What makes for a strong abstract painting? Why do some paintings hold instant appeal while others just don't work? In this workshop, we'll study subject and composition elements for strong abstract painting design. We'll examine the design of several successful abstract paintings from different artists and learn more about what design elements make those paintings successful. We'll be playing with design elements, especially line and texture—two elements that the instructor Laila Jensen focuses on in her own work. Participants will create their own piece as we work through the day.

Please Bring the Following Materials:

• At least one canvas, any size. You may want to work on two canvases, in which case, please bring a second one
• Your own acrylic paints and brushes, whatever you have
• A palette knife, if you use one
• Pencil or charcoal
• Paper towel or shop towels
• Small sheets of paper for sketching (watercolour or mixed media paper recommended, but any paper will do)
• Three abstract paintings, by any artist, that you find strong and appealing (printed or on your phone or tablet)

Optional Materials (Please Bring if You Have; Otherwise, the Instructor Will Provide):

• Textured paper
• Acrylic paste, whatever kind you have
• Inks or watersoluble markers (no alcohol inks)
• An abstract painting of your own that you don't feel "works" and that you'd like to discover options for improvements

Instructor will Provide:

• Venetian plaster
• Variety of papers, markers, and inks for participants to borrow

About Your Instructor:

As a mixed media artist, Laila work in layers using plaster, pastes and papers, inks and ink pencils, chalk pastels and metallic leaf. She achieved Signature Status with the Federation of Canadian Artists in 2021 and won first place in the Federation’s Abstracted Exhibition in 2020 for her work, "Devotion," which is featured on the class poster.