Acrylic ABSTRACT with a Painting Knife. Part 1
What you'll learn
- Paint a dynamic Abstract with only 2 Primary Colours and White
- Do a Colour Mixing exercise first to prepare you for the featured Abstract
- How to layout and organize the Colours on your Palette
- Paint with Crimson - Lemon and White and mix Secondary Colours and Tints
- Mix clean colours with your Painting Knife
- Paint using pieces of Cotton Rag and a Painting Knife blending edges and colours together
- Create a Focal Point with contrast so that the eye is drawn to it
- Place bright accents on the Focal Point that pop and give the painting a 3D effect
- Use the tip of the Painting Knife to scratch marks into the paint to create visual interest and texture
- Paint a Mini Abstract at the end as a fun exercise
Requirements
- No previous knowledge or experience is necessary
- You will need 2 primary colours and some basic painting materials. These will be listed in the materials video
- Bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn some simple fundamentals and have fun getting creative
Description
This Acrylic Abstract Painting course will have you painting this dynamic Abstract right from the start. You will mix clean colours and apply them to your canvas using pieces of Cotton Rag and the Painting Knife. You will start by doing a simple Colour Mixing Exercise using the Painting Knife to mix and apply the colours. The purpose of this is to introduce you to the colours and tints that you will be mixing for the featured Abstract in this course!
The composition for this Abstract is simple and you will learn how to mix colours effectively with just 2 Primary Colours and White. You will also mix a variety of a Secondary Colour and a range of Tints with the addition of White. You will also create a Focal Point with colour accents that pop off the canvas so that the eye is drawn to it.
The colour theme for this Abstract is based on rich dark Crimsons, Burnt Oranges and bright Lemons. Understanding how to create a colour theme and focal point and mix clean colours and tints is vital to the success of any Abstract Painting.
If you have no previous knowledge or experience of painting Abstracts, by following this easy step by step course you will quickly learn the fundamentals of how to mix colours and tints. You will enjoy using your Painting Knife and pieces of Cotton Rag to apply the paint to your canvas and also blend the edges of your colours together.
You will start painting immediately using pieces of Rag to block in the main areas of colour. Applying the paint this way is a fun and enjoyable way to get you started and it will help you to keep a loose approach. You will then use your Painting Knife to develop the Abstract applying thick colours and use the tip of the Knife to scratch marks into the wet paint to create shapes of visual interest and texture!
I will demonstrate each step so that you can watch and paint along with me as you progress through the course. You will see plenty of close ups of colour mixing on the palette and applying the paint to the canvas with rags and knife.
I know that you will really enjoy the freedom of painting using the techniques in this course and at the same time you will gain a good understanding of how to mix colours successfully. Also you’ll have a great amount of fun in the process! Here’s to your enjoyment! Let's paint Abstract!
Who is the ABSTRACTS in ACRYLICS instructor?
My name is Gerald Ashcroft Artist and Teacher and I have run many Abstract and Landscape workshops over the years.
I have created this course for beginners who want to discover the freedom and fun of Abstract Painting with pieces of Cotton Rag and a Painting Knife. I want to show you just what you can achieve by using a very limited palette of colours to create an Abstract with a Colour Theme that works!
Workshop Testimonials Western Australia:
Prior to joining Gerald’s Abstract Workshop I had no experience painting since I left school several decades ago. With great patience, Gerald guided our group through colours, mixing shades & different techniques with painting knife, brush to good old gravity. From being very apprehensive at the beginning, I gained much needed confidence with Gerald’s step by step approach.
My opinion of my own ability has grown in a positive way since these workshops & I now look forward to putting brush to canvas on a regular basis.
Liz Perth WA
This is just a note to thank you for your excellent recent workshop.
As usual you displayed a high degree of professionalism and knowledge coupled with a friendly, encouraging manner.
Your classes are always enjoyable and importantly your style of teaching, which is focused and structured, enables real learning to take place. I particularly appreciated your emphasis on tone and the 'blocking in' method you taught and found it to be very helpful.
Thank you and I look forward to the next workshop!
Chris Perth WA
I think what I enjoyed most about my course in Painting Landscapes with Gerald Ashcroft was his gentle way of putting everyone at ease, regardless of our experience or level of skill. Genuinely interested in each student, he encouraged us to explore techniques and research other opportunities to develop our practice.
Jo Perth WA
Who this course is for:
- Beginners who want to start their journey into Abstract Painting with acrylics
- Students with some experience who want to move on and discover a simple approach to Abstract Painting
- Students who have tried to create abstracts and have become overwhelmed and frustrated by using too many colours and end up with a muddy painting
Instructor
Hello I'm Gerald a West Australian artist originally from the UK specialising in Landscapes and Abstracts using oils acrylics and pastels.
My journey into painting Australian landscapes began in the late 80's. The rich colours dynamic shadows and brilliant light triggered my enthusiasm and an urgency to start painting out in the open air known as 'en plein air'
I was a lecturer for 6 years at the School of Art Design and Media with the West Australian Department of Training and I have been painting landscapes and abstracts in oils acrylics and pastels for over 25 years.
During the last 10 years I have run many landscape and abstract workshops for groups couples and individuals and have a passion for helping people break through their self limitations. I have seen new students struggle and become frustrated whilst trying to make their paintings work. I've also seen the amazing transformation in students whose confidence and self belief has grown during my workshops. They were able let go have some fun in the process and give themselves permission to paint without any self expectations!
I'm excited and look forward with enthusiasm to sharing and bringing my many years of experience as an artist and teacher online. My mission is to help as many students as possible discover their abilities and talents during their journey into creating both Landscape and Abstract Paintings.