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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Michelle McCauley-Tacon

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