ANDY DOLPHIN
FEATURE ARTIST ANDY DOLPHIN (MT BARKER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
Andy’s journey into fine art began over two decades ago, though his passion for art stretches back to childhood. With a professional background in sign writing, graphic art and commercial illustration, he now focuses on oil and watercolour painting, as well as outdoor sketching. Inspired by rural landscapes, forests, small towns and seascapes, his work captures the beauty of sunlight and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow.
In 2021, Andy held his inaugural solo exhibition in Albany (Aust) with terrific results. Subsequent solo exhibitions have also proved popular.
Andy has been an enthusiastic participant and award winner at Plein Air Down Under since 2020. He joined the event’s teaching faculty in 2022. His many accolades include the Grand Prize at the 2023 WA Society of Arts Annual Awards and several awards at Plein Air Down Under in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.
His passion for plein air painting continues to grow and has earned him invitations to teach a variety of workshops, including residencies at Wireless Hill and Beverley plus regular teaching spots at Plein Air Down Under and Albany Summer School. Andy has also presented several workshops in Pinjarra through the Murray Arts and Crafts Society.
In 2025, Andy was invited to present a drawing workshop at the inaugural Capital Plein Air in Canberra. He also won two awards at the event.
In November 2025, Andy met with Michael and Karyn Harding and was appointed as an ambassador for Michael Harding watercolours.
Master Class Information
Master Class “Watercolour, en plein air “
Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 September 2026
Peel Region, Western Australia
Andy will demonstrate his bold watercolour technique with emphasis on simplifying the scene using tone and composition to create a successful painting on location. Dependent on conditions, students will either follow along with Andy or watch then choose their own scene and paint with Andy’s guidance. We will look at how Andy built a lightweight watercolour easel from an inexpensive retail box easel and look at his minimal setup of tools and limited palette of watercolours.
Oil painters who have shied away from watercolour may find this workshop especially useful as Andy was very much an oil painter, for more than 20 years, before adopting watercolour in 2022. As such, he is in a great position to speak of the differences in behavior and approach.
This workshop is ideal for those with some watercolour experience looking to take their practice outdoors but also to artists comfortable with other media and looking to add watercolours to their repertoire.
Two Days $360 – Registrations open March 2026
