Acrylic Painting Workshop: Abstract Art

What you'll learn

Learn how to make an abstract painting with our painting short courses in Sydney!

This introduction to abstract painting is great for beginners, along with those with some previous experience. You will be introduced to some approaches to abstraction in which you can begin to generate imagery using processes that use observation of organic forms and experiencing the different properties of transparent and opaque paint combinations.

The workshop begins with warm-up exercises and experiments on paper in crayon or Texta and will include discussions about composition, colour combinations and impact, and you will make a number of small studies to inform your work on canvas. You will be encouraged to devise composition and assess this as you go.

You will be required to bring two canvases no bigger than 40cm each along with any extra materials and colours you prefer to incorporate. This could include textured materials for stencilling such as doilies or hessian acrylic spray paint (to be used outdoors) and anything else you find interesting and would like to include or use to inspire your work.

All acrylic paints, inks and brushes will be provided in the cost of the course. Your tutor will email you a selection of reference abstract images that you will have time consider prior to class.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Acrylic Painting Workshop, you should be able to:

Understand certain processes by which you can develop abstract motifs
Come up with ideas for starting points of abstract composition and image generation
Working with colour and think about how colours function together and how the different physical properties of inks vs acrylics can work together
Have confidence in devising your own future projects
Take home a couple of pieces of work and prep sketches

Course content

What will be covered in this Acrylic Painting Workshop?

Abstract art techniques
Colour – the expressive use of colour
Composition
Brush and acrylic paint handling

Intended audience

Who is this Acrylic Painting Workshop for?

This abstract art painting workshop course is designed for beginners or more experienced students wanting to learn and practice new techniques.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd)

Course materials

What to bring to class

Two canvases no bigger than 40cm
palette knife, silicon kitchen spatula, or an old credit card
Items for impressing texture such as netting, fabric, combs, forks, leaves, sticks, feathers, sponges, and stencilling letters – use your imagination
Pencil and eraser
4x pieces of A3 paper for sketching
Any favourite paint brushes (we also provide brushes)
Palette (disposable palette pad or old white china plate)
2-3 old cloth rags cut into 20cm pieces
If you would like to work with thicker quality paint, please bring some Impasto Medium to class

What will be provided

Acrylic paints and inks (but feel free to bring your favourite colours to class if you wish)
Paint brushes

Additional information

Please note the following:

Closed-in shoes required
Please wear old clothes
Long hair must be tied back

Course testimonials

Ahmed said: Sally is a great artist, teacher and mentor. I learned a lot and created paintings that I like. The class dynamics were great too. I learned a lot from seeing others' diverse styles.
Wendy said: We had a wonderful time. The course was terrific. You cannot fault the tutor she’s fabulous.
Tonya said: Sally is an exceptional teacher. She worked with each student to encourage and teach technique. We also leant about current and past abstract artists. Our class was practical and informative. Would highly recommend it.
Therese said: I had the best day painting with Nadia at the Abstract Art workshop! She was very insightful and the space was great to work in, with loads of paint and equipment available. It was lively, instructive and fun. My inner-artist has definitely been released! Thanks so much!!!
Mary said: Sally was wonderful, making all feel at ease and supported in exploring a new style.

Course tutors

Sally Mowbray

Sally has amassed more than 20 years of experience in adult art education. She has a Master of Arts (Painting) from the Royal College of Art in London, receiving a distinction for her thesis....

View Sally Mowbray's profile

Classes Online Courses

Acrylic Painting Workshop: Abstract Art

Fri 7 Jun 2024

1 session, 5 hours total

10am - 3pm (UTC+10:00)

2A Gordon St, Rozelle

Sally Mowbray

Please check the materials list for what to bring. An email with reference images for the class will be sent prior to the start date.

When	Time	Where	Session Notes
Fri 7 Jun 2024	10am - 3pm	A1-3: Visual Arts - 2A Gordon St, Rozelle

If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Acrylic Painting Workshop: Abstract Art