Discover the Best Abstract Painting Classes Near Me
Abstract painting is a type of painting that doesn’t focus on creating an accurate representation of reality, but instead communicates ideas through abstract elements such as colors, lines, and shapes. Most people believe that this style started in the early twentieth century, with German painter Wassily Kandinsky, who believed that he could express emotions and ideas without objectively representing the material world. Abstract painting remains popular today.
Abstract painters use a variety of different shapes, forms, and textures to evoke certain feelings in their audiences. They also use a range of different colors to express their ideas. There is not necessarily one meaning or explanation for a single abstract painting; instead, individuals are intended to experience and interpret abstract pieces in different ways.
Why You Should Learn Abstract Painting
Abstract painting is a very creative and expressive form of art, that many people find both rewarding and therapeutic. This style lets people explore emotions and ideas without imposing limits on how they can express these things. Instead, Abstract painters have the freedom to create almost anything that they can imagine. Not only can this process be rewarding, but many people find that it can help them connect with their emotions or help them process a difficult life experience.
Learning abstract painting can also be beneficial because it often pushes people to learn new techniques and think in different ways. Abstract painters need to learn new technical skills such as mixing colors, brushwork, and layering. These can be challenging, and also involve experimentation. In addition, Abstract painters have to learn to think about art in a different way, since unlike many traditional forms of painting, abstract painting aims to create a visual experience that is independent of reality.
5 Ways to Learn Abstract Painting
Abstract painting can be learned in a number of different ways. Some people use free resources, others enroll in formal classes, and some participate in apprenticeships or other types of informal learning situations.
- For many people, the first way to start learning about abstract painting is going online and making use of the hundreds of free resources that can be found there. For instance, YouTube has many different abstract painting tutorials, often focused on specific skills like creating layers, or using a palette knife.
- While free classes are a great way to start, most people who want to learn abstract painting end up enrolling in a formal painting class. In-person classes are one of the most popular types of painting classes. Students like that in-person instruction usually comes with access to an art studio, in addition to materials and tools.
- Virtual classes are another good way to learn abstract painting. One advantage of learning virtually is that students have access to a greater number of instructors and classes, since they are not limited to one specific location.
- Some online classes come in an in-demand format. Unlike virtual classes, on-demand ones don’t include live instruction, however, they do offer a lot of flexibility since they allow students to work at their own pace.
- Another good way to learn abstract painting is by getting involved with other Abstract painters. This can be through something more formal, like an apprenticeship, or simply by visiting museums, galleries, or craft fairs to learn more about this style of painting.
In-Person Abstract Painting Classes
An in-person abstract painting class has always been a popular way to learn this skill, and aspiring painters will find a lot of options in this format, particularly in large cities like New York and Los Angeles.
In New York City, Creatively Wild Art Studio runs a class called Abstract Art Journey: Paint How U Feel, which is two hours long and costs $80. In this class, students learn about shape, space, value, and the principles of color. They also learn a variety of brush techniques, and explore the principles of using color to evoke atmosphere and mood. The work of other abstract painters will be used for inspiration. Acrylics and brushes are provided, but students need to provide their own canvas. The Creatively Wild Art Studio is an art school based in Brooklyn, and has been operating since 2009. It is female-owned, and dedicated to nourishing creativity and encouraging individual expression.
Adult Focus on Painting is another in-person class in the New York City area. Students in this class use oil paint, and can work in an abstract style, or another style of their choice. A number of techniques are covered, including underpainting, glazing, palette knife painting, action painting, and chiaroscuro. Instructors provide in-depth demonstrations and one-on-one instruction. There are four sessions in total, and tuition is $235. The average class size is about eight people. The One River School is an art school that was founded in 2012. It has locations in a number of different cities including one in Englewood, New Jersey, about 15 miles from New York City.
Students in the Los Angeles area can learn abstract painting through Pastimes for a Lifetime, run by Linda Wehrli, who has been teaching art since 1989. Painting with Acrylics 301 is a four-session class that costs $160. In this class, students learn about abstract painting and a number of other styles. Wehrli also gives brush recommendations, and talks about how to prepare a canvas, how to mix colors, and how to clean brushes. A list of recommended supplies is available online. Pastimes for a Lifetime is in Van Nuys, which is less than 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
Another class in the Los Angeles area is Weekly Oil Painting/Drawing. A single three-hour class costs $45, or a four-session monthly package is $180. In this class, students work with professional artists and can work in any medium or style that they choose. Instructors can give students as much help as they want, and asking questions is highly recommended. Classes are project-based, and studio supplies are available for use with a $5 fee. This class takes place at the Art Studio, which is in Westminster, which is about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The Art Studio was founded in 1994 by local artists, and offers a variety of art classes, including in abstract painting.
In Chicago, Ingrid’s Originals Inc. Offers a class called Seductive Surfaces. Students in this class learn to build up interesting surfaces that they can use as a base for a painting, adding both texture and depth to the finished product. All skill levels are welcome. This workshop runs from 9 am to 4 pm, for three days, and costs $550. A light breakfast, bottled water, tea, coffee, and snacks are provided each day. Ingrid’s Originals is less than ten miles north of downtown Chicago. Artist Ingrid E. Albrecht has many years of experience as both an artist and a teacher, and runs a variety of different art classes and workshops.
In Boston, Art School 99 offers an Intensive Abstract Painting Workshop that costs $100, and runs for three hours. This workshop is designed to teach the fundamentals of abstract painting, including design, color, and composition. Students also learn about the history of abstraction and examine the paintings of some famous abstract artists. They also work on a number of projects. All materials are provided. Art School 99 is a short 15-minute drive from downtown Boston. It was founded by Alexandra Rozenman, who came to the United States in the 1908s, as a refugee from the Soviet Union. She teaches a number of different art classes, for both adults and children.
