Exploring Abstract Acrylics: Lines, Shapes, Color, and Texture

This two-day intensive workshop invites participants to explore the exciting possibilities of abstract painting using acrylics and mixed media. This workshop will be held on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th from 10a-3p each day.

Open to all skill levels, it emphasizes experimentation and process, encouraging artists to play, discover, and develop their own visual language in a supportive, inspiring environment.

Students will explore line, shape, composition, color, and texture using both familiar and new materials. Guided exercises will result in “visual notes” on paper and canvas boards, along with practical charts that provide lasting reference and spark ideas for future projects.

Participants can bring works-in-progress or inspiring references to learn playful ways to adapt, enhance, and build on their ideas with acrylic mediums.

The workshop includes discussion of abstract art concepts, history, and influential artists, along with demonstrations of layering, glazing, and mixing techniques to show how materials and methods affect color, texture, and composition.

By the end, participants will leave energized with practical tools, new techniques, and confidence to continue exploring abstract painting independently, inspired to experiment and create with freedom, creativity, and joy.

*Supplies are not included. All supplies can be purchased at Ethotera as a kit or individually.

Supply List      

Acrylic Paints: (Tube or fluid paints are good, any extra colors you have or want to use are fine too!) 

•      Burnt sienna

•      Cadmium red medium

•      Cadmium yellow medium

•      Cobalt blue

•      Dioxazine purple

•      Mars black or ivory black

•      Naphthol red medium

•      Phthalo blue(green shade)

•      Phthalo green(blue shade)

•      Raw umber

•      Green Gold

•      Titanium white and Titanium Buff or Unbleached Titanium

•      Yellow ochre or Naples yellow

•      Neutral Gray

•      Any metallic paint you like…Bronze, Gold, Copper

Acrylic Mediums: We will cover the use of various mediums throughout the class and come in a variety of finishes such as gloss, satin, matte.  My personal favorites are listed below and are from Golden but there are many choices and we can discuss during the first class.  Bring what you have!

Some suggested mediums are:

•      Regular gel medium –gloss or matte

•      Light Molding paste

•      Glazing liquid 

•      Crackle Paste

•      There are a few sets of mediums and I bring several to share

Any kit by Golden including the Explorer 14 set

Golden Introductory Acrylic Gel Mediums & Molding Paste Set

• Palette: Any palette you have is fine. Styrofoam or paper plates work also.

• One or two palette knives in plastic or metal can be used or you can purchase a pack with a variety or sizes.

• Brushes- assorted sizes for acrylic paint (3 or 4 sizes) I like having a flat brush and a round “fluffy” brush.  

• Any other additional "mark making" tools such as plastic forks, oil pastels, graphite, permanent markers or stencils, stamps can be used for experimental techniques later in the class.

We will be working on developing small sketches on Gessoed paper.

 -8 x 10" or 9" x 12" mixed media paper, canvas paper, watercolor paper or Bristol paper is good for "paint sketching." If you have large sheets of watercolor paper this works as well. 

-4-6 canvas Art boards in smaller sizes such as 8”x8”, 8”x 10” or at the largest 9”x12.”

-Gold leaf sheets and adhesive