About this Event
In this two-part workshop, participants will create a mixed-media abstract painting using the elements and principles of Wabi-Sabi which revolves around an idea: nothing is perfect, nothing is permanent, and nothing is finished. You will work from realism to abstraction.
Taken from the Japanese words Wabi, which translates to less is more, and Sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi-sabi refers to an awareness of the transient nature of earthly things and a corresponding pleasure in the things that bear the mark of this impermanence. The key principles of wabi-sabi are simplicity, asymmetry, irregularity of objects, economy (less is more), truthfulness, modesty.
Making abstract art the wabi-sabi way allows us to be more aware in the process, allowing our tools and materials to be part of where the art goes. It’s about seeing the process as more important than the finished piece of art. It’s about not forcing a particular outcome.
Each participant will be encouraged to invoke the wabi-sabi concept of imperfection as perfection by developing collage and mixed media abstract composition using various techniques and materials.
Session 1: We will work with acrylic, ink, charcoal, oil pastel and collage.
Session 2: We will integrate techniques working with cold wax, oil and collage to form a final composition (or compositions).
Participants will learn the basic expressive and intuitive techniques of mixed media collage that will guide them through the creation of a work of art with the compositional elements of shapes, line, layers and texture.
The instructor will:
• Provide an overview of the Wabi-Sabi process and the historical background of collage.
• Review the Elements of Art and Design.
• Demonstrate various collage methods and textured application.
* Explore techniques using a variety of tools and processes (e.g., adhering miscellaneous materials, like old drawings, paintings, fabric, burlap, used canvas, found objects, and incorporating mono-printing.
• Participants will find inspiration from life, nature, the studio set-up and working from sketches and/or photo references)
• Oversee and guide each participant through the overall process as we keep in mind the wabi-sabi concept.
In this workshop, participants will be working with various materials, shapes, line and color. They can introduce imaginary patterns and shapes as well.
They can choose from the collage materials brought by the instructor to share or use their own and feel free to express their creativity. Most of all everyone should have fun with this!
At the end of the second session, we will share and “critique” the final pieces that participants have created.
Please note: Acrylic Mediums and Cold Wax Mediums will be supplied by the Instructor along with Paper Towels and Freezer Paper for Palettes. You are responsible for bringing the other supplies needed.
Students should bring these supplies:
1. PAINTING SURFACES
12 x 14 (or larger) canvas or wood panel (recommend back stapled canvas)
Heavy paper - e.g., watercolor paper (Arches 140 or 300 pound recommended)
Sketch Pad
Spiral-bound Aquabee or Canson mixed media sketchbook
This is a high-quality acid-free paper can be used with variety of media and can be painted on.
Choose size 9 x 12” or 11 x 14”
2. ACRYLIC PAINTS
Use your own discretion as to your own needs:
I recommend Professional Grade Liquitex tubes, Nova acrylics and Golden products, including Golden fluids. Suggestions:
Cadmium Yellow Light or MediumPhthalocyanine Blue (green shade)
Cadmium OrangePhthalocyanine Green
Cadmium Red Light (warm red)Ivory Black
Pyrrole Red (cool red, or your preference) Titanium White
Quinacridone Magenta
Ultramarine Blue
Choose additional colors to add to your palette according to your preference:
Yellow Oxide (Ochre) Quinacridone Red
Burnt Sienna Acra Magenta
Burnt Umber Paynes Gray
Sap Green or Green Gold Brilliant Blue
Hookers Green Dioxazine Purple
3. ACRYLIC MEDIUMS (Supplied by Instructor)
Matte Medium
Matte gel (medium to heavy recommended)
4. BRUSHES (for acrylic application)
Choose a variety of sizes – Larger brushes are better. Minimum of 3 brushes
Suggested: #2 #3 (round), filbert #5 #6#7, flat #8 or #1; 2” inexpensive flat brush for gesso and varnish
5. OIL PAINTS
Assorted tubes (suggest Windsor Newton or Lukas): cadmium red, cerulean blue, indigo, cadmium, yellow, cadmium orange, Naples yellow, magenta, blue green, turquoise, titanium white, ivory black, ochre. (Plus, your personal choice).
6. OIL MEDIUM (Supplied by Instructor)
6 oz. Gamblin cold wax medium – use with oil paints. Available at Jerry’s Artarama, or Amazon
7. OTHER APPLICATION MATERIALS
- R & F Pigment sticks – assorted colors of your choice (especially recommended are Titanium White and Ivory Black)
Purchase at Jerry’s Artarama or on Amazon
- Charcoal sticks: both vines and thick/heavy duty
8. TOOLS - Important
Catalyst for cold wax/oil application
Recommended W-01, W-05, W-03 (available online at Jerrys Artarama
Plastic putty spatula (1 1/2-2" ok) One larger one for bigger application is also recommended. (Available at Home Depot, etc.)
Brayer (s) (2" - 3")
Palette knife (various shapes and sizes- plastic are fine)
Miscellaneous:
Scraping and mark-making tools such as old credit cards, chop sticks, 5” Squeegee
9. PALETTE
Palette Paper in a pad or Freezer paper (Supplied by Instuctor)(comes in a roll, available at the market) is the least expensive and can be cut to size.
10. COLLAGE MATERIALS
Newsprint
Magazine tear outs
Burlap
Used canvas or other fabric
Old photographs
Metallic paper
String, yarn
Brown paper
Rice paper
Corrugated cardboard
Duralite
Acrylic "skins" (optional)
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:plastic gloves, spray bottle – (for water), water container
Baby oil – important for all oil paint cleanup
Pencils – soft; Paper Towels (Supplied by Instructor), Masking tape, Scissors.
Please bring what is reasonable for your budget.
Please email Mardi at [email protected] for her further recommended brands and suppliers.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Artists Center at the Galen, 72567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, United States
USD 123.96 to USD 267.59
