Shenton Park’s Riley House residents given lesson in art by WA artist Mark Tweedie

SHENTON Park’s Riley House residents were given a lesson in portraiture painting today by WA artist Mark Tweedie.

Black Swan 2016 prize winner Mark Tweedie presented a two-hour portraiture skills workshop to residents from the aged care home, part of the 2019 Amana Living Arts Festival.

Mr Tweedie said he taught residents the process of building a face where they explored an expressive approach to painting and focused on the emotional impact of their work.

“We worked from a photograph, worked with the light and dark shades and built a face from the beginning of the structure and tone, finishing off with adding some skin colour as well,” he said.

Mr Tweedie said some residents reconnected with painting, while others were introduced to painting in a relaxed environment.

“We start off being creative as kids, and in most cases, that dramatically decreases as we age,” he said.

“Making art has endless benefits and in particular has the potential to be meditative, calming, encourage memories, and can be socially engaging.”