Abstracting the Garden

Instructor: Rebecca Madura

Garden Abstractions: Introduction to Abstract Painting from Observation

Description: "There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward, you can remove all traces of reality." ~ Pablo Picasso

Discover the beauty of abstract painting by exploring some of the concepts behind abstract art. In this class, a variety of mark-making, use of color, and painting techniques will be introduced to encourage the development of new ways of applying paint and composing the visual space.

We will look to the garden for inspiration, working from sketchbooks, studies, and reference photographs to produce images based on the garden to develop your own visual language. We will explore the importance of drawing from the source and realistic source material to develop abstract compositions. This class will culminate in a final painting, bringing together all that has been learned to create an abstract nature-inspired painting.

During this workshop, working alla prima, participants will create a small series of abstract paintings exploring different methods of creating abstract works. We will look to examples from the most notable abstract painters of art history, as well as the conceptual ideas behind many contemporary abstract art movements for inspiration.

Participants may work in either oils or acrylics according to their preference and comfort with the media. The focus of this class is to improve visual perception and enhance an understanding of abstract language. The class will help prepare students for continued study of abstract painting through more advanced courses or to explore within one’s individual art practice.

Prerequisites: It is recommended that participants have some painting experience with oils or acrylics. The focus will be primarily on mark-making, composition, and creative processes.

Supplies: If you already have paints/supplies, bring what you have. There will be a variety of oils and acrylics available for experimentation.

Oil Paints: Basic Palette (cool)
*This limited palette is sufficient for most paintings– it is a good starting palette if you don’t already have paints
CERULEAN BLUE
CADMIUM LEMON
ULTRAMARINE BLUE
ALIZARIN CRIMSON
TITANIUM WHITE (large tube)
WINSOR RED
YELLOW OCHRE
RAW UMBER
RAW SIENNA
ULTRAMARINE VIOLET
VIRIDIAN
Optional: Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber

ACRYLICS: Same colors (May substitute Ultra Blue with Phthalo Blue, and Viridian with Phthalo Green)Mediums are optional. There are a variety of acrylic mediums, but if you prefer a longer drying time, a slow-dry medium or retarder would be helpful. For clean up, soap and water is all that is needed.

OILS:
A painting medium such as Galkyd, Liquin, or Neo Megilp.
Solvent (optional) Gamsol, or other odor-less turpentine substitute
baby oil or safflower oil (for brush clean up)
NOTE: solvents (gamsol,turpentine, turpenoid etc...) are not absolutely necessary! However, you are welcome to bring some. Oil brushes can cleaned with baby/veg oil, and soap and water. Well cleaned brushes will last until you wear them out!

BOTH OIL and ACRYLIC Painters:
-Rags or good quality paper towels (I like the blue automotive towels),
-Enamel, glass, or disposable palette. (Dollar store baking sheets, glass plates also work well)
-Palette knife.
-Brushes- various sizes (ie. 2,4,6,8,10,12,14) ...Brights or filberts. A couple of rounds (small or medium) maybe be useful. Sable (synthetic), natural white bristle or other Synthetic mixed brushes are recommended. There are some quality value packs of a variety of sizes and types available at most art stores are a good to start.
-Painting supports and surfaces: sketchbook or other drawing paper, small sized (9” x 12”)canvas (stretched or unstretched), canvas panel, canvas paper, gessoed cardboard or arches, or a pad of ARCHES oil paper for beginning pieces of various sizes. For final painting, you will need a canvas or other painting surface (such as prepared wood panel) 16” x 20” or larger.

You will receive an email prior to the first class with more information.

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Fall 2024

10/31/2024

12/12/2024

9:00 AM

12:00 PM

THU

3rd Floor

330

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