Art Classes and Workshops with Dr Natalia Balo
“Botanical and Wildlife Illustration workshops”, third Saturday of every month, Old Redcliffe Fire Station.
Young Artists Art Classes “Draw like a Pro!” – Wednesdays after school, Mueller College, Rothwell.
Workshops “Fun with drawing plants and animals” – Redcliffe Library/Gallery, please enquire for times.
“Where the Spirit does not work with the Hand, there is no Art” Leonardo da Vinci
ART TUITION WITH DR NATALIA BALO – multi-award winning figurative Artist specialising in portraiture and wildlife painting, and a professional Art teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience.
Natalia Balo has a formal accreditation in Teaching of Drawing and Painting (BFA in Art Education, MFA in Graphic Arts and Book Illustration, and PhD in Natural History Illustration). Her fine art education in Ukraine (1976-1991), based on the historically famous curriculum of Classical Realism, provided her with the unparalleled skill in academic drawing, which today is a fundamental challenge for many artists. In Australia, Natalia had achieved her Doctoral degree completing an innovative research on Drawing Birds and Bird Anatomy for Artists, to which she dedicated six years (1999-2006). This research became the basis of Natalia’s first book Bird Anatomy for Artists, which is recently published as a university textbook and also available for sale.
Natalia’s Fine Art education belongs to the European Academic School, and her passion is to hand down these skills to her students in a traditional master-to-apprentice way, in a creative and fun environment, with individual attention to every student. Her Art classes and workshops cover wide spectrum of topics – from human figure life drawing to wildlife illustration, landscape and still-life. Students learn to master different mediums of their choice – from pencil, pastel and watercolour to oils and acrylics. Beginners are very welcome.
Feedback – Botanical Illustration Workshops
About the Botanical Illustration Workshops with Dr Balo – I thoroughly enjoyed the Botanical Illustration workshop; and I would like to express just how beneficial this course is for beginner and experienced artists. It was my first class in art ever, and it was very well coordinated in the venue, presentation, visual aids, supplied art materials and excellent teaching. Morning tea at the break impressed each of the students I spoke with. I believe each person attending, learnt something new, and we were able to complete a lovely artwork by the end of the session. It was fantastic value for the class with materials, teaching, and refreshments supplied in the cost. I have already advised friends to go along to future classes.
As a person new to art, Dr Natalia Balo was engaging and encouraging, we were very fortunate to have access to her vast experience and beautiful teaching style. I will certainly be attending further courses taught by her. Dr Balo’s skills and beautiful manner brought out the best in attendees works, and made for a great morning of meeting new people interested in art. I personally learnt a great deal about the Redcliffe Art Society, the refurbished Fire Station, and other local resources just by going to this course, as well as producing a nice-ish picture.
Sincerely,
Susan B., Margate
Dear Natalia
Thank you for the wonderful Botanical Illustration workshop you presented so very well on Saturday at the Redcliffe Library. Your knowledge, preparation, and presentation made the whole exercise very enjoyable and I learnt so much. I’m pretty happy with the result I was able to achieve with your guidance.
Kind regards
Pamela P., Deception Bay
The botanical and wildlife workshops are brilliant. Natalia shares her expertise and passion with all who attend. What a privilege it is to learn from such a great yet humble master of the arts.
Thank you Natalia,
Sonya B., Redcliffe
Thank you for the wonderful class Natalia! I had a terrific time in the class, and thought your detail to the subject matter was excellent. I enjoyed drawing the Everlasting daisy. I came home and told my family about Napoleons’ gift to Josephine and how there is now a sub species of the Napoleon’s daisy on St. Helena Island that originated from Australia. Thank you for sharing this story! The drawing directions were simply explained and easy to follow. I would highly recommend your classes! Hoping to see you in the future.
Kind regards,
Brenda W., Brisbane
Hello Natalia
Thank you for you workshop; I really enjoyed the morning and learned a lot, especially about how to really look at a plant. As a complete beginner, I would appreciate more technical information about drawing (eg shading techniques), but of course you can’t cover everything in 3 hours! I look forward to coming to future sessions at the fire station, and I am hoping to do a little drawing every day to improve my skills.
Thank you,
Valerie B., Redcliffe
Dear Natalia,
I enjoyed your botanical course yesterday as did my daughter in law Diana. I would be interested in doing more but I work most weekends. I also would be interested in doing the wild life course. I am sure I will find your book very helpful.
Thank you,
Lorraine E., Redcliffe
Good Morning Natalia,
Thank you for on forwarding these delightful photos to me, attached to a lovely email. I appreciate that you did it, and they will be an unforgettable memory of a day I enjoyed very much. I had such a lot of fun! And I found it SO relaxing. I never use to have a paintbrush out of my hand as I grew up, and into my early adulthood (unless I was reading a book!), but then sadly I was “steered” by those who knew better, to the responsibilities of grown-up Life –and was also told repeatedly within the ethos of the day, – “Painting is a nice hobby darling, but you’ll have lots of time to take it up again when you retire”. Well, Natalia, I am now retired, and have plenty of time – but no longer the money to freely indulge myself. That’s “Murphy” for you! Nevertheless – this Saturday has helped to inspire me over the hurdle of actually starting again! So pat yourself on the back Natalia!! I have found the ancient cardboard box of my packed up art materials which I’ve carted around forever, unpacked and dusted the contents off, and taken stock of my supplies to “play” again. Thank you!! I also really appreciate all the extras you so thoughtfully provided – notes and materials, and a wonderful tea to boot, – amazing! I look forward to attending your next workshop on animals or birds, and I frequently drop in to the “Fire Station” to look at the latest show.
Thank you again Natalia, and I look forward to seeing you again. PS I LOVE your accent!! It fascinates me J.
Cheers,
Vida L., Margate
