ONLINE Back to Basics: An Introduction to Acrylics

Tutor: Karen Carter

Wed 11th May 10am - 12pm
(UK timings)

£38.00

This LivePlus™ online workshop forms part of our 'back to basics' range of classes,  and is specifically designed for absolute beginners and those looking to build confidence using particular materials. 

​Workshop details
By popular request, this two-hour beginners class will look at painting with acrylics.

We’ll start off with the absolute basics covering tools, materials and colour mixing. There will be colour exercises to learn to use the primaries – which can appear very brash in acrylics. We will also discuss basic mediums & brushes – what to buy and how to use them.

We will explore blocking in and building up - this is all about using acrylics in layers….the default way to use them without additives. Acrylics can also be used to mimic a watercolour style – although they have different properties to watercolour – which we will explore using brushes & dip pens. They can also be thickened to mimic the look of oil paints and used in an impasto technique with bristle brushes and palette knives.

Acrylics are endlessly versatile – you can combine them with mixed media and even print with them. They are very forgiving and are a perfect medium for beginners and professionals alike. Once you have the basics under your belt you can experiment with all sorts of creative ways to use them.

Students are encouraged to work along with Karen 'live' if they would like to.  The class will still be recorded and all students will be provided with access to watch the recording as many times as they like for 30 days.

Specific skills you will learn at the workshop:

• Colour mixing using ‘Process Colours’
  
• Tools & materials – suitability for working with acrylics
  
• Mediums and their uses
  
• Different techniques and approaches: thick/thin, transparent/ opaque etc.

Materials & equipment list
Materials are not included in the course fee. All the materials and equipment you will need are listed below.
​

• Medium weight cartridge paper for exercises A4
  
• Heavyweight watercolour or mixed media paper (200gsm or heavier) A4
  
• Acrylic paints: Process Cyan, Process Magenta, Process Yellow, Black, White (I would recommend Daler Rowney System 3)
  Brushes – whatever you have – I would recommend a flat synthetic, a round synthetic and a bristle brush
  
• Palette knife if you have one
  
• Polystyrene food packaging & craft knife / scissors
  
• Dip pen or feather
  
• Mixing palette / plate  (I will show you how to make a cheap ‘stay-wet’ palette)
  
• Optional mediums: Heavy Structure Gel or Impasto gel (don’t buy specially)
  
• Kitchen roll
  
• Water pots
  
• Apron or old shirt (essential – acrylics are waterproof when dry!)