NEW!
Abstract Paintings That Sing - in Oil or Acrylic
w/ Tracy Felix

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Date/Time: Saturday-Sunday / January 19- 20 / 10:30-5pm

Cost: $250

Registration: Call in, come in, or register online. 425.697.2787

Location: Cole Art Studio, located downstairs on the lower level of Cole Gallery.
107 5th Ave S, Edmonds WA 98020

Description:

“I have been painting in this style for many years, and want to share this beautiful technique with people new to painting, or wanting to make the leap from realistic to abstract. I’ve designed this class to give an understanding of both color and composition. But also, how to let go and really enjoy the experience of painting. When you get beautiful colors working together, these paintings can sing.” - Tracy

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Contemporary Style Painting
This class is a great way to get started in contemporary painting even if you have never painted before, or for those with experience who would like guidance on how to get started painting looser, and maybe even bigger! You will have a mix of positive instruction, demos, and time to relax and enjoy the painting experience.

Confidence and Joy
First, Tracy will walk you through a few classic (tried and true, or fool proof!) compositions, and help you plan a color scheme to make your painting sing. She will teach you how to plan, but then “let go” a little bit at a time to really enjoy the feeling of moving paint on the surface of the canvas.

Skills Learned
Students will learn how to plan out their colors and compositions. We will take some time each day to discuss work in progress, so students will gain understanding how to make decisions and corrections as they go. Tracy will “meet you where you are” with lots of individual instruction.

 Paint abstracts with the luminosity of oil or the brightness of acrylics
Tracy is skilled in both acrylic and oil painting techniques. Students are welcome to bring paints they already have (see Supply List for advice on color choices if you are just getting started). Both kinds of paint have their advantages.

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  • Oils are described as “classic, luscious, creamy, and buttery.” They are easier to blend because they do not dry quickly.
  • Acrylics are bright, and dry quickly. A great choice if you want to paint multiple layers. They also work well for mixed media effects like collage, and “watered down” effects, or washes.  Your choice.

Enjoy a Weekend Painting  
This class promises to be a super upbeat, empowering and supportive workshop experience. Give yourself this gift of two full days set aside just for you. Create at least one beautiful abstract painting to take home at the end of class, or two or three! In the long term, this a two-day painting experience that may change the way you paint forever.

To learn more about this instructor, click here.

Supply List:

You can purchase your quality art supplies at ARTspot! Registered students receive a 10% discount on all their art supplies from the time of paid registration until the last day of class. ARTspot carries all items on this list. ARTspot staff are there to advise you about appropriate art materials to fulfill requirements for this or any other classes you may be taking! ARTspot is located half a block west of Cole Gallery/Cole Art Studio at 408 Main Street.  Call 425-640-6408 or email at ARTspotEdmonds@gmail.com.
Artspot's Web Site

Paint
A note from the instructor about paint quality:  “Cheap” student grade paints are not allowed in this class! They result in mucky color mixes and disappointment. If you already have a selection of artist colors, bring what you have. Tracy can review your colors with you at the beginning of class. You can always pop over to ARTspot to pick up additional colors as you need them.

Oil Paint
Required: Artist’s paints. Paints by Gamblin, Graham, or Williamsburg are recommended.  ARTspot has kits for the beginner called ARTspot Basic Oil Paint Kit which would be great for this class. It features Graham Oil Paints. You can add to this color selection as you need them throughout the weekend

Acrylic Paints
Required: Artists paints. Tracy uses and recommends Golden. ARTspot also carries a selection of Graham acrylic paints, in sets or individual colors.

