Summer Intensive: Abstract Painting

Patrick Hickey is an artist and current PhD Researcher at Ulster University. Since graduating in 2015, he has continually exhibited his work throughout the UK and Ireland, with several solo exhibitions and notable group shows in The MAC, Belfast and Townhall, Cavan.

His work has been featured in The Irish Arts Review and through his PhD research, he has contributed to several publications, conferences and, notably, published a book chapter in The Routledge Companion to Irish Art (2025).

If you would like to see some of Patrick's work, check out his website: https://www.patrickhickeyartist.com 

• A5 Sketchbook
• Range of acrylic paint (including white)
• Range of brushes (these can be art brushes and/or decorating brushes)
• Drawing materials (charcoal, pens, markers, pencils: graphite, coloured)
• Spray bottle (size does not matter, can be a small like the ones you get for travelling)
• Surfaces (canvas, paper)

 Surfaces

• Canvas – size of canvas is up to you. You can also bring more than one. I would suggest a canvas that is around A3 size (29.7cm x 42cm) or bigger.
• Paper – there are different types of paper that you can bring. I would suggest paper for acrylic painting or mixed-media. Size is entirely up to yourself but I would suggest A4 or bigger.

Paint

• A range of colours is preferable, however, having the three primary colours (red, yellow, blue) along with white and raw umber is more than enough. Remember: we will be painting for 5 days, so ensure you have enough paint.

 Note for Day 1

For the first day of the course, we will be drawing and exploring paint solely in the A5 sketchbook (and on loose sheets provided by The Crescent). You do not need a range of paints, although you may wish to bring what you have. As long as you have a red, yellow and blue (as well as a good amount of white) that will be enough for day 1. The Crescent will provide charcoal, but feel free to bring whatever drawing materials you have (graphite, markers, soft pastels etc.).

During the first day, we will be exploring our materials and playing with colour combinations. We will also begin drawing and exploring compositions which will aid in the creation of our paintings for the duration of the week. From day 2 onwards, feel free to bring canvasses or other surfaces.

To recap – materials for day 1:
• A5 sketchbook
• Range of paint (red, yellow, blue & white are enough)
• Brushes
• Drawing materials

Materials not in the materials list but might be useful to have:
• Pots for water (old jars, tins or yogurt pots work well).
• Masking tape.

Inspiration

• For this Summer Intensive, we are going to work from photos – these can be photos you have found online, photos you have taken yourself or images you may have on hand. They don’t have to have been taken for this class either, just anything that can spark your creativity. These photos can be of anything you’d like!

• It is also good to look at abstract art or artists that you are interested in and would like to emulate or are inspired by.

 Where to buy

You don’t need to break the bank with these supplies, below is a list of places where you can buy reasonably priced items.

• Bradbury Art (Belfast City Centre) (online and in-store)
• Hobbycraft (online and in-store)
• The Range (online and in-store)
• The Works (online and in-store)
• Poundland (they stock student grade art products such as small packs of acrylic paint, pencils etc.) (in-store)
• Home Bargains (in-store)
• Jackson’s Art Supplies (online)
• Evans’ Art Supplies (online)