San Diego students can learn abstract painting in-person at Art on 30th, which runs a class called Intro to Abstract Acrylic Painting. This class covers color and composition, glazing, and texture with gels and pastes. Sessions also include instructor critique and demonstration, and peer interaction. Beginners are welcome, and drawing skills are not required. Students complete two or three personal projects throughout the course. There are five evening sessions in total, and tuition is $199. Students need to bring their own supplies, which are listed online. There is also a $25 materials fee, due on the first class session. Art on 30th is about 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. The 8,000-square-foot art center opened in 2015 and serves as a studio, gallery, and classroom.
For students who want to take an in-person abstract painting class in San Francisco, Living Your Wild Creativity offers a number of abstract painting classes, including Marks, Mark, Marks! This class is focused on marks, which are an important part of abstract painting. Students learn techniques to make their marks more exciting and dynamic, and they also learn how to let go of their inhibitions when making marks. Painters of all levels are welcome. The class is $250, plus a $20 materials fee, and runs for five-and-a-half hours. A list of required supplies can be found online. Living Your Wild Creativity is in Sebastopol, which is just over an hour north of San Francisco, and offers a variety of different classes that help people develop their creative skills.
Virtual Abstract Painting Classes
Some people learn abstract painting by taking an in-person class, however, virtual abstract painting classes are also popular. Aspiring painters will find a number of different options in a virtual format. An advantage of learning virtually is that students can choose from a greater number of classes and instructors, since they don’t have to actually get to the physical class location. Virtual classes also tend to be cheaper.
Color & Saturation: Watercoloring Still Lifes is offered through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. In this class, students make loose impressions of a group of flowers and leaves, and combine them with more detailed elements, working from either a live arrangement, or a photograph provided by the instructor. The process includes experimentation with color combinations and tonal intensity. Students work with watercolors, and need to provide their own supplies. The class costs $59. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is based in Brooklyn New York, but offers online classes on a variety of topics, including art.
The Richmond Art Center offers a four-session Abstract Painting class for students who already have some experience with this style. The class is focused on abstract painting, and students can use whatever materials they are comfortable with. Tuition is $120. The Richmond Art Center is a community organization located about half an hour out of downtown San Francisco, and encourages the making and sharing of art of various types. It runs both in-person and virtual art classes.
Another virtual option is Online Painting with Acrylics 301, a four-session class where students learn about abstract painting and a number of other styles. The class is offered by Pastimes for a Lifetime, and taught by company founder Linda Wehrli, who has been teaching art since 1989. In addition to various styles of painting, she goes over how to prepare a canvas, and how to mix colors. Tuition for this class is $160, and students need to supply their own materials. A supply list is available online.
Private Group Abstract Painting Classes
Painting can be a lot of fun to learn as a group, and CourseHorse makes it easy to plan a private group abstract painting class. No registration is required when booking with CourseHorse, and there are no booking fees. Confirmation is sent out within 24 hours of booking. In addition, the site’s flexible change policy allows changes to be made to the total group size up to 72 hours before the event, as long as the minimum group size has been met.
Color Workshop–Ink Dripping Art is an in-person painting class that takes place on the Lower East Side of New York City. In this class, participants create art by selectively dripping alcohol-based inks on yupo paper, where the ink creates unique and colorful designs. This two-hour class can accommodate up to 20 people and costs $65 per person.
For groups that would rather take a virtual class, Virtual Acrylic Pour Art is a good option. This class allows students to experiment with different colors and techniques, creating art by pouring paint. The class runs for an hour and a half, can accommodate up to 100 people, and costs $90 per person. Pouring paint, silicone oil, and painting tools are all shipped to participants ahead of time. A bottle of wine can also be included, at an additional $30 per person.
Virtual Watercolor Workshop is another virtual class where participants learn about painting in an abstract style. Groups that take this class learn about the “wet on wet” abstract painting technique, where they build up layers of watercolor paint, and let it flow to create art. The techniques learned in this class can also be applied to other painting styles. The class is priced at $75 per person, and runs for an hour and a half. It can accommodate up to 255 people. Paints, brushes, and paper are shipped to participants prior to the start of the class.
CourseHorse’s private group classes usually run through Zoom, however, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx are also supported. Contact CourseHorse for more information about scheduling a private event listed on its website, or to talk about other group options.
What Will I Need to Learn Abstract Painting?
The materials required for abstract painting vary depending on the personal style and preference of the artist, but a number of basic supplies are common to most abstract painters. One of the most important supplies is paint. Many artists use acrylic paint because it is easy to work with and dries fairly quickly, however, any type of paint can be used for this type of art. Most artists also use mediums to thin or thicken their paint. Students who want to learn abstract painting also need some type of canvas to work on. Canvases come in a range of sizes. Brushes and painting knives are another important tool, and are commonly used for applying paint and for various types of texturing. Finally, Abstract painters typically use a palette to mix and blend colors on.
Is It Difficult to Learn Abstract Painting?
Like all new skills, abstract painting can be challenging to learn because it involves techniques that are often new and unfamiliar. Abstract painters need to learn basic painting skills such as how to use light and color, how to mix color, and how to work with a brush. Knowing these foundational skills is important for any type of painter, and will help them create good work in whatever style they choose.
Abstract painters also need to learn the unique skills related to abstract painting. One of the most important is the ability to use abstract forms to create a visual experience. For instance, colors can be used in particular ways to evoke certain emotions, or lines and curves can be used to create a sense of movement or depth. The best way to learn all many of these skills is often through a formal class. Practice is also an important part of the learning process. Overall though, through a combination of time, instruction, and practice, most people can learn abstract painting.
