Painting Essence

a Workshop with Helene Anne Fortin in Wakefield Quebec

Sunday, September 14 2025 & Sunday, October 19, 2025 – noon- 4 pm

“Essence: The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.”

I would love you to come to this Workshop that is deeply buried in tradition and stems from my love of Chinese brush painting. Its goal is to help you not paint much.

It is the energy of the brushwork I seek. And its control. And perhaps even the frivolity of it that I yearn for as I paint.

For me, each stroke should contain the energy of originality, forgiveness and spontaneity at the same time. Remember: It is just a paint.

The goals of the Workshop are simple:

To help you to elicit simplicity in design.

To help you to create artwork that reflects essence.

To connect with joy while doing so.

The tools we will use: white paper, black ink and a touch of translucent colour as well as one of my favourite apps, Notanizer.

“Art is a container that you throw yourself into.” Jerry Saltz

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One final note about the Workshop. As a portrait photographer, artist and mentor, my studio is steeped in creativity. I believe it is critical for our well-being. So part of the Workshop will be to explain how our brain fights to keep us non-creative, the importance of working with your other hand and your beautiful already creative spirit. Here’s my article about the importance of Creativity in our lives published in Energy Magazine January 2025.

What to bring

Your good self.

Your phone or ipad. Plus a notebook (8x10ish) that can handle wet medium.

A snack as the Workshop lasts 4 hours.

Contemplation a Sipping

Where will the Workshop take place & details

Small classes only: Maximum 5. All levels welcome. This is about exploring YOUR creativity so levels do not matter.

Accommodation: I can help with accommodation should you wish to stay overnight in Wakefield.

Further info:

Email: info@portraitsofyourlife.com

Tel: 819 459.2161

Testimonials from other workshop participants:

The Transformation Workshop was a lot of fun. I would do this again although I love what I have painted!

Your Workshops unlock my brain power.

Best investment on myself I could ever have.

I can’t thank you enough. I had a wonderful time!

I am completely new to art and struggle to let go. Helene Anne was great at getting me to loosen up. I got there in the end! Took a while but I truly enjoyed the process!

Helene Anne, you have a very unique and calming manner to approach painting techniques. Your studio is most inviting and inspirational — a sense of calmness reigns throughout. I completely enjoyed this session!

Thank you so much! Great info, guidance & inspiration.

Very appreciative of this opportunity and would love to experience another class. Wonderful environment!!

I appreciated the very confident and supportive style of teaching.

Merci beaucoup pour ce merveilleux moment!

I realize that the class is already four hours in and yet it doesn’t seem like enough time!

Such an inspiring and spacious day, thank you! So much more than I ever expected.

Loved that the workshop touched on so many different aspects of the art of painting. Learned a lot and got the inspiration I came for.

Thanks for providing such a lovely educational, unique and inspiring class. Amazing environment!

As before (this is my second workshop with Helene Anne), I really enjoyed the class. My only suggestion is to have a list of references or websites mentioned. (Note: Some are in the workbook but I will add others shortly — thank you for this important comment. Helene Anne)

Very much enjoyed the afternoon. The point was to ignite the spark I had as a child. I succeeded.

Creative environment and playful. The day opened new ideas and possibilities and calmed the spirit. Thank you!

Great class and group. Inspires me to continue.

Inspirational!

Love the spontaneity of communal art!