It is paint’s qualities of colour and texture that attract us and allows for endless possibility of what can be achieved. Creating the idea of a bird or flower with a few strokes of well-placed paint is a joy. They exist as abstractions on the canvas observed as painted moments.

Gabhann Dunne

Course Content

This course we will be looking at the use of paint from thin blended layers to thick gestural brush marks and everything in between. Essential components include the understanding of various qualities of paint, how to mix and use brushes. This course will also show how different mark making behaves on various surfaces (for example, board, canvas) and how mediums (like linseed oil, turpentine or acrylic mediums) influence paint. We will also look at how to achieve a richer palette through colour mixing.

  • How to create gesture with paint

  • Colour mixing and balance

  • An understanding of materials used in painting

Weekly online sessions

Get valuable feedback on your own work

Submit your work in response to the themes of the course and attend weekly online live sessions where Gabhann will give detailed personalized feedback and respond to any questions you may have.

Key course information

This online course will take place over 5 weeks from 22nd October 2025 with an online group session each week. Each week a new topic will be introduced which you will have the opportunity to research in your own time based on the materials provided. 

Weekly online live sessions with Gabhann will take place every Wednesday from 1pm - 2.30pm (Irish time) providing an opportunity for the group to come together to share their findings and to explore the topic in more detail. The first online group session will take place on 22nd October, with course introduction and onboarding taking place the week prior.

Course fee - €275

Limited spaces

Book now

Course outline

Week 1

We begin through a friendly and informal introduction session, where students will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about their goals for the course. Gabhann will also talk about 'bravura' and 'gestural' painting and embracing 'risk taking' in the painting process.

Week 2

We will spend some time reviewing historical systems of painting focusing on examples of artists working within a gestural painting system.

Week 3

We will explore mark making and how to use different brushes to achieve different results. We will then apply these techniques to the painting of a bird in flight.

Week 4

In this week, we will look at colour mixing with a focus on creating a rich set of greens. We will then apply this to creating a painting of wildflowers.

Week 5

In this final week, we will bring everything together with a portrait study.

About Gabhann Dunne

Currently represented by the Molesworth Gallery in Dublin, Gabhann studied Fine Art Painting at the Dublin Institute of Technology and The National College of Art and Design, Dublin. A former winner of the RDS Taylor Art Award, he has exibited widely, including at Farmleigh House and Limerick city gallery. His work is in public and private collections including: Office of Public Works; Savilles ; Facebook; De Loitte, Mason Hayes Curran; the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland and IMMA which acquired in 2025 'Crossing the Salt' - a composite work of 100 paintings.

More about Gabhann

Frequently asked questions

  • What will I get by signing up to this course?

    By signing up to this course you will join a group of students and follow a structured course hosted on Big Look.

    Each week, a new topic, area of research or drawing challenge will be added to the online platform which you can follow at your own pace and submit work through assignments.

    Each week there will also be a live group session where you can get feedback from the mentor and ask any questions you may have.

  • Who is this course suitable for?

    This course is for anyone who is interested in exploring opportunities to bring gesture and risk taking into their painting practice. While this course covers certain painting subjects, the same techniques can be applied to any subject matter.

  • What painting mediums are covered?

    This course will suit anyone working in oils or acrylics. While Gabhann will demonstrate using oils, the same techniques and concepts translate very well to acrylics and Gabhann can advise on the mediums which best combine with acrylics to achieve the equivalent results.

  • Will I be painting during the live sessions?

    The main teaching content for this course is released week by week through pre-recorded content which you can follow at your own pace. Each week will also feature assignments which you will respond to online.

    The live online sessions then provide the opportunity for Gabhann to review the assignment submissions from everyone and to discuss the week's topic in more detail, including any challenges you or anyone in the group may have had.

  • Do I need to join the live sessions each week to follow this course?

    While there will be some content that you can access weekly through the platform, to get the most out of this course, participation in as many of the live sessions as possible is strongly advised, as this will be where the themes of the course are discussed and explored in depth.

  • Will there be a chat group?

    You will have the option to join a private WhatsApp channel exclusive to this group where Gabhann will share inspiration, tips and feedback and where students can ask questions at any time.

  • Will I lose access to content when the course is finished?

    We will extend access to the online materials after the course is completed for some time. However, it will no longer be possible to interact with Gabhann after the course is finished.

  • What technology or apps do I need to follow this course?

    You don’t need to install any app to follow this course. All content and tools are on the Big Look website which you can access using your favourite web browser (e.g. Chrome or Safari). Live sessions run inside the website also, so there is no need to install or use Zoom.

    To get most value out of this class you should use a PC or Mac laptop or desktop computer or an iPad rather than a phone – as larger screens are better for this type of content. Please ensure that your device speakers and mic work so that you can both hear the content and also ask questions on the live Wednesday sessions. You should also ensure you have a fast and stable internet connection.

    To participate in the chat group you should have WhatsApp installed on your phone.

  • What happens if I have a technical issue?

    Students who sign up to the course, will have the opportunity to join a test session to ensure that everything works in advance.

    There are also help resources available to students to answer the most common issues and questions. In addition, there is the facility to log a support request and get assistance from Big Look at any point.

Course fee - €275

Limited spaces

Book now