Acrylic Painting Workshop: Abstract Art

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