A complete set of colors (Oil or Acrylic) should include one each of the following if your budget allows. It is your choice to bring a more limited color selection, like one blue, one yellow, one red, and one “earth” color. You can always pop over to ARTspot to add colors once you know what you are doing:
(Colors that end in “hue” are fine)

  • Titanium White
  • Cool Yellow such as: Cadmium Yellow Light, Hansa Light, Lemon Yellow or Azo
  • Warm Yellow such as: Cadmium Yellow Medium, or Hansa Medium
  • Cool Red such as: Quinacridone Magenta
  • Warm Red such as: Cadmium Red or Napthol Red Light
  • Light Cool Blue such as: Cerulean, Manganese Blue or Manganese Blue Hue
  • Dark Cool Blue such as: Phthalo or Cobalt
  • Warm Blue: Ultramarine Blue or Anthraquinone (these mix towards the violets)

Plus the following "Earth colors"

  • Burnt Umber
  • Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
  • Any Black
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Optional Additions: (some of my favorites)

  • Buff White
  • Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber
  • Dioxazine Purple  
  • Green Gold

Any color that inspires you is a good color!

Required Supports:
Nothing is more empowering than pulling off a painting that is bigger than you may be used to!
For Day One: One 16x20 or 18x24 stretched canvas. Your choice of 1.5” or 3/4” depth.
For Day Two: One 18x24 stretched canvas. Your choice of 1.5” or 3/4” depth.
Optional: additional 18x18 or 20x20 stretched canvas

Note: It is wise to get the deeper “gallery” depth in heavy weight cotton when buying larger size canvases. They are stout and much easier to paint on.

Required Mediums and associated items for oil painters:

  • 16 or 32 oz. Gamsol. You will be filling a small spray bottle with Gamsol and also using it to clean your brushes. No turpentine, mineral spirits or any "stinky" solvents allowed in studio.
  • Small spray bottle filled with Gamsol. Choose one that has an adjustable nozzle.
  • Brush tank - glass or metal container to hold Gamsol.
  • Optional: Mastersons or Richeson brush cleaning soap

Required Mediums and associated items for acrylic painters:

  • 8oz size of either soft or regular gel medium. Your choice of gloss, satin or matte finish.
  • Small spray bottle filled with water. Choose one that has an adjustable nozzle.
  • Optional: Mastersons or Richeson brush cleaning soap

Brushes: A variety of brushes. Bring what you already have.

  • At least one flat or filbert brush that is a minimum of 1” wide. (size 12-14-ish)
  • At least one flat or filbert brush that is 1/2" to 3/4” wide. (Size 8-ish)

Tracy prefers

  • Connoisseur Synthetic Mongoose
  • Connoisseur 2100 burgundy handled brushes
  • Princeton Catalyst Polytip Synthetic Bristles
  • Simmons XL brushes are great for big paintings too

If you go to ARTspot, try them out and see which appeals to you. Some are softer and some are stiffer.
You are welcome to bring what you already have. Plus bring any brushes you want to experiment with, or to ask Tracy questions about how to use them.

Required:  Metal Palette Knife approx. 3” long blade

Palette: Student choice.
Tracy uses the Mijello Palette with a snap tight lid (can use with oil or acrylics). It reliably saves paint to reuse again!
(or)
A disposable paper palette, and perhaps a tupperware container with a flat bottom to contain paper palette to keep paints from drying out overnight.
(or)
There is also a beautiful system using a New Wave flat palette (glass, wood or "easy release" that fits inside a Masterson airtight container, or can be used separately.  

Other:

  • Floor easel: Sturdy, metal, transportable easel like the “Tahoe.” Cole has a few studio easels you can use in class - call to reserve one or bring your own.
  • Sharpie, pen and/or drawing pencil to sketch and make notes with
  • Sketchbook for notes and making “thumbnail’ sketches - your choice
  • Set of color pencils OR chisel tip or brush markers to create color sketches
  • Paper Towels (blue shop towels recommended for oil painters)
  • Apron or old shirt
  • Large cloth to lay in car to transport wet painting, especially useful with oils.

Cole Studio Supplies:

  • Latex or Nitrile gloves
  • Light Snacks

Check this out! ARTspot Concierge Service. ARTspot will personally do your shopping for you! They can set aside the materials you need, ready for pickup - they can even deliver your supplies to Cole Art Studio before your class. Call ARTspot at 425.640.6408 for this great service. Note: To ensure your order can be filled, please order as early as possible.