The Johnston Collection is an exhibition house of exquisite British and European fine and decorative arts in a historic East Melbourne townhouse. They have guided tours, amazing lectures, and events. I have presented a number Watercolour Pencil sketching classes in 2024 , 2025 and continue in 2026.
This is a unique opportunity to learn to sketch ‘on location’ at The Johnston Collection. Become familiar with watercolour pencils and how to use them. Then test your new skills as you explore the ground floor rooms of The Johnston Collection’s exhibition house, Fairhall. Have a look at their Special Events to book and see what else is on offer. Anyone can book for my event, you don’t have to be a Member.
These are all on location 15 minute sketches in watercolour pencil.I had not sketched any of these previously. Keep in mind I have been sketching daily since 2008.
Next class is Winter Sketching with Alissa Duke Saturday 15 Aug 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Book HERE
Your ticket includes a welcome tea or coffee, watercolour pencil class, an on-location sketching experience in Fairhall, and a sketch kit to take home (comprising: sketchbook, 12 Faber-Castell watercolour pencils, and a waterbrush).
Class size limited to eight participants.
No equipment or previous experience is required – just bring your enthusiasm.
Taste & Temptation
This wonderful description is from The Johnston Collection wesbite:
Food and drink in the 1700s was more than mere sustenance. A table could display wealth, style, and luxury, be the setting for gossip and social intrigue, and reveal powerful political allegiances.
This autumn and winter, each room of historic East Melbourne townhouse Fairhall, has been theatrically reimagined to evoke the lavish art of eating and drinking in Europe in the eighteenth century.
Experience The Johnston Collection transformed into a series of atmospheric, period- appropriate tableaux.
Explore a haven for political rebels; a stylish Continental Kaffeeklatch where women enjoyed coffee and conversation; a sumptuous dessert setting; a baroque dining room laden with silver; and an elegant morning room for the rituals of dressing and hot chocolate.
View exquisite fine and decorative arts from The Johnston Collection in an exciting new arrangement, and discover the taste and temptations of eighteenth-century drinking and dining.
About the Guest Curator
Dr Matthew Martin is a specialist in European luxury arts of the 1600s-1800s. For 13 years, he was a curator in the Department of International Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Victoria and is currently a faculty member in Art History and Curatorship at the University of Melbourne.
There are many fascinating presentation to attend, Have a look at the EVENTS.
See you at one of them.
Happy Sketching