Flowers in Mixed Media
with
Áine Devine
6th & 7th September 2025
10am to 5pm
€375
Workshop Overview
In this dynamic floral still life workshop, participants will explore expressive approaches to painting using acrylic, collage, ink, and pastels. Through guided demonstrations and individual experimentation, Áine encourages a playful and intuitive response to the subject matter.
The focus is on capturing the energy and liveliness of the still life set-up using loose, expressive marks. Participants will learn how to break down visual information into simple shapes, working with rags and large brushes to apply swift, gestural strokes. Techniques such as scumbling, layering dry paint, and splashing with wet paint help ease the way into a fluid and enjoyable painting process.
Collage will also be introduced as a vibrant addition to the work, offering new possibilities for colour, pattern and texture. The inclusion of ink and pastels adds further variety and vitality to the surface.
Áine provides regular demonstrations throughout the workshop, sharing how she combines materials in a spontaneous and effective way. The emphasis is on attentiveness to the subject and embracing a spirit of experimentation.
Participants are welcome to bring any art materials they may already have —such as acrylic or alcohol inks, oil or chalk pastels, but all essential materials will be provided, so there is no need to purchase anything in advance.
Mixed Media Equipment List
Acrylic Paint in these colours
Hookers green
Sap green
Lemon yellow
Cadmium red
Crimson
Ultramarine blue
Cerulean blue
White
Vandyke brown (or burnt umber)
Any Violet or Purple
Yellow ochre (optional)
Other Supplies
A tear off palette for acrylic
Rags, masking tape and an old 1" or 2" flat bristle brush
Brush set – you may have plenty of brushes for acrylic, feel free to use your own. Here are the ones that Áine uses - Royal & Langnickel 12 longhandled Brush Value Pack. This is available from this on-line shop www.localartshop.co.uk/royal-langnickel-12-long-handle-brush-set-firm- burgundy-taklon-watercolour-acrylic-temera-set-14.html
Prepared card will be available to purchase at the workshop. You will use one or two sheets per day.
Class fee includes lunch on each day!
Accommodation available on campus - please contact us directly via email for more information and to book - info@mulrannyarts.com
About Áine
This portrait painting workshop is led by an award-winning artist and experienced art teacher based in Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland. Originally from County Cork, she studied at the Crawford College of Art and Design and holds a Higher Diploma in Art Teaching.
.Her work has received wide recognition, including being shortlisted three times for the Irish National Portrait Award and winning in 1993. She has painted notable public figures such as Mo Mowlam for BBC1’s Star Portraits (2005), Olympic athlete Jonathan Edwards, and finalists in the British Open Golf Championship.
A finalist on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year (2014), she painted well-known personalities including Neil Hannon, Richard Dawkins, Sally Hitchner, Cicely Berry, and Sir Ian McKellen.
Her portraits have been exhibited by the Royal Watercolour Society, where she won the Heatherleys Studio Award, and she has received multiple Winsor & Newton awards. She also exhibits widely across Scotland and was most recently awarded the Watermark Award at the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour for her portrait of singer Lake Montgomery.
Her work is currently featured in The Artist and Artists & Illustrators magazines.