An abstract painting workshop using the power of play, experimentation, and intuition to create layered, unique, acrylic paintings that will surprise and delight you. Absolutely no talent or previous experience is required, but this approach can be freeing for practicing artists, too. At the end of the workshop series, you’ll have two finished paintings you’ll love. We build our paintings by adding layers week by week.

Session 1: Start Where You Art
We start by scribbling on the canvases to loosen up and warm up. We paint words of intention on the surface. Then we make broad strokes of bold color, using big brushes. We start with a warm color palette on one canvas (red, orange,yellow, pink) and a cool palette on the other (green, blue, teal, violet). Then we add a bit of black and white to both paintings.

Session 2: Happy Little Accidents
Today is all about play. We will make random marks and lines. We will swoop, drip, swirl, sketch and stamp with fingers, objects, stencils, and smaller brushes. Each layer has a presence; we don’t obliterate layers but instead use the improvisational principle of “yes, and” to build our paintings.

Session 3: Subject Matters
This session is all about exploring composition. We may chalk outlines on our canvas, or we may create masking shapes or stencils out of paper to create designs that feel “on purpose.” The instructor has a stencil library for painters to use, as well as a projector that will allow artists to draw outlines of digital images, if they wish.

Session 4: Wholeness and Completion
Today we put the finishing touches on our paintings, including our artist signature. Some may wish to make small final marks with acrylic markers, which will be provided. We will do a gallery walk of each other’s work, and comment on what we love. We reflect on what the process has taught us, and dream and scheme about possible next steps on our creative itinerary.

Minimum # of Students: 4
Maximum # of Students: 10
Cost: $100 (plus cost of materials)
Materials List

Date: 4 Fridays: starting Fri, Feb 6 (Feb 6, 13, 20 & 27) (10am-12:30pm)

Just a friendly reminder that classes which do not meet the minimum enrollment requirements will be canceled.