Explore expressive landscape painting in this hands-on oil painting workshop inspired by the bold colour, movement and energetic brushwork of early Expressionism.

Looking at artists including Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch, you’ll discover how colour, shape and brushwork can transform a landscape and communicate mood and emotion.

Working from the view at Firstsite, you’ll create your own landscape painting from observation, experimenting with simplified forms, exaggerated colour and expressive brushwork rather than aiming for a realistic copy.

What to expect

The session will begin with a short introduction to Expressionism, followed by a demonstration showing how to simplify the view, choose a composition and begin building a painting with oil.

You’ll then develop your own landscape with individual guidance throughout.

You’ll leave with your own expressive landscape oil painting and greater confidence in using oil paint.

Good to know

Basic materials provided. Food and drink is also available for purchase throughout the session from our cafés.

This workshop is suitable for ages 16+ and is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience of oil painting.

What is Expressionism?

Expressionism is an approach to art that uses colour, shape, line and brushwork to communicate emotion and personal response rather than simply showing a subject realistically.

Artists may exaggerate colours, simplify forms and use energetic brushstrokes to create a particular mood or feeling.

In this workshop, you’ll explore these ideas through landscape painting, taking inspiration from artists such as Van Gogh and Munch while developing your own individual style and response.

About your tutor

Denisa Mansfield is an artist whose work explores expressive colour, movement, and emotion through the language of Impressionism and abstraction.

She works primarily in oils, with a focus on how traditional methods can be reinterpreted in contemporary ways.

Her practice celebrates curiosity, creative risk-taking, and the joy of discovery through paint.