Towards Abstraction

Initially working on a large scale you'll learn my approach to creating a mini series of semi-abstract work in a loose, free and joyful way. We'll explore how to create harmonious palettes, develop your mark making skills, begin to recognise pleasing compositions and discover how the art of noticing can inform future work. Suitable for beginners through to more experienced artists.

Towards Abstraction

With Shona Mackenzie

Saturday & Sunday

13th & 14th April

10am - 4pm

The Creative Campus

$240

Some basic materials provided by tutor: A1 card for working on, rubbing alcohol, water spray bottles, a variety of basic drawing materials and mark making tools. 

Small amounts of Gesso, indian ink, a couple of texture mediums are available to purchase on the day if you don't have any or are unsure if you will use a product again.

Participants must bring with them:

● An apron or shirt

● A rag or baby wipes

● Lunch (or there is a cafe on sight)

● A pair of scissors

● Ruler - metal preferably

● Masking tape - low tack if you have it

● Waterproof Indian ink if you have it - I use Schmincke 1912 or Peboe Graphic, but I am told that Higgins waterproof, Speedball Superblack and DR PH Martin's Bombay and Blackstar are all waterproof

● Gloss or glazing acrylic medium

● Acrylic pastes or grounds. If you have any, bring them along, it could be things like fibre or modelling paste, glass bead or pumice grounds or tar gel. These are not a requirement but this is a great time to try them. If you are interested, have a look at you tube for homemade recipes.

● A selection of acrylic paints or inks (we will refine our palette on Saturday but having a choice of colours is great to begin with)

● A generous mixing palette (I encourage use of a wet palette so a small tray with paper towels and baking paper would be perfect)

● A water jar that fits your biggest brush

● A variety of drawing mediums, such as oil pastels, charcoal, graphite, wax crayons, pencils, a black biro, dipping pen, paint pens. Just bring what you have, don't go buying anything special.

● At least one large paint brush, say 8-10 cms wide. Cheap ones available from DIY stores or Paper Plus Bethlehem.

● A collection of mark making tools (this list is not exhaustive and you don't need all of these but some ideas are:) big to small, rough to smooth brushes, toothbrush, pipette or dropper, palette knives, old credit card, comb, fork, skewers, spatula, twig, textured fabric, cotton wool buds, bubble wrap, stencils etc

● Medium to fine sandpaper

● On Sunday you will need a mounting mat cut into 2 L shapes I will show you how on Saturday

One of the Incubators resident Artists, Shona Mackenzie has had lifelong involvement in the Arts and a background in design and education. She describes herself as a habitual visual collector. “I am always subconsciously searching for special moments in nature. It could be the movement of the breeze through a field or the dawn mist hugging a forest, but the essence of what I see is savoured and stored. In time, these images reappear unbidden in my art.” Much of Shona’s semi-abstract work is based upon the landscape. Through this lens she explores long forgotten memories, what it means to call two countries home and generational echoes of emotion. Shona works intuitively, mostly in mixed media and letting her materials guide her next move.

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