Simple Steps to Tell Your Story Through Painting

Simple Steps to Tell Your Story Through Painting

1. Find a Story

Art is all about discovering the beauty in the mundane. Open up your eyes, ears, nose as you engage with your surroundings.

Anything can be turned into a story if they fall in the right place and right time. Now, think of an event, a place, a time. It can be anywhere, anytime; it can be yesterday, right now or even tomorrow! Let your imagination go wild!

Also, ask yourself questions that will guide you in crafting out your story. It does not matter if  they are real, imaginary, fictional, or whatever you call it. The only rule is that your story must speak for yourself, it must be representative of who you are, and what you are.

2. Visualize what you want to represent

What is the best way to present your narrative visually? Can a candlelit garden lamp tell your story?  Even though a picture can tell a thousand words, not all pictures do. Find something that connects with you in your story. Then take a photo of it, sketch it out or write it down in words. It need not be something in your story, just something that you connects to. This is the only outline you need to work with

3. Be inspired

Whether if it is visiting a museum, reading a book or attending a show, it is very common for artists get a mental block. Therefore, get out there!

Though we are constantly surrounded by ideas, we usually do not know when to start. Hence, we need to go out there and do it consciously. It is always refreshing to see what other artists have done, and how they go about doing it. Furthermore, adapting the styles and technique of these artists can bring more life to your work!

4. Get what you need

As your ideas slowly converge and finalize, you should have a clear picture of what you want to do with your story. List down the things you need. This list needs to be as detailed as possible, so you would not make multiple trips to the store. Despite making the list as detailed as possible, be open to making small changes to that list while shopping.

While supplies shopping can sound intimidating at times, it can also be very enjoyable and therapeutic. As you walk down the rows of shelves in your local art supply store, your mind wanders off to your next work, and the work after. It is also very refreshing to see supplies that we have never seen or used, and start wondering what to do with them.

5. Paint

Finally, it is time to head back to the canvas. It can be intimidating staring at an empty canvas, but that anxiety will fade gradually as you starts painting. As you put paint onto your canvas, be aware and conscious of every detail of your painting. Make sure that every shade of a colour is well represented and every stroke of your brush bears a certain meaning to your story. Whenever you take a step back, make sure that the painting tells your story back to you. While it can get frustrating whenever you look at your uncompleted work and it speaks nothing, the only solution is to be patient. So hang on, we will all get there!

 

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Visual Arts Centre

  • Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio

    10 Penang Road,
    #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green,
    Singapore 238469

  • MacPherson Art Studio

    140 Paya Lebar Road,
    #03-04 AZ@Paya Lebar Building,
    Singapore 409015

  • 6255 0711

  • info@visualartscentre.sg

  • 62550711

  • 67332155

  • Opening Hours

    Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio
    Monday to Sunday: 11am – 8pm Closed on Public Holidays, except by appointment.

    MacPherson [Office & Storage]
    By appointment only

VISUAL ARTS CENTRE

Visual Arts Centre is an exhibition gallery and art studio at Dhoby Ghaut Green supported by the National Parks Board and the National Arts Council.

Since its initiation on 31 January 2016, the Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery has hosted over two hundred international and local art and design exhibitions, boasting a diverse range of art styles and programmes.

Email:
info@visualartscentre.sg

Phone:
+65 6255 0711
+65 6733 2155

Art Courses 艺术课程

Featured Courses 推荐课程

  • Art Immersion 3 Medium Course 综合媒介绘画课

  • Drawing & Sketching Course 素描课程

  • Acrylic Painting Course 丙烯画课程

  • Watercolour Painting Course 水彩画课程

  • Oil Painting Course 油画课程

  • Chinese Ink Painting Course

  • Trial Sessions 试课

  • Chinese Calligraphy & Ink Painting

  • Graffiti Spray Painting Course

Portfolio Preparation Art Courses

  • Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) 作品集 (DSA)

  • Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) 作品集 (Diploma)

