ABSTRACT STILL LIFE CLASS
An experimental playful art class to help you create beautiful abstract art
Use the objects in your home to inspire abstract and semi abstract acrylic paintings.
If you’re looking for an art process to help you create beautiful abstract and semi abstract still life art then this class, Objects to Abstracts, full of playful drawing and painting may be just right.
HERE’S WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS ONLINE CLASS:
In this class you’ll learn how to use objects in your home as a starting point for abstract paintings. We will explore finding inspiration in our daily life and homes and turning this inspiration into beautiful and unique drawings and acrylic paintings.
In the nearly 2.5 hours of video I will share lots of techniques, wisdom and theory to guide you through a comprehensive process of selecting objects, arranging them, photographing them, drawing them and then using our visual notes and drawings to inspire abstract acrylic paintings.
We will cover:
How other artists have used objects from their everyday to create fascinating abstract and semi abstract art
What abstract art is
Ways to put together a still life arrangement and compositional tricks and advice to use in all your art making
A playful drawing process to unpack what you love about your objects and then your own drawings
Ways to start and develop an abstract acrylic painting
Demonstrations of different painting and paint application techniques
The emphasis of this class is on experimentation, discovery and play
I’ll take you through the process step by step, sharing lots of advice and lots of art making insights and you’ll learn how to find interesting starting points for your art making all around you.
If you want to get loose and experimental but are not sure where to start, this class shares ways to start and gives you a powerful technique you can develop and make your own. It’s a positive and playful class which shares helpful processes to make your art feel more dynamic and interesting.
The class consists of nine videos, nearly 2.5 hours in total. English subtitles are included and can be turned on or off.
WHY IS THIS A USEFUL ART TECHNIQUE?
This is a thorough and comprehensive approach to making beautiful art which feels like yours
There is something joyous about connecting with the objects and things in our life and using them to inspire our art making
These techniques can be explored over and over again and lead to a rich and diverse body of work
It is a process which not only connects us to the items in our life but also connects us to our unique visual sensibilities and can lead to wonderful discoveries about the ways in which we like to create art
This class provides ideas and insights about how to start, develop and resolve an acrylic painting including demonstrations and practical ideas
My hope is that this class will allow you to create with a playful freedom and delight in what you discover along the way
This approach can be part of your art tool-kit for life, it is wonderfully adaptable and can support discovery and experimentation at any point in your art making journey
WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?
This class is aimed at folk who have a little art making experience. We will be drawing and painting from things in our home, so this isn’t a class where you can just copy exactly what I am doing. I will provide clear instructions but it will require a little '‘have a go spirit“. If you are a total beginner your mindset is probably more important than your experience, it will suit those who are creatively curious and happy to have a go and try things out without knowing exactly where it will take them.
PAYMENT
The class costs £40. You can pay via credit card, debit card or Paypal. The currency of my store is British Pounds (GBP) but the class is available to anyone in or outside of the United Kingdom.
I have been lucky enough to welcome students to my classes from America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and beyond.
If you are paying in a currency that isn’t GBP the conversion will be handled by your payment provider (ie Paypal or your card).
14 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
If you’re not satisfied with OBJECTS TO ABSTRACTS for whatever reason, you're covered by my no-questions-asked 14-day 100% money back guarantee.
TESTIMONIAL
“What an outstanding class. Your acrylic paint demos were so thorough. I now have options galore!
Laura B
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
CAMERA OR CAMERA PHONE
We will be putting together a collection of objects from our home and then using cameras or phones to photograph them in various ways. For this class I do specifically recommend photographing them and working from a photograph. As such some sort of camera and a way to view your photographs is required. A print out of your photo is ideal, but if you don’t have a printer you can work from the photo on your screen or device.
PAPER
We will be creating a pile of experimental drawings and a series of acrylic studies. I will be using the same paper for both my drawings and paintings, you will need a good pile of paper circa 15-20 sheets (I’ll be using Fabriano 200gsm or 90lb). I recommend you use A4 size paper or similar (US letter size). As we will be completing lots of studies rather than large finished pieces, I recommend working on smaller paper initially…
You do not need to use the same paper as I am using any mixed media paper will work such as Strathmore Mixed Media paper or Canson XL mixed media paper.
ESSENTIAL MATERIALS:
A camera or phone (see above)
Acrylic paint and brushes - any type you have. I am using Sennelier Abstract acrylic heavy body paint which has a satin finish
Plate/tray or palette, paper towel or rag for cleaning brushes, water jar
Mark making tools such as old cardboard, old credit cards, old cutlery
Paper (see above)
Paper glue (a glue stick, an acrylic medium or pva etc) and scissors
Drawing materials: pencils or pens
NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT ESSENTIAL:
Access to a printer
Parchment paper to be used as a disposable palette
A brayer roller for mark making
This class centres around drawing and acrylic paint so some drawing tools and some painting tools are essential But if you don’t have the exact combination of art materials outlined above you can still use the essence of this class to make interesting and experimental art. I encourage you to use whatever art supplies you have…
TESTIMONIAL
Wonderful tutorial...It is a real booster for creativity and experimenting with new techniques...Highly recommended
Agnes M
THIS CLASS MAY NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU:
This class is not for you if:
You want to know exactly how something will turn out before you have started creating it
If you want to copy an instructor. I will provide clear instructions, but as we are using our own objects this is not the type of class where you just copy exactly what I’m doing
If abstract art is not your thing
If a messy or unpredictable outcome puts you off
If experimentation doesn’t appeal
If the idea of experimental drawing and experimental painting sounds too daunting. But do note this class does not require you to be a ‘good’ drawer, we are using drawing to take notes, not create finished drawings
If you are not interested in hearing a little art theory or some thoughts on composition
If you want bespoke and personalised feedback on your work
HOW DOES THIS CLASS WORK?
Once you have signed up you will receive a link to our classroom with instant access to the course. It is hosted here on my website. You are able to log in at any time from my website.
You decide upon your own password and will have access to all the content immediately.
This means you can work through it at a pace which feels just right to you; you can binge watch it, watch it over a number of days, or come back and dip in to re-visit and re-watch it as you like, when you like. You will have complete access to all content for TWELVE MONTHS.
ABOUT ME
I am a full time artist and the author of Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage and Confidence which was published by Quarry Books in 2020. I am passionate about sketchbooks and art journals as a creative tool for expression and discovery. My greatest hope is that I can help inspire and encourage others to find their own creative voice by experimenting.