The mystique of peonies — the most elegant of flowers — and their symbolism of prosperity, romance, and renewal presents an irresistible subject, rewarding both beginner and seasoned painters with expressive, luminous results. Lush petals, shifting hues, and fleeting bloom invite artists to slow down, observe, and translate elegance with every transparent wash.
Capture the magic
Capture these elegant flowers — with award winning contemporary realist painter, Crystal Beshara — to keep the magic alive. Using Crystal's step-by-step, expert guidance, you'll create your own delicate floral painting.
What you’ll learn
Crystal will expertly teach you the techniques you need and guide you, step-by-step through completion of this botanical study in this full-day watercolour workshop. Techniques you’ll learn include:
- Preserving highlights without masking fluid
- Glazing and
How to control your watercolours to get radiant results.
- Experience required
Experience required
This workshop is suitable for absolute beginners who’ll get to grip with the basics and create their first watercolour painting and novices and intermediate watercolourists wanting to develop and improve their understanding and watercolour skills and technique.
Included
- All materials and tools — you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer
- Step-by-step guided demonstrations
- Practice sheets for techniques
- Reference images
- Your masterpiece
Also included
This workshop is part of our Passion for Petals Festival running throughout the month of June. During this full-day workshop you'll have freshly picked late-season peonies to inspire you . You'll get to take home your own bouquet, courtesy of Apple Hill Peonies. Early season peonies include Madame Claude Tain, a brilliant white with a blush of the lightest of yellows in the centre, Monsieur Jules Elie, an elegant pink and classic Ivory Victory speaks for itself.*
About Crystal Beshara
Crystal is an international award-winning contemporary realist painter and sought-after educator. A self-taught realist, she spent her rural childhood observing and drawing the natural world around her. Crystal shifts easily between mediums — watercolour, gouache and oil — focusing on realism juxtaposed with expressive, gestural brushstrokes.
Her popular creative workshops are well structured and geared towards developing participant’s skills. Benefit from Crystal's more than 25 years’ teaching experience in this workshop.
Good to know
Please arrive a little early, settle in and help yourself to some refreshments. Late arrivals disrupt the rest of the class, and it may not be possible for the instructor to help you catch up.
Lunch
We'll take a 30-minute lunch break — bring a packed lunch or support a local eatery.
Know your way around
Visit our FAQs page to learn more about parking, our facilities, local restaurants and accommodations.
At a glance
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Facilitating Artist Crystal Beshara
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Class size 12 seats
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Language English with supplementary explanation in French if required
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Date Sunday 28 June 2026
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Time 10:00 to 16:00
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Experience needed None
*Colour & availability subject to seasonal variability.
