Abstract Painting

This workshop will take you from a blank canvas to fully realised works of art over the period of 7-weeks. Through individual practice and demonstrations, you will explore the fundamental approaches to abstract painting, such as colour, line, scale and texture.

Working from photographs, objects and memory, you will be able to develop your own unique visual language and style in a fun and contemporary way.

This course is suitable for all levels, from absolute beginner to intermediate to advanced.

Materials

Students are asked to bring the below materials to class:

 "For the first few weeks of the course, we will focus on mixing colours from the primary colours, so you won’t need any secondary colours just yet. When it comes to materials, please don’t feel the need or feel pressured into buying expensive materials! (It is totally up to you).

Acrylic paint:

• Red (Cadmium Red or Alizarin Crimson or Primary Red)
• Blue (Ultramarine Blue or Cerulean Blue or Primary Blue)
• Yellow (Cadmium Yellow or Lemon Yellow or Primary Yellow)
• White
• Black

Other colours are optional but won’t be used for a few weeks: greens, purples, oranges, pinks etc. The types of colours mentioned above are just a suggestion. Any type of red/blue/yellow should do.

Brushes:

You will need a range of sizes, which you can find in any art, craft or DIY store. Feel free to buy painting & decorating brushes or to buy artist quality brushes. It is up to you.

Surfaces:

In the first few weeks of the class, I would like to work on paper before moving to a canvas.

• Watercolour paper
• Acrylic paper
• Thick card stock

(The Crescent will have some paper, but I’d advise you to bring your own at least at the start). 

Canvasses

like the other materials, you can spend as much or as little on canvasses. 

Drawing Materials:

• Charcoal (willow charcoal or compressed)
• Chalks/Soft Pastels
• Oil Pastels
• Pencils (Graphite and/or coloured)

Optional drawing materials:

• Acrylic paint makers
• Markers
• Permanent markers

Studio materials:

• Apron or old jumper
• Plastic spray bottle
• Rags/dish cloths/kitchen roll (the Crescent does have some blue roll)
• Gloves (we are going to get messy!)
• Plastic containers (optional – the Crescent does have some)
• Baby wipes
• Masking tape
• Canvas Clips

If I have missed out any materials or you’d like to bring some that are not mentioned, please feel free to bring them along!

Please note, due to health and safety reasons, we cannot use spray paint or oil paints. 

About the Tutor

Patrick Hickey is a contemporary artist and current PhD researcher at Ulster University, Belfast. 

Since graduating from the Belfast School of Art in 2015 with a BA (Hons) Fine Art, Patrick has continually exhibited in solo and group exhibitions. He mainly works with the male figure & the landscape in a range of materials, mostly, but not limited to, charcoal, graphite, oil, and water-based paints such as acrylic, gouache and watercolour.

If you would like to see some of Patrick's work, check out his website.