Art Classes & Workshops
Private painting lessons can be the perfect lesson for you if you need flexibility in your schedule or want to focus on your personal requirements. Nicole Russell teaches watercolours and oil painting in private lessons. These lessons can be inside or outside the studio (plein air).
For any questions or further information, please contact Nicole.
$50 per hour
(materials not included), or
$65 including materials.
Nicole Russell Art Studio:
300 Pomona Road, Ruby Bay, Mapua 7173
Or a plein air location.
The plein air painters in the Nelson/Tasman region meet regularly every Wednesday (except for the third Wednesday of the month), starting at 10am. Weekly updates on the next meeting point are sent out by email. If you are a plein air artist or are just curious to meet the group and see how we work, please contact Nicole Russell and ask to be put on the mailing list.
– The weekly plein air meetings are free.
– There is no obligation to attend.
– Everybody is welcome.
We are a small social group enjoying painting outside in the company of fellow artists.
Click Enquire if you like to be included on the mailing list and for further information.
No fee.
Meeting places vary each week. Information is emailed regularly and posted on the Website and on Facebook (@Nicole Russell Fine Arts).
Wai Knot Watercolour – (Wai – water, knot – a joining together)
As three local watercolour painters we’re aware that though there are many art groups in Nelson/Tasman, none cater specifically to watercolour.
With this in mind we invite you to join our watercolour get together “Wai Knot” once a month in various locations to paint with watercolours. This is a casual group (no teaching, no fee, koha for tea & coffee).
First get together has changed to Grossi Point, Mapua (no longer Gravity Winery). Head towards Mapua Wharf and turn right at Tahi St, travel to the end of the road to the Grossi Point reserve. Please bring your painting gear and a smile.
Please contact us if you’d like any more info , or if you’d like to be added to our email list (which is how we’ll probably notify people of where we plan to meet).
Looking forward to meeting you are Jan Thomson, Jane Smith and Nicole Russell
Previous Classes - Testimonials - Photos
“Thanks so much Nicole, I enjoyed your workshop and it helped me not only with my art mixing colours, but also my interior design aspect of understanding colours.”
Candace Carlyle, June 2023
Thank you Nicole.
Nicole has recently taken a workshop at Motueka for the art group on Palette Knife painting.
Nicole is always well prepared and provides equipment if required. Her tutorials include simple and well explained exercises as well as more challenging tasks to suit a variety of skill levels.
Her personal expertise in a range of media gives her confidence in her teaching skills.
I would highly recommend Nicole as a tutor.
Thank you Nicole.
Marian Painter, June 2022
Carolyn Steel, November 2021
Louis Du-Plessis, November 2021
(Watercolour Journaling) This is such an amazing class! Highly recommend it! I was a total beginner and loved it. A great introduction to watercolour.
Eva Kerer, February 2020
Thanks to Nicole’s patient, informative and well put together course I can now achieve some success in watercolour……due to a working life that took us to many fascinating countries I’ve always envied those that could put experiences into a sketch/painting in a journal – having watched people do so. Now, with practise, thanks to Nicole I will be able to do the same. There is a lot to learn but the precise notes sent after each class are always at hand. I look forward to another course.
Christine Leith, December 2020
As an absolute beginner, Nicole’s Watercolour Journaling course was a great introduction to watercolour techniques suitable for outdoor journaling. The process of practicing a technique or techniques followed by a project piece, that included the technique, was very enjoyable and easy to follow. Nicole was always positive, supportive and encouraging which made for a special learning experience.
Pam Wright, December 2020
Nicole makes watercolour journaling great fun with her energy and enthusiasm. She introduced us to a variety of techniques and provided notes as a reference so that on our last session we all produced a lovely landscape of Monaco.
Wendy Furness, December 2020
Nicole Russell has been my Art Teacher over the past 2 ½ years. I appreciate her Teaching Style which provides true growth material to my journey. Her presentation of short Principles with each Group lesson helps to reinforce the basics. Nicole allows me to develop my own style and offers practical evaluation along with necessary trouble shooting. I always am made to feel as though I am making progress . I have particularly enjoyed private Tuition with Nicole, as working alongside her as I attempt to gain knowledge re Oil Painting has been a brilliant way to learn. Nicole gently corrects me , reinforces techniques as I need and shares wonderful pearls of wisdom along the way.
I feel very grateful to be able to tap into Nicoles profound knowledge of painting. She has great flexibility in working with all genres (water colour, Oils and Acrylics)
I highly recommend Nicole to those who wish to extend their knowledge in the world of painting. She is gentle and personable and puts fertilizer on anyones attempt to develop.
Thank you so much Nicole for sharing your knowledge with me.
