In this three-day workshop we will look at the application of a thin paint “Imprimatura” layer with thick paint “Impasto” using acrylic colours, plus mediums, Heavy Gel and Molding Paste to extend the paint’s thickness. “Imprimatura” colours will form the foundation colour (thin) layer that will accent the top expressive thick layers. Using Heavy Gels and or Molding Paste creates a painted 3-dimensional surface. This can be built up with brushes, palette knives or any other form of scraping tool that an artist wishes to use. Either representational painting or abstraction can be successfully arrived at with this technique. Artists from Soutine to Tom Thomson relied on thick undulating brush strokes applied over Imprimatur coloured foundations for their personal image expression. Canadians Jean-Paul Riopelle and Harold Klunder both used this technique with palette knives, scrapers and brushes in their abstract works. If you don’t wish to be a finicky or realist painter, then this technical approach is a suitable technique to discover. Through instructor demonstration, Power Point slide show presentations and practical application, students will be introduced to this versatile painting process.
Base Tuition: $290 + Materials Fee: $20 = Total: $310
Notes: Previous drawing and painting skills are essential for this workshop. This is an acrylic techniques workshop. This is not appropriate for an absolute beginner.*Note: TSA will provide Acrylic medium (for thin applications & Heavy Gel for thick applications.)
Materials - for students to provide
Paints: for students who do not already have acrylics, the minimum palette requirements are listed below.
*Note: for students who have full bodied acrylics, (tubes), it is not necessary to purchase the fluid acrylics suggested below. Some students may wish to use Golden’s Open Acrylics. They stay wet longer and allow for longer blending time, (not mandatory).
Acrylics: Golden or Tri Art brand Heavy Body Acrylics in 60 mil tubes.
Acrylic Mediums: supplied by TSA: Fluid matte medium and Heavy gel gloss.
Brushes and Painting Knife(s); Hogs Bristle or Synthetic brushes.- (long handled)
Rounds - # 1, 4, 6, 10 Flats or Filberts - # 1, 4, 6, 10 – If you have a lot of brushes, bring what have before purchasing more
1 – Sabeline # 2 – (short handle) used for signature/detailing brush
2 – Steel Painting Knifes – 30mm wide blade, on pointed palette knife
1 - 38 mm Synthetic Bristle – house painting brush. Used for applying Gesso etc
Palettes: if you already have a Masterson Sta-Wet palette + palette sheets please bring this with you. For students who not have the above, a palette pad or small snap lid containers will work.
Sketchbook suggestion: a sketchbook with a minimum paper weight of 90lbs.
Robert Bateman sketchbook: The 110lb paper is acid and chlorine free and is extremely durable even when used with water based paints. The Robert Bateman Sketchbook is available with fifty sheets in 11"x14" wire bound books @ Curry's Art Supplies.
Drawing supplies:
One or two watercolour pencils. These are for implementing foundation drawings on the canvas.
Note: Watercolur pencil colour should be either a middle grey or yellow ochre, so as not to be intrusive to the finished work.
Pens or pencils, for doing thumbnail sketches in sketchbooks.
Source Images: This technique is suitable for Abstraction, landscape or still life painting. Students will provide photos or previous sketches that they wish to turn into finished works.