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Discover the Best Abstract Painting Classes in Los Angeles
While some painters create recognizable images and figures, Abstract painters work in an abstract style, using elements like lines, shapes, colors, and textures to express their ideas. For example, they might use colors to convey particular emotions, and forms like curves and lines to create depth and movement. This type of art is highly subjective, with every viewer interpreting it differently based on his or her own unique perspective and experience.
Abstract painting is believed to have originated in the early twentieth century, and marks a turning point in art history, because it encouraged artists to focus on expression rather than just representation. This type of art has been influential in the development of modern art, and is very popular today. It also continues to evolve; in fact, one of the key elements of abstract painting is that artists have a lot of freedom to experiment.
Why You Should Learn Abstract Painting in Los Angeles
Many people decide to learn abstract painting simply because they enjoy it. This type of art involves a great deal of artistic freedom since artists are not bound by the rules of traditional art. Instead, they have the freedom to create almost anything they can imagine. Many Abstract painters say that this process is also extremely meditative and therapeutic.
Learning abstract painting can also be rewarding because it involves mastering challenging new concepts. While this style of art may appear chaotic and spontaneous, there is actually a lot of skill involved. Learning abstract painting skills often requires experimentation and a lot of practice, however, mastering these skills can be very rewarding.
In-Person Abstract Painting Classes in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a large and diverse city, with a busy art scene, and a number of in-person abstract painting classes for students interested in learning this skill.
Pastimes for a Lifetime is a Los Angeles area school located in Van Nuys, which is about 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Owner and artist Linda Wehrli has been teaching art since 2009, and her goal is to create and nurture pastimes that people can enjoy for a lifetime. She offers a class called Painting with Acrylics 301, where students can learn abstract painting, in addition to a number of other styles. In this class she covers how to mix colors, how to prepare a canvas, how to use brushes, and how to clean brushes. Tuition is $160, and there are four sessions. A supply list is available online.
Another class in the Los Angeles area is Weekly Oil Painting/Drawing. This class takes place at the Art Studio in Westminster, which is about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Weekly Oil Painting/Drawing is taught by professional artists, who can offer students as much help as they need. As a result, asking questions is highly recommended. The class is project-based, and students can sign up for a single three-hour class, for $45, or a monthly package of four sessions, for $180. The monthly package is suggested so that students will have time to finish a project. Students can work in whatever style they choose, including abstract. The Art Studio was founded by local artists in 1994, and offers a variety of different art classes and workshops. It aims to tailor the teaching process in order to meet the unique needs of each individual student.
The Art Studio also runs a class called Weekly Portrait & Figure. In this class, students can also work in whatever style they choose. There are four class sessions, at a cost of $220. Instructors cover values, the subtlety of form, refining edges, how to get a likeness, and putting it all together. There is a live model for the last class session. Studio supplies are available to use for a $5 fee.
Virtual Abstract Painting Classes
An alternative to learning in person is to sign up for a virtual abstract painting class. Virtual classes resemble in-person classes in the way that they include live instruction and interaction, but they offer more flexibility than the in-person format, because students are not limited to attending in a physical location nearby. In addition, virtual classes tend to be less expensive.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a three-hour virtual class called Color & Saturation: Watercoloring Still Lifes, where students learn about watercolor techniques, color combinations, and tonal intensity, while working on a painting. They paint either from a live arrangement of flowers, or a photograph provided by the instructor, making loose impressions, and combining them with more detailed elements. Tuition is $59, and students must supply their own materials. A supply list is available online.
Another abstract painting class option is Abstract Painting, a four-session class run by the Richmond Art Center, which is a community organization that encourages people to make and share art. The center offers a variety of art classes, both in-person and virtually. Abstract Painting focuses on abstract painting techniques, with students working in whatever medium they are most comfortable with. The class is for intermediate-level students, and costs $120. It runs through Zoom, with an average of 12 people per class.
Online Painting with Acrylics 301 is another virtual class that covers abstract painting, in addition to a number of other painting styles. This class is offered by Pastimes for a Lifetime, which is based in California. Instructor Linda Wehrli, who has been teaching art since 1989, teaches this four-session course, covering canvas preparation and color mixing in addition to the different styles of painting. Students need to supply their own materials, and can find a suggested list online. Tuition is $160.
Private Group Abstract Painting Classes in Los Angeles
If you’re trying to find the perfect hands-on group activity for a party or work event, take a look at CourseHorse’s private group abstract painting classes. CourseHorse offers a wide range of different classes, with no booking fees, and no registration required. As long as you meet the group minimum, you can even make changes to your total group size up to 72 hours before the event.
The Virtual Watercolor Workshop is a group class that is focused on an abstract painting technique called “wet on wet.” With this technique, participants build up layers of watercolor paint, and then let it flow, so that a unique image is created. Each participant in this class gets to choose their own image to work on. CourseHorse has a catalog of images, or participants can supply one of their own. This class runs for an hour and a half, can be taken by up to 255 people at one time, and costs $75 per person. All the supplies that the participants need are shipped to them ahead of time.
In the Virtual Acrylic Pour Art, students also work in an abstract style. This class involves pouring paint. Students also get to experiment with a variety of different colors and techniques. Up to 100 people can be enrolled at a cost of $90 per person. All necessary supplies–including pouring paint, silicone oil, and painting tools–are all shipped to participants prior to the start of the class. For an extra $30 per person, a bottle of wine can also be included in each shipment.
CourseHorse generally runs classes through Zoom, but it also supports Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, or WebEx. For more information about scheduling a private painting class, or to discuss other options, contact CourseHorse.
