Over the course of two Saturdays together, we will experiment with mark making, value, colour and composition, and we will talk about what abstraction in art reveals about our individuality. Although we will work in pure abstraction, all of these ideas apply to representational art.

This course is appropriate for both the beginner and the experienced artist. Students will be able to walk away from this exploration with deeper knowledge of their personal creative process and responses to visual art. Darcy will introduce many techniques and tools for abstract drawing and painting.

Throughout the sessions, we will discuss how value and colour create powerful compositions in all drawing and painting. You will also take home a number of drawings and paintings on paper. These may be finished works or starting points for new work in your art practice. Open to ages 15 - 100.

Please Bring:

•  any drawing and painting materials you already have and like to use
• a bagged lunch
• attire to get messy

The instructor will provide paper, graphite sticks, charcoal, pencil crayons, chalk pastels, oil pastels, India ink, brushes, acrylic paint and mediums.

Your instructor, Darcy Johnson, has been a visual artist for almost 30 years. Her studio is in Nanaimo and she has had a number of local art exhibitions. Darcy has participated in artist residencies in France and New York City which both included final group exhibitions. Along with teaching high school visual art, Darcy has given various art lectures and workshops over the years. She has a Masters degree in Art Education and has passionately followed art and artists around the world.