Advanced / Intermediate
Come learn the processes I use to create striking paintings based on the wonder of the natural world.
In this workshop…
I will discuss each step from starting with a high quality digital capture, evaluating composition, making choices for backgrounds, choosing color palettes, creating an accurate and detailed drawing, using masking or no masking, how to create more drama, and clues for finishing strong.
Hands-on help and instructor demonstrations will be key to your understanding and learning techniques. I will talk about papers I like to use and why as well as brushes, paints and other tools of the trade.
I will furnish the image in advance for the purposes of sketching and masking. We will be studying how to create and paint in color when your subject is white!
The class will be relaxed with no expectations of painting masterpieces. The goal will be for all to learn and have fun!
I look forward to meeting you all and spending time getting to know you. We all learn from each other and these times together are invaluable in personal growth and lifelong enhancement!
Material List
I will supply two images for you to use in this workshop. I suggest sketching the images ahead of time for accuracy. I like to paint on a bit of an angle but am also fine painting flat and don’t tape my paper. It is up to you and how you like to paint, but be sure to bring what you need! Gatorboard, tape, etc.
Painting Surface
Fabriano Artistico (FA) 300# Cold Press natural white is preferred but not mandatory. If you have a favorite paper by all means use it as there are many high quality papers. It is really important to have good paper or you will get very frustrated!
I am using FA 300# or Kilmajaro as they handle transitions between opposite colors well.
Paints
I use a variety of tube paints and enjoy trying new ones all the time. I don’t really get hung up on one specific brand, and my collection includes Michael Harding, Sennelier, American Journey, and Daniel Smith. There can be a wide disparity between manufacturers so watch carefully for what you like best.
Colors that I mostly use (but I am always playing with new ones!) are as follows: yellow ochre, burnt sienna, sap green, phthalo green, hooker’s green, cerulean, ultramarine, cobalt, phthalo blue, Dioxazine Purple, cadmium orange, Cadmium Scarlet, Permanent Rose, opera, bumblebee yellow, cadmium yellow, new gamboge, aureolin, indigo, payne’s gray, indanthrone, permanent brown, transparent brown
Some other personal favs: skip’s green, Andrew’s turquoise, quinacridone gold, cadmium violet, burnt umber, DS cascade green, DS jadite green, DS Green Apatite, DS lunar blue, green gold, quin burnt scarlet
I bring a large selection of paints for students to try if they are in need of or interested in other brands/colors.
Brushes
A few Round brushes and quill mops that come to a good point are my go to brushes. Silver black Velvet , Jack Richeson Grey Matters, DaVinci Casaneo quills ( a favorite!), synthetic Kolinsky and Loew-Cornell brushes. As you can tell, I’m not a brush snob either. One larger and a few smaller sizes, such as (30, 12, 8, 6, 4) and flats , (1”, 1⁄2”). I also use small scrubber brushes, riggers and q-tips to soften edges. I use almost all rounds.
Masking Fluid
Grafix White Mask Liquid Frisket works best for me, but whatever you have is fine. You will need a rubber cement remover and I personally like to use a 1.2 oz squeeze bottle made by Jacquard and a tool called the incredible nib for spreading masking.
Palette
Usually a white plastic tray with separate paint wells to hold paint and interior mixing wells
Other Supplies
Water container, roll of paper towels, q-tips, masking or artist tape, mechanical pencil & white or kneaded eraser, spray bottle.
Cost
$90 for Beach Art Center Members / $110 non-members
Class Fee - $28 per class for Members | $35 per class for non-members