Specialised Art Courses

  • Professional Manga Drawing & Digital Painting Course

  • Professional Interior Design & Freehand Rendering Course

  • Outdoor Urban Landscape Sketching Course

  • Private Art Classes

Kids Art Courses

  • Creative Kids Art Immersion Course 儿童创意绘画课程

Holiday Art Courses & Bootcamps

  • 2025: Holiday Art Course for Kids & Teens 儿童和青年假期课程

  • 2025 Kids (6-9YO) Holiday Art Course 儿童假期课程

  • 2025 Teens (10-18YO) Holiday Art Course 青年假期课程

Workshops & Events
工作坊与团建

Team Bonding Programmes

  • Team Building Art Jamming

  • Art Jamming Team Bonding Catalogue

  • Team Bonding

  • Gala Dinner Art Workshop

  • Batik Painting Workshop (Mural / Individual)

  • Graffiti Spray Painting on Canvas Workshop

Themed Workshops

  • Kids Birthday Party - Art Jamming

  • Kids T-Shirt Painting Art Party

  • Batik Painting Workshop

  • Graffiti Spray and Paint Workshop

  • Therapeutic Mental Health Workshops

Current Art Workshops

  • Workshops at SAM During SAW 2025

  • Digital Dreams - Transforming Ideas Into Art

  • Nude Life Drawing with Artist Guidance

  • Portrait Life Drawing with Artist Guidance

  • Chinese Ink Painting

  • Chinese Calligraphy & Ink Painting

Exhibitions 展览

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

  • ARTBEATS

Venue Hire 场地出租

  • Hire of Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery @ Dhoby Ghaut

  • Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery @ Dhoby Ghaut

  • Visual Arts Centre Gallery and Studio @ MacPherson

OUR BLOG

Special Art Jamming Themes

  • Chinese New Year Art Jamming

  • Art Workshops for Singles and Dating

  • Women's Day

  • Labour's Day

  • National Day

  • Mid Autumn Festival

  • Deepavali Art Jamming

  • Halloween Art Jamming

  • Christmas Art Jamming

  • Best Team Building Activity

  • Art Jamming Team Bonding Catalogue

  • 零基础自助绘画（Art Jamming ）工作坊

Kids Art Jamming Birthday Party Workshops

  • 艺术生日派对-DIY粘土主题

  • Art Birthday Party With Diy Clay

  • Art Birthday Party With Tote Bag Painting 艺术生日派对-画托特包主题

  • Birthday Party With T-shirt Painting

  • 艺术生日派对-画T恤衫主题

Art Competition and Affordable Art Fair Workshops

  • Singapore Children and Youth Art Competition 2021

  • 新加坡儿童与青少年绘画大赛开始报名啦！

  • (Embracing Nature) Children and Youth Art Competition

  • Workshops & Fair Activities

Venue Hire

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  • Beautiful Space in the City Central

  • A Perfect Art Venue for Hire

  • What to consider when renting a venue for your fashion shows and pop-ups?

Art Course

  • Where to learn Professional Chinese calligraphy course in Singapore?

  • 艺术疗愈如何让你心理更健康

  • Best Professional Art Courses In Singapore

  • 在新加坡哪里能学专业素描／速写、油画、水彩、丙烯、水墨、艺术作品集准备、儿童美术、儿童青少年书法等专业美术绘画课？

  • 在新加坡哪里学习专业书法课程？学习书法对儿童青少年的好处

  • Art Portfolio Preparation - DSA (Kids)

  • 凭什么，新加坡乌节路寸土寸金的商业宝地竟给国人当画室? 快!带你去看看!

  • Singapore Holiday 2025 - Learn Digital Landscape Painting and Manga Drawing

  • 成人画画课就在视觉艺术中心

  • Applying into Art Schools - How does one build an art portfolio?

Others

  • Best Professional Manga Drawing Drawing Course in Singapore

  • 对南洋画派新加坡第一代艺术先驱作品的印象

  • 定制贵宾晚宴的艺术项目

  • Art Buzz: How to Appreciate Art?

  • 《纪念刘抗诞辰111周年—刘抗书画遗作展》

  • 10 Reasons to Learn Drawing and Sketching

  • Art Therapy Course in Singapore!

  • Overseas Students Art & Cultural Exchange

  • Commissioning Custom made portraits/nude life by professional artists

  • FAQs for Art Portfolio Preparation - DSA, Diploma & Higher Education

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Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.