Intro to Acrylics – Materials, Light & Shadow

Intro to Acrylics – Materials, Light & Shadow

Class | Available

140 East Main Street Tuckerton, NJ 08087 United States
TBD
Beginner
2/25/2026 (one day)
11:00 AM-3:00 PM EDT on Wed
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$65.00
$55.00

Intro to Acrylics – Materials, Light & Shadow

Class | Available

Curious about acrylic painting but not sure where to begin? Join teaching artist Kim Cesaretti for a hands-on introduction to acrylics designed specifically for adult beginners!  

In this inspiring four-hour workshop, you’ll explore the essentials—how to choose and use your materials, how acrylic paint behaves, and how to use light and shadow to bring your paintings to life.

You’ll start with simple, guided exercises to create a value scale, learn to see light and dark patterns, and practice shading a sphere to achieve depth and volume. Then, you’ll apply your new knowledge in a finished black-and-white painting of a spherical object—such as an apple, orange, or ball—focusing on how light defines shape and space.

Perfect for beginners, this workshop helps you build a strong foundation in observation, value, and brushwork that will support every painting you create in the future.

Class Goals:

By the end of this class, students will:

- Learn about the parts of light: highlight, midtone, core shadow, reflected light, and cast shadow.
- Understand how to create and use a value scale in black and white.
- Practice sketching and shading a sphere to achieve realistic form.
- Gain control over blending and layering values using acrylic paint.
- Create a finished black-and-white painting of a spherical object demonstrating accurate light and shadow.
- Develop an eye for observing light patterns and translating them into paint.

What to Expect:

During this four-hour class, you will:

- Begin with a brief overview of acrylic materials and setup.
- Create a 5–7-step value scale to understand tonal range.
- Learn to sketch a sphere and identify the different parts of light.
- Practice painting smooth transitions from light to dark.
- Complete a small black-and-white still life painting of a sphere-shaped object (fruit or simple form).
- Receive individualized feedback and guidance throughout the session.

You’ll leave with:

- A completed black-and-white painting demonstrating realistic light and form.
- A personal value scale and practice studies for future reference.
- A stronger understanding of how to use value to create depth and dimension.
- Confidence with acrylic materials, brush handling, and blending techniques. 


  • Students can pay the instructor a $10 cash fee for all class supplies 

    OR

    For students who want to bring their own supplies, click here.  
Cesaretti, Kimberly
Kimberly Cesaretti

Kim was born in northern New Jersey, residing in Elizabeth and Hillside prior to moving “down the shore” with her family to Lanoka Harbor in December, 1971, where she and her two younger sisters were raised. She has been an artist since early childhood, from the moment she could pick up a crayon and make marks on paper. While a student attending Lacey Township High School, Kim participated in the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival where her watercolor work was chosen to tour the state. Also, one of her oil paintings won second place in the New Jersey State Congressional Art Competition in her senior year. After high school, Kim attended the prestigious Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. She continued her education at Ocean County College (OCC) and, while a student there, Kim landed a job as a Graphics Artist at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst (NAWCADLKE), NJ. She continued her career there after earning her Associate Degree in Fine Arts from OCC and then went on to earn a degree in Art Education from Georgian Court College in May 1995. Upon graduation, Kim received the Art Award from the Art Department at GCC and the Dean’s Medal of Academic Excellence (Highest GPA, Evening Division). While still employed as a Graphics Artist at NAWC, Kim earned a Master of Science in Systems Management with a Certificate in Technology Management from Capitol College, Laurel, MD in May 1998. After a seven year career as a Graphics Artist, Kim took the opportunity to enter the acquisition field in the Department of Defense as a Contract Specialist in August, 1997. Then, in January, 2000, Kim was hired as an Adjunct Instructor at Georgian Court College/Georgian Court University to help start and develop a web design program for the Art Department. Kim married her husband, Albert, in October, 2000. They have two daughters.