Create colorful abstract works of art! In this acrylic painting class for beginners and advanced students, you will learn everything you need to know about painting with acrylics: their properties, mixing colors, the basics of color theory and value contrast as an important design tool for any composition. You will assemble a color palette for your class project and practice various painting techniques, such as using a palette knife, dry brushing, and glazing. Additionally, we will incorporate mixed media elements with drawing tools and collage to create a cohesive series of four expressive abstract paintings.
This class is suitable
- for beginners who have never painted with acrylics before,
- for advanced students who want to start with abstract painting
- and also people who simply feel like a creative painting project.
The theory and techniques you learn in this course will provide an excellent foundation for your future creative projects and artwork.
Overview of exercises:
(a) Viscosity & transparency, (b) Mixing colors, (c) Value scale & value distribution, (d) Color & value, (e) Harmonizing colors & creating a color palette, (f) Painting knife, (g) Dry brushing, (h) Glaze, (i) Pattern, (j) Gestural lines
MATERIALS:
You can find the materials list as a PDF in the “Projects & Resources” section available from your desktop computer.
ACRYLIC PAINTS
- 3 primary colors (cyan, magenta & yellow / blue, red & yellow)
- white, black
Alternatively: The colors you already have at home.
PAPER
- watercolor paper 200 gsm (135 lbs) (for the exercises)
- acrylic painting paper 400 gsm (270 lbs) (e.g. CANSON® Acrylic / FABRIANO® Pittura Acrylic)
Alternatively: mixed media paper or watercolor paper with at least 250 gsm (170 lbs)
PAINTING TOOLS
- flat brush, approximately No. 10
- round brush, approximately No. 2
- large bristle brush / large flat brush / painters brush from the hardware store
- painting knife / plastic card
DRAWING TOOLS
- Oil pastels / colored pencils / pencils / acrylic markers / brush pens / SENNELIER Abstract Acrylic Liners / …
COLLAGE
- Glue (matte medium / gloss medium) / Alternatively: PVA Glue / school glue / white glue
- tissue paper / textured paper / magazines
VARIOUS MATERIALS
- palette (plate / tear off palette / plastic foil)
- water container
- spray bottle (optional, to keep the paints wet)
- cutting mat / cardboard
- ruler (ideally metal with a cutting edge)
- utility knife / scissors
- pencil
- masking tape / painters tape / Washi-Tape
- pieces of corrugated cardboard (e.g. from a package)
Want to learn more?
Check out my course Unlock Your Creativity: Mark Making with Everyday Objects to get even more creative ideas for your abstract artwork!
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Track: Hawaiian Weekend — Igor Khainskyi [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/7O0WVaaB_x8
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/hawaiian-weekend
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