Essential Abstraction Class series

Rileystreet Art Supply, Santa Rosa

Thursdays March 7, March 28, 10-4 PM

Mondays April 15, April 29, May 6, 10-4 PM

Have you always wanted to paint abstractly with confidence, meaning and self-expression? Would you like to loosen up your own painting style?

• All levels, beginning to advanced.
• Small groups, maximum 6 students, for personal attention.
• Take one separate classes or a 3 class series at a savings.
• Each class has a different focus, with active teaching and demos.
• You’ll emerge from the class with finished paintings and skills to apply to your art!
• You can choose new art materials at Riley Street to try during the class.
• Scroll down for the Materials List.

Please bring a bag lunch or make lunch arrangements, and park in the east side parking area. You can register and find the materials list below. Online registration only. Classes limited to 6 students; please register in advance to ensure your seat. Registration is online only, through the links on this page. Each class is $110, or take a three class series for for $260.

Essential Abstraction: Composing in Color

This class is no longer available for registration. Please see March 7 for the next class.

In abstraction, we often make statements with blocks, lines or splashes of color. Learn how to use the color wheel and areas of color to paint vivid, beautiful paintings.

Essential Abstraction: Personal Mythology – Our Stories in Symbol

Thursday, March 7, 10-PM / $110

Is it possible to encode storylines in abstraction? Yes! See what stories your paintings have to tell about you, and the other way around too. This is a unique class that goes to the heart of the way I paint. You can bring photos or images with you to inspire you, but you will be painting an original abstract.

Essential Abstraction: Metaphoracards– Painted Collage Cards

Thursday, March 28, 10-4 PM /$110

These little gems are amazing combination of paints and collage– art that you can play with! They differ from other small collage cards because we paint first paint small abstracts in acrylic then add our images, adding a new dimension to the collage.  We end the class with responses to your cards. You’ll end with several cards and new insights. Special materials list sent upon registration.

Three Class Series on 2/29, 3/7 and 3/28

You can accelerate your learning, and have a lot of fun, by taking all 3 classes. I’m offering a discount with all 3 classes for $260.

Monday Classes: April 15, April 29, May 6

Gold Leaf Abstraction with Suzanne Edminster

Monday, April 15, 10-4 PM, $95

Gold Leaf Abstraction will teach you how to use metal leaf (not real gold) in your abstract paintings for beautiful effects. This is a unique approach developed by Suzanne. You’ll bring your own metal leaf to make artwork that changes in the light, and get step by step instruction in how to mount it, use it, and paint with, on and around it. Special materials list sent upon registration.

Create Striking Art with Interference and Iridescent Paint

Monday, April 29, 10-4 PM / $95

You can create striking art with Interference and Iridescent paint! Suzanne will show you exactly how to use these ultra-modern, shifting colors to make paintings that change in every light. Special materials list sent upon registration.

Metaphoracards– Painted Collage Cards

Monday May 6, 10 AM – 4 PM / $95

 Metaphoracards are small paintings with collage. These little gems differ from other collage cards because our own small abstract paintings form the base, making each card have more impact and depth. Suzanne will provide backings. These are fun and evocative to make– start your private collection now!  At the end of the class we will share and interpret our images. Special materials list sent upon registration.

Register for the Monday 3 Class series at a savings– $240 for all 3 classes.

Materials LIst

As a courtesy, please consider taking a home Covid test before you come. I will be doing this before each class.

• Please wear very old clothes and aprons that you can get paint on! Acrylic paint stains and doesn’t really come out in the wash.  Now is the time to be functional and comfortable in our clothes so we can forget about them and just paint.
• Please park in the side parking lot to keep the front slots open for Rileystreet customers.  We can eat in the Mexican restaurant — Aguila Real Mexican Food– across the street if it is open, or bring a bag lunch. Time goes fast when you are painting!
• The Materials List is for Classes 1, 2, and 3. I will send you a special Materials List for Class 4, Metaphoracards, after registration.
• Please bring one sketchbook or notebook for writing. We use writing as part of the process. You could bring that gift journal that is “too good ” to use. Don’t forget a pencil and pen!
• Brushes: small, medium and large.  I prefer smooth white or golden nylon brushes for acrylic. You can get inexpensive brush sets at Michael’s.
• 3-6 pre-cut 140 lb.+ watercolor paper pieces @ 10″ x 10″ or 12″ x 12″ squares– Suggestions include Canson watercolor pads or Fabriano 1282 watercolor pads available at Rileystreet. Prep and cut before you come. We always work in series.
• 6 pre-cut or 140 lb.+ watercolor paper pieces @ 5″ x 7″ (see above). Prep and cut before you come. We always work in series. Measure them. These small surfaces are great for learning and we can make “little treasures”. I have mats for framing these if you cut them to the right size.
• Optional: Canvas or larger paper, as you like
• A pile of pre-torn paper towel pieces,  4 paper plates to hold your paint, large yoghurt containers or mini buckets for water, and a brown paper grocery bag for waste. Wet wipes are also handy.
• Important! Bring nitrile or latex gloves to wear. Your hands become painting tools when you wear gloves.
• Acrylic paints: See my color and brand suggestions posted after the registration forms.
• A water-soluble black pencil (Derwent or other), a Bic Cristal pen from the office store, and a few inexpensive oil pastels in mixed colors: Crayola or Cray-Pas are fine. You don’t need a whole set. White, light blue, red, and black are good colors. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these supplies, but bring some of them. 
• I will bring special materials for you to try!

PAINTS

• I teach with tube paints because they can go on thick or thin. Bring whatever acrylic paints you have, but tubes are preferable to liquids for this class.
• These are only suggestions. I like Basics, Winton Galeria, and Liquitex.
• You need a large white, black, warm and cool shades of red, yellows, blues.
• Optional: purple, Opera Pink, Flourescent Orange, bright gold paint, small interfence paints (these can be liquid paints).
• Other good colors are Basics or other brands of Lime Green, Aqua, Blue Purple, Pale Olive, Payne’s Grey, Burnt Siena, and Yellow Ochre.
• You always need a lot of white, so get a big tube.
• Get Rileystreet expert sales people to help you!