At Auckland Watercolour Society, we host a monthly Challenge/Workshop and a Plein Air session. We also have exhibitions during the year.
Join us to explore the world of watercolour art with fellow enthusiasts throughout the year.
Plein Air Painting April
Kumeu
26 April Soljans Winery 366 State Highway 16 Kumeu 0892
Painting from 10-12. There is a restaurant or bring your own for a picnic lunch. Hopefully, there will be some nice autumn colours;
Meeting 9.45 at Cellar Door

Cash and Carry
Annual Cash and Carry exhibition is a great opportunity to view and purchase a variety of art work from a number of different artists who are members of the Auckland Watercolour Society.
Buy a painting Take it home with you.
Monthly Workshop and Challenge
Challenge Threatened Species of NZ
Workshop Adeline will be running this workshop, and she is preparing an exciting afternoon, sharing some of the tips and tricks she learnt on the Hazel Soan course she recently attended. Hazel Soan is a highly respected international artist and came to NZ in April 2025.
May Tawharanui
Some are staying 2 nights, 30th and 31st May at Campbells Beach,(Bachcare)near to Tawharanui. If you want to stay, arrange own accommodation or there may be a spare bed in the Campbells Beach accommodation, please ask us.
Painting Saturday morning and afternoon at Tawharanui meet outside the toilet block at Anchor Bay at 9.45 am.
Windy or unfavourable weather, we will be at El Kedira, with limited cellphone coverage.
Shared dinner at El Kedira, 26 Campbell Road, Saturday. Great facilities available. Come and socialize for an hour or two.
Sunday morning, painting at Campbell Beach. Cottage to be vacated by 10 am.
Monthly Workshop
Hi members,
A brief reminder about the workshop this Monday, 10th March, 12.30 at Glenfield Hall, Hall Road, Glenfield.
Nicoletta an experienced illustrator of children's books, and a member of AWS, will be teaching us layering in watercolour. Bring your paints and paper, and your interpretation of My Origin the monthly challenge. We have 4 new members this month, and look forward to meeting you all.
People on HBC, we carpool, meet at EAC, 11.30 am.
Plein Air Painting February
Huia
The journey there is straightforward, use google maps, and follow the signs. Meet at Huia Lookout, at 9.45, on the city side of Huia. Great views up, down and across the harbour, plenty of room for several artists. There are also great painting options at Little Huia, water, headlands, bridge, boats launching.
Meeting 9.45 at Huia lookout.
Bring lunch and drink, there is a café at Huia.
Hibiscus Art Studio Trail
Drop Off Paintings 14th Feb 9am Estuary Arts Orewa
Pick up paintings 16th Feb 2025 4 - 4.30pm Estuary Arts Orewa
February Monthly Workshop
Challenge - Beneath the Waves
Workshop - Headlands presented by Marina.
HEADLANDS AND CLIFFS MONDAY FEB 10
Aiming to get 3 smaller exercises finished.
~Using a tonal scale for aerial perspective and recession.
~scraping back with credit card or palette knife for vertical cracks and crevices on dark craggy cliffs
~using strong paint on rigger brush over under wash for horizontal striations on clay cliffs
~one hard edge and softening off for modelling and light direction
BRING YOUR OWN REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR:
a) dark rocky craggy cliffs
b )earth/ochre coloured clay and sandstone cliffs
Magazine cuttings, photos, coffee table books etc. DON'T FREAK OUT if your reference pictures are complex. You only need to use areas of line and texture for reference to put on the cliff shape you choose to draw. Remember you can photograph a complex picture and zoom in or use a magnifying glass on a magazine/book photo to see details.
I will only supply reference for the tonal exercise.
Bring your painting kit and a few pieces of paper
including sponge for water control, small towel, tissue, old credit card, 2 waterpots, small atomiser, burnt umber/sepia/indigo amongst your usual paints, assortment brushes plus a rigger and a good size mixing palette or plate, hairdryer,scrap paper .
Plein Air Painting January
Alice Eaves Bush Orewa
Meet between 9.30 and 10am at the entrance from Kensington park off centreway road, into Eaves Bush Parade and Parkside drive.
Plenty of parking.
Pathway takes you to bridge over Nukumea stream.
Please wear clean foot ware and use the foot ware cleaning station to prevent kauri dieback spread.
Lots of options for subjects, gardens, a lake, the stream, new and historic buildings.
Enjoy a morning painting in this beautiful park with other artists. Lunch together at midday and discuss what you have painted
Art Trail Website live
The Hibiscus Art Studio Trail Website page is now live. https://www.hibiscusartstudiotrail.com/
This is a great opportunity to exhibit your work over the weekend of the Art Studio Trail and beyond , for the entire month of February, no entry fee!! Just 25% commission if sold outside of the art Trail weekend. And we can replace works sold over the weekend.
Plein Air Painting September
WARKWORTH PAINT AWAY IN SEPTEMBER
Details to follow. Own bookings for accommodation, own catering. Suitable for one day visit.
August Monthly Workshop
Challenge - Through The Fog
Workshop - Distance And Recession In Paintings. Elise De Silva. $10

Plein Air
This month is Matariki. Matariki, also known as the Seven Sisters, is a group of stars that appear in the night sky in New Zealand during the winter months. The Māori New Year begins with the rise of Matariki. Meet at the front entrance to the museum at 10am. Bring your paints and something to sit on and paint your masterpiece. Anyone is welcome to join us.