The event was opened by Northern Grampians Shire councillor Jason Hosemans at the Halls Gap community hub on Friday.

Event co-ordinator Marion Matthews said feedback from the week-long event so far had been overwhelmingly positive.

More than 450 people have booked in to attend a series of two and four-day workshops covering an array of mediums during the week.

“Bookings have been huge and it’s been really encouraging for the artists seeing the number of people wandering in to have a look at the works,” Ms Matthews said.

“We’ve had some really beautiful works being produced and a great mix of experienced artists along with beginners.”

Ms Matthews said Harrow artist Ron Penrose had been commissioned to spend the week painting the faces of Halls Gap as the artist in residence at the community hub.

She said he was already well on the way to painting most of the people living in the small tourist town.

“He’s already painted quite a few local identities,” she said.

“Ron will be painting on site every afternoon for the rest of the week.”

Ms Matthews said Grampians Brushes was an event that encouraged artists to develop their abilities by participating in workshops with experienced art teachers.

“It’s about extending your skills as an artist and working with some high quality tutors in a concentrated period of time,” she said.