Acrylic Painting I: Intro to Landscapes

Instructor: Robin Adair
Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm
10 weeks: January 23 to March 27
Location: In-person Williams Building 306
$387.50 (supplies not included)
Prerequisite: None

In this course, students will be introduced to a range of styles and approaches to landscape painting with the acrylic medium. We will explore a variety of subjects, from skies to prairie fields to mountain scenes while learning from the methods of renowned painters, such as Emily Carr, Tom Thomson, John Constable, and Dorothy Knowles. This class is for both beginner and intermediate level painters who want to develop and hone their craft in a supportive environment where individual expression is highly encouraged. 

Syllabus

  • Brush handling and colour principles
  • Master study: Dorothy Knowles
  • Painting trees
  • Master Study: John Constable
  • Painting clouds
  • Master study: Emily Carr
  • Painting Mountains
  • Master study: Tom Thomson    
  • Painting Water and Rocks
  • Independent work

Supplies

  • Brushes: A variety of acrylic brushes, either synthetic or hog hair bristles (ranging in size from 2-12). I recommend filberts, flats, rounds, fans, and flat angled brushes
  • Palette knives: 3 palette knives (either plastic or metal). I recommend finding different sizes of the trowel (diamond shaped) blade. Many stores will carry assorted packages of plastic knives, which are also suitable
  • Paint: I Recommend heavy body paint and the following pigments. Please note: the names given in this list are based on the ones used by Golden brand paints. If you buy other brands, you will find some variance in the way the names match the pigments
    • Titanium White
    • Cadmium Yellow Medium
    • Cadmium Yellow Light
    • Cadmium Red Medium
    • Alizarin Crimson
    • Quinacridone Magenta
    • Ultramarine Blue
    • Cobalt Blue
    • Cyan Blue
  • Paint palette: A large palette (around 12x16 inches). You can purchase plastic, metal, or ceramic palettes at any local art store; or, you may use your resourcefulness –  i.e. an old plastic Tupperware tray will work just fine. I will also teach you how to make your own wet palette. For this you will need paper towel, parchment paper, and bulldog clips  
  • White Gesso: 33 oz container
  • Acrylic gel medium: regular gel medium in either Golden or Liquitex brands is recommended
  • Cotton rags
  • Masking tape
  • Supports: I will be using 11x14 Bristol board (325 lb.) for my in-class demonstrations. However, feel free to use whatever kinds of supports (canvas, board, or paper) you prefer