Expressive Abstract Painting

Expressive Abstract Painting

Class | Available

37 Buena Vista Road West Hartford, CT 06107 United States
Clubhouse
Beginner - Intermediate
9/10/2025-10/29/2025
2:00 PM-4:30 PM EDT on Wed
$195.00
$175.00

Expressive Abstract Painting

Class | Available

Explore expressive abstract painting and build your abstract painting skills and confidence.

You will be guided through exercises on the principles of value, color, shape, composition and more. You will also learn how to use GOLDEN acrylic paint and assorted mark-making tools.

Beyond structured exercises, you’ll learn to trust your intuition, cultivate mindfulness, and embrace your artistic voice. Learn to tame the inner critic in a warm and non-judgmental setting and bring your full human experience to your art.

  • Student Supply Fee $5.00
  • Required Student Supplies
    • Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Pad, 18"x24", Acceptable
    alternatives are Acrylic paper, canvas paper or watercolor paper that
    is at least 140lbs.
    • Every other class, starting with the first class, we will work on the
    paper above. On alternating weeks, you can choose to work on any
    substrate you wish such as the same paper as above, canvas, wood
    or anything else suitable for acrylic paint. However, you might find
    that you love to work on the mixed media paper and no additional
    substrates are necessary.
    • Acrylic paints -
    Recommend GOLDEN Fluids. However, you can work with any brand
    and type of acrylic paints.
    Colors should include 1 ounce or larger size of:
    • Titanium White
    • Carbon Black
    • 2-5 variations of cool colors (Blues, Greens, Violets)
    • 2-5 variations of warm colors (Yellows, Reds, Oranges).
    Here are some of Heather’s favorite colors and links (note: these are
    just ideas and not required):
    Warms:
    Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Azo Gold, Quinacridone Magenta,
    Alazarin Crimson, Napthol Red Medium, Titan Buff, Van Dyke Brown,
    Burnt Umber
    Cools:
    Paynes Gray, Cerulean Blue Deep, Ultramarine Blue, Teal, Green
    Gold, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Titan Green Pale, Permanent Violet
    Dark

    • An assortment of brushes. I recommend having a few sizes. Have
    one that is at least 1 inch width or wider. You can use any brushes but
    soft synthetic bristles are great for fluid acrylic paints. This
    Silverbrush SilverSilk 88 1 1/2" brush is exceptional.
    • Fluid Matte Medium - GOLDEN brand recommended, 8 ounces or
    next smallest bottle. OR regular Matte Medium. Any brand is fine.
    • White Gesso GOLDEN recommended but any brand is fine.
    • Yellow frog tape - 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 a 20x30 piece of foam core. A piece of foam core or
    thick cardboard works great.
    Please also bring:
    • A roll of paper towels for clean up (recommend Blue shop papers
    towels from hardware store)
    • Flat Palette for paint. Options include palette paper, freezer paper,
    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
    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.
    • Other (any or all of the following. Teacher will bring some to use):
    ? Charcoal
    ? Oil pastels
    ? Graphite
Heather Neilson

Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist with over 30 years of experience in the studio. She studied at the Art Students League of New York and has trained with several master artists, continuously evolving her process through exploration and experimentation. Over the past decade, Heather has also been an active and passionate art educator, trained by GOLDEN Paints, and committed to helping others tap into their creative voice. Before pursuing art full-time, she worked professionally in marketing and holds a B.A. in Communications from Rutgers University—experience that continues to inform her approach to the creative practice and teaching.