WHAT WE DID
Sourced References:
Drew from life, your own photography, and online resources: Canva, Creative Market
Prepared Canvas:
Applied 2 coats of acrylic paint to the canvas as a base colour, allowing at least 4 hours drying time between coats (more in Winter, less in Summer).
Projected Image:
Drew the image onto the canvas using a projector and a HB or B pencil.
Applied Paint:
Used thick acrylic paint, thinning with water only for fine lines, and washed brushes with water.
Expected to paint every shade with at least two layers.
Organised Workspace:
Set up a clean, open, and organized space with brushes, palettes, paints, water, paper towel, and cotton buds.
Laid out palette knives and brushes for easy access.
Mixed Paint:
Worked on a flat, easy-to-clean surface, mixing paint according to paint charts, and painted from 'furthest behind' to 'foreground', working from dark to light.
Tested colours on spare paper or card, checking against reference image and colour chart.
Maintained Cleanliness:
Kept the area and tools clean and organized throughout the process.
Finished and Sealed:
Let the painting dry flat for at least 24 hours (longer in Winter).
Sealed with Matisse (oil-based) satin or matt varnish, mixing well before use.
*Note: Always read instructions on all paint materials.
WHAT WE USED
Canvas:
Any good quality triple-primed stretched canvas 300gsm or more. We used Luca Triple Primed Canvas, 350gsm 40 x 40cm with a deep return (3.5).
Paint:
Additional Paints: Matisse texture acrylic paints Titanium White, Indigo Blue & Deep Rose Madder
Background Paint – First Layer: Matisse Gesso White, Second Layer: mixture of Matisse Gesso, Titanium White, and Yellow
Tools:
Flat paint tray or plates, or paint palettes for colour mixing
Water bowl or jar
Paper towels, cut into small squares
Assorted palette knives, round and pointed (Favourite brand: Art Spectrum)
Artify Brush Set, Meeden Brush Set, Montemarte Fine Liner Brush Set, Liquitex paddle brush for base colour
HB or B Pencil
KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS
Time Management:
Allow yourself ample time, take your time, and have fun.
Preparation & Organisation:
Crucial for success.
Strategise your painting steps.
Use your Colour Chart and ensure proper colour mixing. If a colour isn't working, paint over it.
Painting Technique:
Work from background to foreground, dark to light (for accurate, neat painting).
Breaks:
Take breaks and step away from your work.
Material Choice:
Choose materials and equipment with longevity in mind; avoid cheap imitations.
Maintenance:
Clean as you go
Discard old or inferior equipment.
Enjoy the Process:
Give yourself space to enjoy the entire creative process.
ART SUPPLIERS
WEBSITES FOR LEARNING ABOUT MATERIALS & TOOLS
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2024 WORKSHOPS
Coming up at Green Door Studios, Robertson
Sunday 20 October: Spring Impasto Flowers, using acrylics and impasto
Sunday 8 December: Budgie Beauties, painting pink, blue, green and yellow budgies with acrylics and impasto
“May your life be full of colour and creativity”
Julie Lynch
Colour Chart for paints provided