Dynamic Composition: Designing Eye-Catching Paintings in Acrylics
w/ Jed Dorsey
Some Experience is Necessary.
Date/Time: Friday -Saturday / Sept 25-26 / 10:30-4:30
Note: Depending on COVID-19 status, this workshop may need to be postponed or transferred to an online format. More information will be coming, as soon as we know. Registered students will be notified via email.
Cost: $275
Registration: Call in, come in, or register online. 425.697.2787
Location: Cole Art Studio, located on the lower level of Cole Gallery. 107 5th Ave S, Edmonds WA 98020
Description:
We've all been there. You work for hours on a painting and then step back, only to realize your painting is so... (yawn)... boring. You love the subject matter, but your finished painting lacks interest. Does this resonate?
Well if this is you, more than likely, your main problem is simply the lack of a good design. The good news is you can grow, and this workshop will help you gain tangible tools to help you.
Over two days together, you will gain:
1) a proven framework for your painting process,
2) a base of knowledge and tools to help you create beautiful paintings that are well designed and interesting no matter what the subject matter is, and
3) the freedom and confidence as an artist to make your painting what you want instead of being enslaved to paint exactly what you see in front of you.
You’ll learn a lot through class instruction and demonstrations, as well as individual attention on your own paintings and process. You’ll be encouraged and will grow in your painting skills in this fun, hands-on practical workshop.
You will have the opportunity to choose your own images to paint. Bring reference photos (print out before coming, please) or use the photos that Jed will provide.
This workshop is good for those who have at least a little experience painting in acrylics.
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. Most items on this list are available at ARTspot. Questions about these supplies? ARTspot staff are happy to help you. Call 425-640-6408 or email at ARTspotEdmonds@gmail.com.
Jed’s thoughts on acrylic paint: If you can afford artist-grade paint that is great. They are of higher quality than student-grade as they have a higher concentration of pigment. This means the coverage is better which results in easier use, and a nicer end result. If you can’t afford artist-grade, that’s okay. Jed couldn’t either for many years. He only used student-grade paint. For most of the colors, he couldn’t tell a huge difference, but in Cadmium-Free Yellow and Titanium White I never was happy with the coverage of the lesser quality versions. So, if you choose to use student-grade paint, try to purchase your yellow and white in artist-grade if possible.
Note: The names of colors in the list below are from the Liquitex brand. If you use another brand (Jed also often uses Utrecht and Golden) the names might be slightly different, but for these colors they are the same.
If you are using “Liquitex Heavy Body” artist-grade paints these are the names of each color:
1. Cadmium-free Yellow Light
2. Cadmium-free Red Light
3. Quinacridone Red
4. Phthalo Blue (green shade)
5. Ultramarine Blue (red shade)
6. Titanium White
7. Mars Black
PAINT BOX (bead box or nuts/bolts box) - You can buy one of these at any hobby/craft store or possibly a hardware store. This is not a requirement to have, but Jed found it is helpful and really changed what he was able to do with acrylic paints. For this class, we will only be using 7 sections, so the smaller version should work. (Check out the photo of a bead box as shown). That’s the kind Jed uses for plein air painting but has seven spots, so it will be sufficient to hold all of the course’s colors.
PALETTE- Masterson Sta-Wet palette (12x16). This usually comes with a few pieces of palette paper and a sponge and will be enough to get you started. You will probably need to buy more palette paper and perhaps another sponge over time.
CANVASES – Jed recommends canvas board/panels. (You can use stretched canvas on wood frame if you prefer). So you can get lots of practice with design, you will need the following sizes for this workshop:
6x8 - 8 canvases
12x16 - 4 canvases
BRUSHES – Jed’s favorite brushes right now are Catalyst by Princeton flats. They have a “Polytip Bristle”, which has “split ends” or flagged bristles. Jed likes how it paints how it makes the end of the brush softer. He uses sizes 4, 6, 10, 12 & 16, and also a Catalyst round #2. If you don’t want to invest in those brushes at this time, Jed suggests buying a student-grade set that has a variety of sizes - he generally prefers synthetic brushes.
EASEL - Think about whether you want to sit or stand when you paint. A simple tabletop easel is good if you want to sit. A standing easel is good if you want to stand. If you want to paint outside consider buying an easel that is compact and portable. (Cole has several easels you can use. Call to reserve one.)
SKETCHBOOK - Jed like sketchbooks that lay flat. The ones with coils are best at this. It is helpful if sketchbook is smaller in size so it can be slipped in a purse or bag and taken with you outside or other places.
PENCILS - 4B or 6B. These pencils have softer lead so you get a wider range of values when using them.
SPRAY BOTTLE- For keeping paint moist or using on your canvas for a watery effect.
RAGS AND/OR PAPER TOWELS - For dabbing your wet paintbrush.
WATER BUCKETS - For washing brushes. Jed uses two buckets - one for the initial wash and one for the final rinse. (Cole has quite a few water containers for your use.)
Don’t forget something to bring your paintings home in!
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.