Expressive Abstract Painting

Expressive Abstract Painting

Class | This program is completed

37 Buena Vista Road West Hartford, CT 06107 United States

Clubhouse

Beginner - Intermediate

4/1/2024-4/22/2024

6:00 PM-8:30 PM EDT on Mon

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$135.00

$115.00

Explore expressive abstract painting by experimenting with core art principles and materials and guided by your intuition. In the first two sessions, the instructor will guide you through exercises on paper, practicing with the principles of value, color, shape, and composition.

These exercises will serve as a foundation for the subsequent two sessions where you are invited to explore a painting from beginning to end, with guidance and support from Heather. Join us in a warm and supportive environment, surrounded by like-minded individuals while expanding your abstract painting skills. This course is most suitable for students with at least some experience with acrylic painting.


  • Supply Fee payable to instructor at first class: $5




    Required Student Supplies

    • Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Pad, 18"x24", White. Acceptable alternatives are Acrylic paper, canvas paper or watercolor paper that is at least 140lbs. I do NOT recommend the Canson brand that is 98lbs. Also, you can work in smaller, 9x12” Strathmore mixed media pad.

    • After the first two classes, you can work on the paper, canvas or any other substrate you wish. Instructor will explain the options in the first class if you prefer to wait to purchase any additional substrates.

    • Acrylic paints - Recommend GOLDEN fluids. However, you can work with any brand and type of acrylic paints. This is a good starter GOLDEN set that includes beautiful colors. Colors should include 1 ounce or larger size of Titanium White, Carbon Black, and any variation of Yellow, Red, Blue and at least one other color that you love. Heather will bring some supplemental GOLDEN colors to try but they should not be your main source of paint.

    • An assortment of brushes. I recommend having various sizes and try to have one that is a larger size =at least 1 inch width if not wider. You can use any brushes you wish as long as they are suitable for acrylic. Silver Brush brand , especially the SilverSilk 88 line, is an exceptional acrylic brush. I will have some Silver Brush brushes to for you to try.

    • Fluid Matte Medium - GOLDEN brand recommended, 8 ounces or next smallest bottle. OR regular Matte Medium. Any brand as an alternative is fine.

    • White Gesso GOLDEN recommended but any brand will do.

    • yellow frog tape (can usually be found at Home Depot or most hardware stores in the paint section).

    1” (.94”) Alternatively, Artist Tape in 1” (or close) width.

    • Something flat and sturdy to tape your paper to that is larger than 18x24 such as 20x30. A piece of foam core or cardboard works great. Alternatively, you can purchase a piece of foam core from me for $5.

    Please also bring:
    • A roll of paper towels for clean up (recommend
    Blue shop papers towels from hardware store)
    • Palette for paint. Options include palette paper, freezer paper (found at grocery store), large metal or plastic tray.
    • Palette knife (preferably metal)
    • Plastic container for water. A large yogurt container works well.
    • A ruler • A pencil and/or pen
    • Notebook/Journal for class notes

    Entirely Optional: • Latex Gloves • Apron • Mark making tools such as a brayer, old card for scraping, silicone bowl scraper, color shapers. Or any other mark making tool you like to use
    • Any other favorite art making tool
    • Other (any or all of the following. Teacher will bring many to use): ? Charcoal ? Oil pastels ? Pastel ? Graphite

Heather Neilson is an artist and art educator primarily in abstract painting, collage and art journaling. She has pursued the study of art history and direct art making for the last 25 years, studied at the New York Art Students League and with several master artists. She received her B.A. in Communications from Rutgers University. She is a certified GOLDEN Arts Educator and teaches art workshops to adults and teens in her studio at Whiting Mills in Winsted, CT and throughout the region.