Abstract Painting with Alternative Tools

Join us for a 10-week workshop on Thursdays at 7:00 to 9:30 pm from February 27th to April 30th. Painting with Alternative Tools is an abstract painting and mark-making workshop where paint brushes are traded for non-traditional painting and drawing tools.

Subject Matter: We'll embark on an abstract art making practice and embrace the freedom of loose mark-making and paint applications. Subject matter may revolve around color harmonies, the juxtapositions between different types of paint applications and discovery of unique drawing techniques with tools you may not normally consider in painting. Each week we'll focus on a different theme as we work. Students who wish to introduce representational imagery into their work are welcome to but a mastery of drawing is not necesssary for this workshop. We will use acrylic paint for this workshop.

Week 1: We'll start the workshop with a basic lesson in color theory & paint mixing followed by a practice painting sesson where we'll test our new color skills. By the end of our first session we will complete a small painting based on our color theory lesson. 

Weeks 2-3: Participants will begin to experiment with various non-traditonal tools to create lines, shapes and marks. As participants work with these odd tools they'll begin to identify the types of marks they'll use in their artworks. We'll also begin to learn different techniques of applying fields of color and pigment for background and large spaces. As students become familiar with the mediums and techniques we will plan a series of paintings and begin work on them.

Weeks 4-9: Work on the series continues. Demos and individual help with techniques will be available.

Week 10: Finishing touches and class discussion (Admire our work and enjoy some wine & snacks!)

In this Workshop students will learn:

Layout Tips and Tricks
Composition guidelines
Tool demonstrations 
Color mixing and blending 
Texture techniques
Intro to mediums 
Discuss popular abstract painters

Supplies List:All supplies are available at Blick.com or Michael's at reasonable prices. See links below.

At least 3 Canvases Size: no larger than  20"x24" and 1 8"x10"  
Acrylic Paint: A Studio Starter set of 10 colors including Titanium White  
Disposable Palette Paper Pad, whatever size you are comfortable with. 
Plastic Cups or containers, an apron and a couple of small rags for cleaning little messes 

The Studio will supply paper towels and tabletop easels. Mediums will be provided for demonstration purposes but if you are familiar with acrylic painting mediums and already know what you would like to use, you may bring them. 

These are just shopping guidelines. You can bring paint you already have and work with any non-brush tools you like. For the color mixing lesson you should have Red,Yellow, Blue, Black and White. For the rest of the class you may use any colors you like! You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy this workshop. Look for sales at Blick.com (and AC Moore if they are still in business!)