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Abstract Painting Short Course | On Campus

Abstract Painting Short Course

Course description

Join the Abstract Painting Short Course and explore the fundamental approaches to making abstract art.

This face to face abstract painting short course explores fundamental approaches to abstraction, helping you develop your unique visual language through colour, gesture, scale, form, and line. Over four days, you will engage in hands-on studio practice, guided experimentation, and live demonstrations to push your creative boundaries.

Through tutor guidance, you'll develop your own visual language while deepening your understanding of painting principles. To enhance your learning experience, the course incorporates references to both contemporary and historical abstract artists and their work.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Learn to draw into abstraction using source references, such as photographs or still life objects.
  • Have a greater understanding of colour theory to bring out the desired outcome in your artwork.
  • Learn how to use different painting mediums and fully understand your tools, to create surface tension, depth and pictorial space.
  • Explore composition and the many ways to achieve convincing and impactful paintings.
  • Pick up practical techniques to enhance your painting process.

Who should attend

This course is suitable for those with an understanding of painting who are looking to explore the limitless possibilities of abstraction in their work.

Great emphasis will be given to various methods of beginning an abstract work such as drawing into abstraction from source material, colour theory, and exploring a number of painting techniques such as glazing and overpainting. Different methods of mark making and use of composition will also be demonstrated with critical advice offered throughout the day.

Clear, easy to understand lessons:

  • Our tutors will explain things in easy to understand, accessible English. If they need to use any special terminology they will make sure they explain what they mean.
  • New methods will be shown to students through live demonstrations, in a way that's crystal clear and easy to understand.

Experience life on campus:

  • Study at Chelsea college of Arts one of London's most prestigious art and design colleges
  • Network and share ideas with students from across the globe
  • Access the technology and materials relevant to your discipline
  • Shop in our college shops for any materials you might need
  • Ask questions of your tutor in real time
  • Receive feedback and critique on your assignments
  • Experience the many sights of London on your down time

A certificate of completion:

  • You've put the work in so we want to make sure you have something to show for it!
  • As long as you attend a minimum of 80% of your classes, we will provide you with a certificate of attendance.
  • We always recommend you attend all of the classes so that you get the most out of the experience!
  • Certificates are great to complement your cv.

Available dates

It can take a few moments for our course dates to load - if there are no available dates, please sign up to our mailing list where new course dates will be announced or browse other courses within your chosen subject area to find an alternative.

Details

Topics covered:

  • Contextual analysis
  • Mark-making and gesture
  • Composition, tone and paint application
  • Paint manipulation, colour and collage
  • Texture and layering
  • Reworking

Materials

Please bring the following items with you on the first day:

  • An A2 canvas board
  • A selection of acrylic paints - including: the primary colours, black, zinc or mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna and yellow ochre
  • Acrylic paint retarder (to slow down drying)
  • Acrylic flow medium
  • Acrylic gel medium
  • A flat paint palette (white or clear), or a palette pad – please ensure that this is not a watercolour palette
  • Water pots
  • A selection of brushes (preferably a mixture of soft and hard)
  • A palette knife
  • An apron or old shirt to protect your clothe
  • Some examples of painters or paintings that inspire you or that you like

While an A2 canvas board is recommended by the tutor, you are welcome to bring additional boards, canvases or other painting surfaces in your preferred size or shape.

Please note - Students should make arrangements to take their work home at the end of the course. Any work that is left in the studio, during or after the course, is at a student’s own risk. In such circumstances students should ensure that work is clearly labelled with their name, course title and dates. Work will be kept for no longer than one month after the end of the course. Please note that we are unable to arrange for the delivery of your work, but would be very happy to prepare this ready for collection should you wish to arrange for a courier.

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Join Abstract painting and explore the fundamental approaches to making abstract art on this 4 day course, developing your understanding of colour, gesture, scale, form, shape and line.

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