What are acrylics? This two-hour introductory class explores the fundamentals of acrylic painting. Participants will be introduced to a variety of acrylic products, their properties, and their potential.

During this session you will gain an understanding of viscosity (thickness and flow), transparency and opacity, surface qualities (textured, glossy, matte finishes), and pigments and colour behavior.

Students will be encouraged to explore, experiment, and ask questions.

We often add details too soon in the painting process. It is far easier to add detail later than to remove it.
This session focuses on building a strong three-value composition. We will explore value patterns and emphasis to strengthen visual impact.
Should you zoom in or out for the best visual story? Can you change the emphasis by exploration of different value patterns? You will explore the power of value contrast and a value hierarchy.

Collage is a wonderful way to enrich your acrylic painting practice. In this session, we will embellish a variety of papers for collage using stencils, stamps, writing, Gelli prints, and more.

You'll use these papers in the remaining sessions, and begin to build a collection of unique surfaces for future mixed media projects.

Explore how to successfully incorporate collage into your studio practice during this hands-on workshop. This session will focus on layering, transparency, texture, and composition.
Jean will use a floral subject to demonstrate how to integrate collage into your next masterpiece.

Note: The image shown is representative of the type and style of art Jean will demonstrate during this session. She may choose to use a different floral reference. 

Use the landscape to take your layering adventures to a higher peak!
Jean will use acrylic products in conjunction with collage to develop a ground.

In this workshop, you will consider how you will tell your story, how you will guide the viewer’s eye,
and what you need to reduce in importance.

This session focuses on layering paint and paper, making simple shapes,
identifying a visual pathway of purpose, and compositional strength.

Note: The image shown is representative of the type and style of art Jean will demonstrate during this session. She may choose to use a different landscape reference. 

Use mixed media to develop a unique portrait of a familiar pet or exotic animal. Push your surface interest with texture, collage and paint for an exciting result.

Jean will take you through the steps of developing an interesting ground and pulling out shapes to describe a compelling animal portrait.

Note: The image shown is representative of the type and style of art Jean will demonstrate during this session. She may choose to use a different animal reference.