Expressive Painting for Beginners

Learn to paint expressively with an individual approach while increasing your knowledge and understanding of the importance of colour, composition, and form.

Annabel Butler leads you through various approaches to landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, and interiors by referencing a selection of Australian, American and European expressionist painters who sought to depict their emotional responses rather than an objective reality. Using acrylic, gouache or oil paint, students will learn how to mix and experiment with colour and will be encouraged to paint quickly and loosely and to develop expressive brushwork. Over the term you will produce a series of small to medium-sized paintings.

* Please note: There are two course breaks in Term Two due to public holidays. There will be NO class on: Monday 27 April and Monday 8 June (new ANZAC day and King’s Birthday)

Art Materials

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

Students will need to bring a range of source materials such as drawings, sketches and/or photos relating to the course subject matter – landscape, seascape, cityscape and interiors. Please bring your source material for landscape to the first class.

Art materials:

• Visual Arts diary for notes and sketches – A4 or A5

• 2B/4B pencil, eraser, sharpener

• Masking tape and 2 bull dog clips

• A selection of small to medium sized canvases or canvas boards – minimum of 4. (eg 25×30/30×40/40x50cm)

• Plastic spray water bottle (to stop acrylic paint from drying out on palette)

• Old cotton rags and/or paper towels

• If using acrylics - a water container eg. a large plastic container (large yogurt tubs work well) or a large wide necked glass jar

• If using oil paints - 3 wide necked glass jars WITH LIDS

• If using oil paints please bring odorless solvent - not turps. Oil mediums will be discussed in first class with students using oils.

• Palette -if you already have one. If not, you can use a large plastic serving plate/disposable paper palettes/ sheet of baking paper

• A range of flat and round bristle brushes varying in size from small to large. Students are welcome to bring what they already have. If buying brushes, recommended are: Eckersley's Jasart Round hog hair brushes, #4 x 2, #8 x 2, #12 x2 & Jasart Flat hog hair brushes, #4 x 1, #8 x 1, #12 x 1)

• Palette knife

• A takeaway container with lid for taking home unused paint (optional)

Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.

A limited range of good quality paints is suggested, e.g. Matisse Acrylic Paints in Structure or any other Artist Quality brands in oil or acrylic. Students are welcome to bring previously owned paints but as a minimum please bring the following 9 colours:

• Titanium White

• Burnt Umber

• Ultramarine or Cobalt Blue

• Cerulean Blue

• Cadmium or a Mid Red

• Alizarin Crimson

• Cadmium or a Mid Yellow

• Lemon Yellow

• Yellow Ochre

Optional additional:

• Raw Umber

• Raw Sienna

• Burnt Sienna