Abstract Painting Course for Beginners

What you'll learn

Learn to paint abstract with our painting short courses in Sydney!

This eight-week course explores the development of abstract painting through a brief  history of modern art, with a particular focus on the trajectory from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism and the gradual breakdown of figurative form. We will look at how artists moved away from representing the visible world towards using colour, shape, gesture and composition as independent forms of expression. Through looking at artists and artworks, students will develop an understanding of the ideas and approaches that underpin abstraction.

Students will explore colour through mixing of the colour wheel and the development of individual palettes, creating small colour studies that explore complementary and contrasting colours, as well as warm, cool, gentle and more expressive combinations. We will investigate mark-making and gesture through a series of small studies inspired by Rothko, Pollock, Lee Krasner and Joan Mitchell, considering the differences between Colour Field painting and Action Painting. Students will then bring an image of their choice, from a photograph or magazine, and learn how to progressively break down its figurative elements through shape, line and composition, transforming the image towards abstraction.

Having explored these processes, students will develop their own abstract painting on canvas over the final weeks of the course, drawing on the techniques, ideas and visual language developed through their studies. The course concludes with a group critique, providing an opportunity to view the completed works together, consider their impact on one another, and identify the strengths and possibilities within each student’s work.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

• An understanding of the art-historical trajectory towards abstraction and Abstract Expressionism.
• An understanding of colour mixing and the ability to develop a specific and considered colour palette.
• An expanded vocabulary of mark-making and gesture.
• An understanding of key compositional elements in abstract painting, including balance, rhythm, movement, scale and negative space.
• The ability to transform a figurative image into an abstract composition.
• Greater confidence in developing an individual visual language through acrylic painting.

Course Content 

Over eight weeks, you will explore:

• The development of abstraction: An introduction to modern art and the movement from Impressionism towards abstraction and Abstract Expressionism.
• Looking at abstract art: Explore selected artists and artworks, considering how colour, shape, line, gesture and composition can function independently from realistic representation.
• Colour and palette: Mix colours using the colour wheel and experiment with complementary, contrasting, warm and cool colour combinations.
• Colour studies: Create small studies exploring colour relationships, mood, intensity and the interaction between colours.
• Mark-making and gesture: Experiment with different ways of applying paint, exploring expressive marks, movement, layering and gesture.
• Colour Field and Action Painting: Look at the contrasting approaches of artists including Rothko, Pollock, Lee Krasner and Joan Mitchell, using their work as a starting point for practical studies.
• From image to abstraction: Work from a photograph or magazine image and progressively simplify and transform the subject through shape, line, colour and composition.
• Composition: Explore balance, rhythm, movement, scale, layering and negative space when developing an abstract image.
• Developing an original work: Bring together the techniques and ideas explored throughout the course to develop an individual abstract painting on canvas.
• Final painting and critique: Complete your work and participate in a group critique, considering the visual impact, strengths and possibilities within each finished painting.

Intended Audience

This course is suitable for beginners and those with some previous painting experience who would like to explore abstract painting.

No previous experience with abstract painting is required. The course is designed for students who are interested in experimenting with colour, mark-making and composition while developing their own approach to abstract painting.

What to Bring

You can either bring your own materials or purchase a materials kit when enrolling.

Option 1: Bring your own materials

Please bring the following materials:

• [Materials list to be added soon]
• [Materials list to be added soon]

Option 2: Purchase a materials kit

A complete materials kit can be purchased at checkout when you enrol in the course.

Kits can be collected from the Front Office on the first session, provided the kit is available. Please note that kits can take up to one week to arrive from the supplier, depending on when the kit is purchased. If you are purchasing a kit, we recommend allowing enough time for it to arrive before your first class.

Additional Information

• Please wear old or comfortable clothing suitable for painting, as acrylic paint can stain clothing.
• Long hair should be tied back during practical painting activities.
• Students should be prepared to work with paint and other art materials throughout the class.
• You will have the opportunity to develop your own ideas and subject matter as the course progresses.
• The course outline is a guide only, and content or activities may vary from time to time to suit the class and the tutor’s approach.