very much a realist artist. My work derives directly from things and places as I have found them. I try to evoke a sense of place and to communicate to the viewer what it felt like to be there; how cold or warm it was, how it felt underfoot and even what smells and sounds were there. And of course light-how the Scottish landscape looks when bathed in sunlight".

 

Jonathan Mitchell, Scottish Contemporary Artist

Planning Your Visit

Links to our Cafe, opening times and directions.

Visitor Information >

Image Gallery

MORE
Jonathan
Jonathan
Jonathan
Jonathan

Other Events This Month

MORE
Every third Tuesday

Knitting and Fibre Arts Club

Arts Workshop   |   Studios   |   19:00 - 21:00
Knitting and Fibre Arts Club at Birnam Arts
Every Tuesday

Handbuilding with

Arts Workshop   |   Studios   |   10:00 - 14:00
Handbuilding with Shona Leitch at Birnam Arts
Every Wednesday

Handbuilding with

Arts Workshop   |   Studios   |   10:00 - 14:00
Handbuilding with Shona Leitch at Birnam Arts
Sat 29 Aug 2026

Introduction to Lino cut workshop

Arts Workshop   |   Studios   |   10:30 - 15:30
Introduction to Lino Cut Workshop with Lisa Speirs-Fleming at Birnam Arts
Map showing Birnam Arts and conference centre in Scotland

Opening Times

Box Office
Open periodically throughout the week | Book online 24/7


Cafe
Daily | 10 - 4



Birnam Arts
Station Road
Birnam Dunkeld
PH8 0DS
admin@birnamarts.com
Tel: 01350 727 674

Reading Room

Star Star Star Star Star

I have enjoyed taking part in events such as Scots Opera before we came to live in the area. Since then we have enjoyed both attending events and the splendid cafe In the foyer. It is a brilliant example of a local/regional community arts initiative and must not be allowed to falter.

Christopher D Morris   |   Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020

Entrance

Welcome to Birnam Arts, a boutique multi-purpose arts, conferencing and entertainment venue.

Highlights

Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the free WiFi. Wander upstairs to view the latest of our monthly art exhibitions before visiting the world of Beatrix Potter, or the Gift Shop to purchase a special gift for your loved ones or yourself!

Star Star Star Star

Birnam Arts is at the heart of community life here.

Fiona Ritchie   |   Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020

Beatrix Potter Garden

Opening times

|

Star Star Star Star

Birnam Arts is at the heart of community life here.

Fiona Ritchie   |   Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020

  • Entrance

  • Kinnaird

  • Cafe

  • Beatrix Potter

  • Shop

  • Gallery

  • Studio