3 Over 3 – Abstraction by Design | Michael Shemchuk

Workshop: 3 over 3 – An Abstraction by Design Workshop

Instructor: Michael Shemchuk (View Instructor Bio)

Dates: Aug 26-29, 2025

Level: All

Size: 12

Tuition: $1,150

Food/Drink: Complimentary coffee and catered lunch provided in the studio each day.

In this workshop we produce a modular (3 over 3) 9- panel installation.

Goal:

Design a motif with color, shape, texture, composition and apply the AbD techniques to each panel individually to set up a dialog for all nine panels to work in concert. But, Let’s keep it simple. To accomplish this requires discipline in our creative process from start to finish.

We focus on this discipline by pre-designing, pre-mixing and pre--selecting our materials and colors. We then reference our visual triggers, inspiring images, personal notions and ideas of color and composition. Referencing our visual triggers and pre-editing concepts at the very beginning of our project act as a regulator, encouraging one to keep it simple by guiding us to selectively add and remove color, lines, forms and shapes incrementally and with purpose as we compose quiet abstract compositions. This parameter allows us to fully focus on our design and composition skills, while creating a manageable interplay between the panels. The result is a completed body of work as a harmonious installation.

AbD Abstraction by Design

The Abstraction by Design method is the process of exploring collage & painting techniques by layering paint and paper simultaneously on panels. Collaging involves color selection, paper choices, placement, glueing, mark making, composition and surface extraction. Painting involves panel prep, trowel application, brushing, sanding, surface manipulations, paint mixing and texturing. The AbD techniques and the layering of paper and paint enables one to sand, scrape, wet, peel, paint, collage and repeat to create controlled and incidental textured surfaces. We use acrylic polyurethane as a glue to attach papers, as a resist coat, and as a top coat as well.

A.R.R. Action-Review-Reaction

We begin the AbD process with an action i.e. applying paint or collage to our panels. Pause and review

the action. Then react. This requires taking time to observe your work, measure your response to both the controlled (deliberate) and spontaneous (incidents ). Follow these A.R.R principles as a disciplined approach to create your work.

Materials Provided with Registration

Flat white latex house paint

Flat black latex house paint

Gloss acrylic urethane/varnish

Supply List

9-16x16” x 7/8” cradled panels. See Blick item 07044-1616

Collage papers ( Color, pattern, graphics, craft, re-purposed) and color tissue Link

Color paint. 1-6 colors of latex or acrylic artist paint source locally

Black Tissue 20+ sheets 20”x30”

Newsprint 10-16 sheets 18”x22”(Blick) or Packing Paper

2-4 sheets copy/office paper (white)

1-6”wide full flexible joint knife

1-2” putty knife.

1- atomizer (spray bottle)

1- scrubber sponge.

1-2-sheets 80grit sandpaper and 1- sanding block. ( wood block 2.5”x3.5”x.75” works well)

8+ 2” chip brushes

8+ pint/quart plastic mixing containers with covers

2- plastic gallon bucket (for water)

Scissors, utility knife, wiping rags, paint stir sticks, white cards, artist brushes

Optional: hair dryer or heat gun

Optional: Additional cradled panels