Plucka’s Art Studio Adelaide review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

Create cool masterpieces by combining ink and alcohol on ceramic tiles or pouring acrylics over old LPs at this suburban studio.

Being an art lover and usually using a pen or a pencil to sketch and doodle, working with colours would often make me feel uncomfortable. But when I saw Plucka’s Art Studio sign next to this place I was having coffee at, I immediately checked out the Facebook page. Two classes that jumped at me were Alcohol Ink and Acrylic Pour Clock.

Owner Shane Pluck greets you with a big smile when you arrive and there are nine other people in the workshop.

Having done art as a major at university, Pluck was a primary school teacher for 20 years. He started the evening with a demonstration before it was our turn.

For my first effort I dropped blue and green ink on a tile, spraying alcohol on it and then diffusing the colours using first a straw and then an air spray tool. For the next one I attempted a bunch of balloons but it turned abstract because once the alcohol goes on the ink, you can’t control how it flows. This time I used coloured pens and used the air spray/brush as soon as I added alcohol. It all went haywire but the balloons held some of their shape and looked colourful.

Alcohol Ink and Acrylic Pour Clock art classes at Plucka's Art Studio, Clapham. Photos: Veathika Jain

Riding on a high, almost literally with all the alcohol in the air, on my last and final attempt I wanted to make a tree with heart-shaped leaves. I drew it with textas but when I sprayed alcohol, it went completely wrong.

After erasing my heart tree, I decide to go for a dusk sky – again use textas. Pluck pointed out how I should direct the air spray horizontally rather than vertically to get the right effect. This time I was happy with the result. Pluck then sprayed the art with a sealant so we could take it home. We all thought the class was great fun.

Alcohol Ink and Acrylic Pour Clock art classes at Plucka's Art Studio, Clapham. Photos: Veathika Jain

My next workshop was all about pouring colour to make a clock.

“Acrylic pour is fun but finishes way too quick. It’s all about the prep and once you pour, you are done,” Pluck explained.

Our clocks were to be on vinyl records and I got a Mozart flute quartet LP to pour colour on. We first had to choose our clock and then had to decide on four colours.

After pouring my base colour, red, I had to use my hand to spread it evenly. The feeling of paint on my fingers was such a unique experience that I didn’t want to stop. But I had to move on. I poured my other paints into a plastic glass – you must pour slowly and in the same spot, so they don’t mix in.

Once the paints are in the glass, all you have to do is flip the glass over on the vinyl. Is it easy? Is it fun? No and No.

“Do it fast and quick and don’t think too much,” was Pluck’s advice. I gathered all the courage I could muster and inverted the glass. The result – half of the paint is on the table and the other half is on the LP.

After looking at what just happened, I have no time to cry. I moved the vinyl a bit to spread the paint and then used a heat gun to move it some more. I was happy with the result but I couldn’t believe it was over. So I added swirls with a popstick.

Pluck warned that once the paint dried it might not look the same as the colours will still flow a bit before settling and drying.

Two days later the paint had dried, Pluck had installed the clock’s hands and I picked it up – my one-of-a-kind clock was ready to show me the time.

These workshops are great to get creative, socialise and make something of your own. Pluck’s infectious energy and love of art makes you want to continue playing with paint.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in August 2020 and details updated in March 2021

• 6/98 Springbank Road, Clapham
• 0408 891 895
• pluckasartstudio.com.au
• facebook.com/Pluckasartstudio/
• instagram.com/pluckasartstudio98/
• LOCATION About 9km south of Adelaide’s CBD.
• DETAILS Learn a number of art techniques on paper, tiles to vinyl records or paint with acrylics on canvas, watercolours and airbrushing, among other art styles. The adult workshops are in the evenings with all material included. You can even take your own wine or drinks and nibbles. Also available for parties and private bookings.
• AVAILABILITY Various times during the week.
• PRICE $40 for a two-hour class.