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.
MasterClass Information
Masterclass # 1
Watercolour, en plein air presented by Michael Harding Paints
Peel Region, Western Australia. Exact location to be advised.
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.
BONUS: Samples of Michael Harding Watercolours will be supplied for each participant, saving you money on buying paints AND allowing you to try and work with the same vibrant colours used by Andy Dolphin.
Two Days $360
Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 September 2026
Morning tea provided, BYO lunch
Masterclass #2
URBAN PEN & WASH with Andy Dolphin, presented by Michael Harding Watercolours
An Urban Pen & Wash sketch can stand alone as an artwork, be used in a visual travel journal or as a plein air colour study for a larger painting. In this workshop, Andy Dolphin will guide students through a process of analysing a scene, simplifying the shapes and dealing with the much-dreaded issue of perspective.
Weather permitting, the course will include indoor and outdoor exercises using pen and watercolour. This workshop is suitable for beginners or those who have some drawing skill but who want to improve the fundamentals or add a bit of colour to their work.
One day $175
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Dance Studio
Morning tea provided, BYO lunch
