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Introduction to Acrylic Painting
It’s a crazy world out there and painting is a proven method for grounding and stress reduction. Have you ever wanted to try painting with acrylics but not sure where to start? Consider this your invitation to try it out! This is an introductory painting class focused on learning how to paint with the acrylic medium. You will learn some of the special properties of acrylic paints that make them a highly versatile and welcoming medium for beginner painters. You will play with paint and explore techniques to achieve different textures and effects. And you will learn some basic painting principles around composition, sketching and underpainting, color mixing, and values. You will be encouraged to let go of personal expectations and desired painting outcomes and just let it flow. This is a guided space to learn, experiment, and play.
If you already have a set of paints you like to use you can use those for this class. If you are purchasing paints for the first time, my brand of choice is Golden Heavy Body Acrylics (available at Michael’s locally or online at Blick.com). Less expensive student-grade paints are fine if you’re not ready for that level of investment, but be advised that they have some limitations compared to higher grade paints (tend to have less concentration of pigments and thinner texture) and may cause some frustration when trying to achieve certain effects. If you see yourself painting into the future, invest in the good stuff if you can. If you’re just starting out and don’t really know – no sweat, go cheaper.
The class will include some classroom-style instruction to introduce concepts, followed by guided exercises and application of concepts in executing your own painting. You will get one-on-one feedback and suggestions and have the opportunity to interact with other artists.
Needed materials:
· acrylic paint set (recommend Golden heavy body) in whatever colors you like, but at a minimum include a red, blue, yellow, white (titanium), and a dark like black or Payne’s gray
· a pencil and ruler
· paint brushes in various sizes and shapes
· a palette (a paper plate works fine for acrylics)
· a water container (a yogurt tub works well)
· an 8X10 acrylic paper pad with at least a few sheets (the size isn’t that important)
· an 8X10 stretched canvas (again, size isn’t important, but a smallish size will allow you to work on applying more of the concepts you learn in the time we have)
· optional: an easel (if you have one – don’t go out and but one just for this – we’ll have other options available)
· optional: a photo of something you want to paint printed on a piece of paper
The class will be held on Sunday July 12th, 2026 from 9am - 12 pm at the Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, VT.
All ages and experience levels are welcome; concepts presented are geared towards beginners, but even experienced artists may enjoy new insights, inspirations and camaraderie. For anyone younger than 10 wishing to participate I ask that their caregiver also sign up for the class(es).
It’s a crazy world out there and painting is a proven method for grounding and stress reduction. Have you ever wanted to try painting with acrylics but not sure where to start? Consider this your invitation to try it out! This is an introductory painting class focused on learning how to paint with the acrylic medium. You will learn some of the special properties of acrylic paints that make them a highly versatile and welcoming medium for beginner painters. You will play with paint and explore techniques to achieve different textures and effects. And you will learn some basic painting principles around composition, sketching and underpainting, color mixing, and values. You will be encouraged to let go of personal expectations and desired painting outcomes and just let it flow. This is a guided space to learn, experiment, and play.
If you already have a set of paints you like to use you can use those for this class. If you are purchasing paints for the first time, my brand of choice is Golden Heavy Body Acrylics (available at Michael’s locally or online at Blick.com). Less expensive student-grade paints are fine if you’re not ready for that level of investment, but be advised that they have some limitations compared to higher grade paints (tend to have less concentration of pigments and thinner texture) and may cause some frustration when trying to achieve certain effects. If you see yourself painting into the future, invest in the good stuff if you can. If you’re just starting out and don’t really know – no sweat, go cheaper.
The class will include some classroom-style instruction to introduce concepts, followed by guided exercises and application of concepts in executing your own painting. You will get one-on-one feedback and suggestions and have the opportunity to interact with other artists.
Needed materials:
· acrylic paint set (recommend Golden heavy body) in whatever colors you like, but at a minimum include a red, blue, yellow, white (titanium), and a dark like black or Payne’s gray
· a pencil and ruler
· paint brushes in various sizes and shapes
· a palette (a paper plate works fine for acrylics)
· a water container (a yogurt tub works well)
· an 8X10 acrylic paper pad with at least a few sheets (the size isn’t that important)
· an 8X10 stretched canvas (again, size isn’t important, but a smallish size will allow you to work on applying more of the concepts you learn in the time we have)
· optional: an easel (if you have one – don’t go out and but one just for this – we’ll have other options available)
· optional: a photo of something you want to paint printed on a piece of paper
The class will be held on Sunday July 12th, 2026 from 9am - 12 pm at the Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, VT.
All ages and experience levels are welcome; concepts presented are geared towards beginners, but even experienced artists may enjoy new insights, inspirations and camaraderie. For anyone younger than 10 wishing to participate I ask that their caregiver also sign up for the class(es).