Wendy de Groot, November 2020
Andrew Stephenson, December 2020
I wanted to start painting with watercolours for a while but didn’t know how to start and which materials I needed. Booking in for a private session with Nicole was perfect. She has so much knowledge and shared so many helpful tips and tricks, and I learned a lot in my first session. She has a lovely calm way of teaching that puts you at ease and makes it fun. I’m sure I will be back for more sessions soon. Thank you, Nicole.
Jamila Knopp, October 2020
Nicole Russell has been my Art Teacher over the past 2 ½ years. I appreciate her Teaching Style which provides true growth material to my journey. Her presentation of short Principles with each Group lesson helps to reinforce the basics. Nicole allows me to develop my own style and offers practical evaluation along with necessary trouble shooting. I always am made to feel as though I am making progress . I have particularly enjoyed private Tuition with Nicole, as working alongside her as I attempt to gain knowledge re Oil Painting has been a brilliant way to learn. Nicole gently corrects me , reinforces techniques as I need and shares wonderful pearls of wisdom along the way.
I feel very grateful to be able to tap into Nicoles profound knowledge of painting. She has great flexibility in working with all genres (water colour, Oils and Acrylics)
I highly recommend Nicole to those who wish to extend their knowledge in the world of painting. She is gentle and personable and puts fertilizer on anyones attempt to develop.
Thank you so much Nicole for sharing your knowledge with me.
Wendy de Groot, 2020
Kia Ora Tatou Katoa,
My name is Sharon Salmon. I am a Professional Tattoo Artist with 30 years experience.
Recently this year during COVID I dabbled with water colour. I very quickly realised I needed expert help so I jumped on google and found, Nicole Russell. Within a week I was nervously knocking on Nicoles front door. I had no idea what to expect. I was warmly welcomed into Nicoles home and studio, cuppa and biscuits. After an indepth discussion about my aims and objectives of being there we got straight into our first lesson. With the family pooch sleeping under my chair we embarked on what I would call now a wonderful and creative relationship not only with a paintbrush and paint but with Nicole.
Nicoles way of teaching is friendly and encouraging. She very much knows her stuff. She is very organised, knowledgable and is happy to be flexible within the studio setting to allow you to play with ideas and techniques.
I totally encourage you to make that call and knock on Nicoles door. This experiece has changed my life in such a beautiful way. I get lost playing with water colour and I have forged a relationship with a very talented lady.”
Sharon Salmon, 2020
Thanks Nicole for such an encouraging & safe learning enviornment. You have removed my fear of watercolours & shown me some great techniques to practice at home.
Shirley Whitmore, August 2019
Hi Nicole, just an appreciation from me for the 5 week watercolour course I recently attended with you. I am sorry it has come to an end as I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. I learnt such a lot in the understanding of the colour process; in how paints can behave differently; in techniques to improve both my skills and produce better painting outcomes.The relaxed atmosphere and your lovely tutoring style made it a pleasure to learn. I would certainly recommend your tutorials to anyone wanting to improve their skills. Thank you!
Alison Reid, July 2019
Going to a watercolour class for the first time was a little daunting, but luckily it all turned out well thanks to our patient, encouraging and enthusiastic art tutor Nicole. She is highly skilled in her work, and conveys new exercises in a concise and fun way to learn.
I would highly recommend your water colour painting journey with Nicole. It was just wonderful and sparked a real interest in that area now.
Joanna Hamilton, July 2019
The classes were an absolute delight, none of us wanted to stop! Nicole is a delightful and inspirational teacher. She is gentle and very encouraging. Always keen to help and guide you if you have not got it right the first time. Really thrilled to be ‘playing’ with Watercolour again and looking forward to continuing with further courses.
Mirren Stephens, September 2018
It was so refreshing to have a tutor who made us feel good about what we were doing even when we felt a bit below the mark. The skills and tips you gave us will stay with me and have certainly inspired me to continue in ma watercolour journey. Thank you Nicole
Gwen Nicholson, September 2018
This is an excellent introduction to Watercolour Journaling. Nicole is a natural and pleasant teacher, presenting each step in an easy-to-follow format that gives beginners and more experienced artists alike a sound basis for our own journaling experience. A generous bonus is Nicole’s follow-up email guides to each lesson.
Jacquelyn E. Lane, March 2018
I was a total beginner in the use of watercolour, but Nicole and her accessible style of teaching made it easy to understand and I had immediate successes right from the very first session. I would recommend her classes to anyone
Ruth Parsons, March 2018
Friendly supportive learning in great company. The course personally went a long way to unlocking the mysteries of colour and their relationships to one another. Thank you Nicole.
Graeme Tideman, September 2018
