Mackay Art Society has an established plein air painting group. The group meets nearly every Sunday afternoon, painting from 3pm until 530pm. It is an untutored social meeting. Artists learn how to paint from life in a very supportive environment. Plein air painting develops free expression and an impressionistic style due to the time limitations and changing light.  Meetings are arranged through the Mackay Art Society Messenger chat. Contact Doug Lenton on 0427 589 972 between the hours of 1200pm and 5pm. Doug will put you in the messenger chat and welcome you to the group.  There is no attendance fee.

Still life painting is held once to twice a week on Wednesday mornings room 10am to 1pm  or Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 8pm. Meetings are organised and advertised via the Mackay Art Society Facebook page and the Mackay Art Society Plein Air messenger chat.

Still life painting and drawing develops and improves drawing and painting skills due to time limitations.

A range of subjects are chosen from fruit and flowers, to the very popular teddy bears. There is no attendance fee for the activity, other than the standard $5 building attendance fee.

Life Drawing is held from time to time. 6-to-8-week paintings sessions are organised on Wednesday nights from 5pm to 7pm. Notification of life drawing is done advertised by Facebook via the Mackay Art Society Facebook page. Typically, nude models are drawn over 60-second, 5-minute and 20-minute time periods in a range of different poses. Life drawing significantly develops drawing skills, which is the foundation to painting in all other mediums. There is an attendance fees linked to this activity.