Valerie Laver – painting and art

Written in September 2024.

Valerie runs our Beginner’s Watercolour Painting Course.

In my own words

I’ve been drawing and painting since childhood. While living in South Gippsland, I painted full-time, entered many shows and won some awards. A move back to Melbourne interrupted this, but I am now back to painting full-time, working in various mediums such as watercolour, oil, acrylic, ink and charcoal.

I am a member of the Box Hill Art Group and Diamond Valley Arts Society. In 2024, I received Highly Commended at the Box Hill Art Group Mid-Year Exhibition. Previous awards include First Prize (Best Works on Paper) in 2021 and the People’s Choice Award in 2019. I’ve also exhibited at Montsalvat, the Rotary Eltham Art Show and Nillumbik Artist Open Studios.

What my students will learn

In my watercolour classes for beginners, students will build a strong foundation in technique, with each session reinforcing previous skills and introducing new, gentle challenges to enhance observation and colour mixing abilities.

Class structure

There will be classroom demonstrations and opportunities to practice in a fun and safe place with no judgement.

Why did you volunteer to run this class?

I love sharing my experience and enjoy seeing the satisfaction on students’ faces.