Confident Acrylics with Mernie Buchanan

A wonderful week of high energy mornings designed to jump every painter or aspiring painter up a level… or several.

We will concentrate on narrative imagery and technique. Be inspired by your own favorite photos, instructor-supplied images, the nature surrounding us, and, of course, your own imagination.

Are you:

• A mature/professional artist/illustrator? Advance your signature style with a faster brush and innovative techniques to quickly achieve soft edges and spectacular gradations. (Bring whatever specialty mediums, retarders, etc you have kicking around)
• An intermediate painter with previous instruction and practice? Gain a deeper understanding of color, perspective and flow in representational and impressionistic brushstrokes as you develop your own expression. We pinpoint where your talents already shine and build from there. Goof corrections follow intuitively. Or, as the mighty Bob Ross once said, “There are no mistakes.”
• First time/early stage beginner? Welcome! Acrylic is the easiest medium to paint and learn with. If you’ve ever doodled while on the phone you can paint. If Mrs. Wagner in third grade told you you weren’t very good? Here’s the perfect opportunity to prove her wrong. Anyone who wants to can create a confident, pleasing painting—and with this course you can create several. All it takes is desire. I’m putting together five budget beginner kits with used brushes & high quality paint if the materials list is cringe. (You can bring economy craft acrylics, but results are less satisfying. More details forthcoming.) 

Artists at every level of experience learn something new with every painting, and every painter has a story to tell. Come tell yours in an environment of inspiration and support.

Materials & Supplies List

Mernie will send out a more detailed list of recommended colors, brushes and canvas priming a few months before camp.

What you’ll need

• Reference Images (Print favorite photos you always thought would make good paintings… and start taking some more)
• Supports (canvas panels—easiest to transport, stretched canvas or boards—5×7 to 24×30 inches)
• Acrylic Colors—either Collegiate or Professional grade in tubes, jars or fluid. A warm & cool of each primary + white, raw umber and optional secondaries & earth tones. Instructor will bring extra colors to squeeze out when needed.
• Brushes (long handles for painting at easel / short handles for painting flat on table)
• Pad of palette paper—9×12” is fine for small-medium size paintings.
• At least one Pallet Knife—medium size for quick mixing, application & cleaning the pallet.
• Spritzer or mister bottle to keep palette moistened (crucial in dry climates)
• Tabletop water jar and a one or three gallon plastic bucket.
• Rags or roll of paper towels

Optional

• Plan to paint bigger than 12×16”? A divided Tupperware serving tray with sealing lid is a great way to mix & save larger quantities of paint. I’ve found these at thrift stores.
• Tabletop easel (I can bring a few, but not enough)
• 8 oz jar Liquitex Clear Satin Medium
• 8 oz jar Golden Fluid Matte Medium or Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid (Satin)
• 8-16 oz jar or paint tub with a sealing lid (empty and clean)
• Whatever other supplies you like to use or want to experiment with.
• If you like to paint large or standing up, bring your studio easel.

A $10 materials fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.

Devotees of acrylics will already have most everything on the materials list. A favorite paint is Golden Professional, but the more affordable Grumbacher Academy (look for 90ml metal tubes) is highly satisfying as well. Both are made in USA, so no tariffs. blick.com is a decent vendor with good discounts

5 Budget Beginner Kits are available if you want to experiment without committing to a pricier investment in new supplies.

$35 gets you: 1 gal bucket with: #8 filbert, #4 bright & #2 round, one each 8×10” & 11×14” new canvas panels, 9×12” Pallet Paper pad, plastic pallet knife and 1 each collegiate grade: Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Med, Cadmium or Grumbacher Red & Raw Umber + bonus color (many previously used in classes). And some rags!

Please specify and pay Mernie at start of class. ($10 class fee waived for Beginner Kit)