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Butterfly Painting Workshops
Paint your own one-of-a-kind NZ native butterfly on specially prepared aluminium that is rust and wind proof.
Upcoming workshops - Dates to be confirmed
Please register your interest with Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre - click here
Venue: Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Duration: Approximately 3 hours 20 minutes
Maximum participants: 12
Cost: $230 per person
Come along and spend a few creative hours painting your very own native-inspired butterfly, while enjoying a relaxed and welcoming workshop at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.
These hands-on workshops are designed for anyone who enjoys nature, creativity and the satisfaction of making something beautiful with their own hands. No previous painting experience is necessary — I’ll guide you through each step, from creating your design through to painting your finished butterfly.
Course Introduction
This fun and creative workshop combines art and conversation as you paint your own 30cm-wide, rust and wind resistant aluminium butterfly inspired by a New Zealand native species.
Two workshops are available: the NZ Red Admiral (kahukura) and the NZ Yellow Admiral (kōwhaiwhai).
Using high-quality, non-toxic Resene exterior-grade paints, I'll guide you step by step through painting process. You can either replicate the natural colours and patterns of the species or creating their own artistic interpretation with these colours.
Your finished butterfly is durable and suitable for displaying indoors or outdoors, including wet areas such as a bathroom or laundry, or outside on a garden fence or the exterior of your home.
What's included
Your workshop fee includes:
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Professionally prepared 3mm aluminium butterfly
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Etched and powder-coated finish
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Welded hanging bracket and stainless steel mounting screws
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Transfer paper and drawing materials
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Brushes and premium Resene paints
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All cleaning materials
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Step-by-step guidance throughout the workshop
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A cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits
What you'll learn
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A few basics on how to use acrylic paints, and an overview on the colours that you will use for various parts of the butterfly you will be painting.
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You will use two different brushes, learning the different effects these brushes by mark-making and testing various strokes on paper.
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Material handling: Explaining how to hold tools and mix mediums.
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Learning how to clean the brushes and take care of them, if you are new to painting.
Throughout the workshop we work through each step of painting the butterfly including:
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Learning a design transfer technique.
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Basic shapes: Breaking complex subjects down into simple lines.
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Practicing painting fine lines and other brushwork techniques including colour blending, blocking, feathering and layering techniques.
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Brush loading and paint coverage.
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You will be shown how to avoid an overly thick paint application, and to achieve a smooth finish.
What you'll create and take home
At the end of the workshop, you'll take home your own unique native inspired butterfly, ready to display indoors or outdoors.
Made from 3mm thick aluminium, your butterfly is professionally deburred, etched and powder-coated, making it rust resistant, durable and well suited to outdoor display in New Zealand conditions.
The butterfly has a welded aluminium hanging bracket on the back, which has been designed by a local company, and comes with stainless steel screws.
Supporting conservation
I'm passionate about connecting creativity with conservation, and I’m delighted that these workshops are being held at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.
A portion of every workshop fee will support Pūkaha’s ongoing conservation work.