Have fun interpreting North Shore landscapes using ink, color, and absorbent Chinese xuan paper. Class will focus on composition and contemporary interpretations of landscapes using traditional brushwork plus experimental techniques. Using absorbent papers and both transparent and opaque colors, we will pour and splash ink to create dramatic northern vistas. Format includes demonstrations, individual painting time, and lots of encouragement. Weather permitting, an afternoon on location is planned. Prerequisite: Some sumi-e or watercolor experience is recommended. Checklist of supplies you will need (some are available for purchase at class, see full supply list document) Sumi-e brushes Zhong Hua or Moon Palace Ink Chinese painting color and/or watercolor (optional) Note: Marie’s Chinese Painting Colors do not work for the pouring and splashing work we’ll be doing in this class. Unsized (raw) xuan paper. You may also use Chinese powdered mineral colors and glue. Sketchbook or paper, pen/pencil, whatever you like to use for sketching. 3 small flat plates or saucers for ink. Minimum of 5 small saucers or bowls for color. Small cups/bowls or paper cups for pouring paint. Watercolor palette for location painting (optional). 3 large yogurt containers or other for rinsing brushes (The Art Colony has extras) LOTS of Newspaper Old hand towels or lots of paper towels for blotting brush. Hair dryer (optional). Spray bottle. Blue masking tape or fabric/paper tape or artist tape. Four furniture risers or plastic flower pots to adjust the height of the tables – allows you to easily stand while painting, without putting stress on your back (optional). Backpack or whatever you want to use to carry your stuff on location. We will not be doing any serious hiking, but we will walk around a bit at our locations. Think light if you plan to paint. Board to use as flat undersurface if you choose to paint on location. You can use cardboard, foam core, drawing board. You’ll need bulldog clips/masking tape to keep paper from flying off. If you’re traveling from out-of-town it might be difficult to haul this along. (Susan has some extras, so let her know via the Art Colony and she’ll bring one for you.) If you have a small camping stool or painter’s stool that’s easy to carry, bring it along if you want something to sit on (other than a rock) when you sketch/paint on location (optional). Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, bug dope. Plywood board (with few to no knotholes), at least ¼” thick, minimum size 17” x 24” if you want to learn to wet mount your painting (optional).
A catalyst for the arts in the Great Lakes region, supporting artists through residencies, immersive classes, and signature events