Senior Transition Art Classes – Ages 13+

Learning from the Masters

This term, students examine techniques from some of the most influential artists in history, whose works command millions at auction and are held in major museums worldwide. The focus is on understanding how these masters achieved realism, expression, structure, and impact, then applying those principles to create original artworks of their own.

Classes guide students through the artistic process: analysing key works, breaking down core techniques, and building a major term piece inspired by one selected master. Students draw from celebrated figures including:

• Leonardo da Vinci, known for precise realism, anatomical accuracy, and subtle blending (sfumato) that creates lifelike depth and form;
• Vincent van Gogh, whose bold, directional brushwork, thick impasto, and vibrant complementary colours convey emotion and movement;
• Amedeo Modigliani, with his elongated figures, simplified features, and elegant line work that emphasise emotional presence and harmony;
• Paul Cézanne, whose structured compositions, geometric forms, and layered brushstrokes build solid, balanced still lifes and landscapes.

Through structured lessons and guided practice, students develop technical control and confidence while adapting master principles to their own ideas. By the end of the term, each student completes a major original artwork in the style of their chosen master — a resolved piece suitable for portfolios, art school applications, exhibitions, or professional display. They also gain practical insight into how historical techniques inform contemporary visual practice, sharpening observation, decision-making, and refinement skills.

Skills Students Will Learn in the “Learn from the Masters” Term

• Observational Drawing & Accurate Rendering: Students practise precise proportion, form, and detail capture, inspired by da Vinci’s anatomical studies and layered construction methods, building foundational accuracy for realistic and stylized work.
• Expressive Brushwork & Impasto Techniques: Drawing from van Gogh’s directional strokes and thick texture, students experiment with mark-making to convey energy, mood, and surface quality.
• Stylized Form & Figure Composition: Influenced by Modigliani’s elongated proportions and simplified features, students learn to distort and refine shapes for emotional impact while maintaining balance and elegance.
• Structural Composition & Geometric Planning: Inspired by Cézanne’s use of cylinders, spheres, and cubes in still life, students plan focal points, manage space, and use overlapping forms to create depth and unity.
• Colour Theory & Application: Students explore complementary contrasts (van Gogh), harmonious palettes, and blending transitions (da Vinci), applying colour to enhance mood, light, and visual rhythm.
• Full Project Execution & Iteration: Students create thumbnails, value studies, underpaintings, and layered refinements, managing the process from concept to finished canvas — developing resilience, planning, and critical refinement.

By engaging directly with these masters’ techniques, students acquire advanced technical proficiency and visual discernment that extend beyond the studio — sharpening perception, creative adaptation, and aesthetic judgment valuable for illustration, graphic design, animation, concept art, or any visually demanding career or academic path.

Art classes for kids are available in studios in Hornsby, Baulkham Hills & Epping.
Each term the classes start on the same starting week as NSW Public School Term dates
Classes run for 9 consecutive weeks.
(For classes that fall on a NSW public holidays an additional week will be added to ensure that students receive a total of 9 classes)

Terms of Service – Art Classes

Please review our Terms of Service at https://sydneyartschool.com.au/about-us/terms-and-conditions

Trial Classes and Enrolment for Kids Art Classes

We understand many families are interested in trial classes for our kids art classes and children’s art programs before enrolling. However, due to the high demand for our art classes for kids in Sydney, we are not able to offer trial classes. This is not about the cost but simply about the limited space available.

Many parents choose to secure their child’s spot by paying for the full year of children’s art lessons in advance. Along with returning students who continue with their art studies term after term, our classes often fill quickly—well before each term begins.

To help you plan ahead, we usually advertise a reminder that enrolments for the next term of kids art classes are open around two weeks before the term starts. We strongly recommend enrolling early to avoid missing out, as places are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any questions about our art courses for children, enrolment options, or how our creative kids art classes work, please feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you find the right art program for your child.

Make-Up Class Policy for Kids Art Classes

We understand that sometimes children may need to miss a class in our kids art programs due to illness or other commitments. While we always do our best to help, please note that due to high demand and limited studio capacity, our policy is that we do not guarantee a make-up class will be available.

Space in our children’s art classes is very limited, as many families enrol for the full year to secure their place, and our classes often fill completely before the term begins. For this reason, make-up classes can only be offered if another student is absent and a space becomes available on another day or time.

If your child needs to miss a class and you would like to request a make-up session, please:

Email us with the subject line:  Make-Up Class Request [Student’s Name]

Include:

• The students name
• The current class and studio location
• The date of the missed class
• The reason for the missed class

We will review your request and let you know if a suitable make-up option becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep our art classes for kids running smoothly for everyone.