The Nitty-Gritty in New Orleans | Julie Schumer

Instructor: Julie Schumer (View Bio)

Dates: November 10-13, 2024

Registration Deadline: October 1, 2024

Level: Beginner

Class Size: 10

Daily Lunch Included: Yes

This fall, we're getting down to the nitty-gritty!  Award-winning creator of the "Dive Into Abstract Painting™" series - Julie Schumer - is getting down to the real nitty-gritty of abstract painting in this 4-day, immersive abstract painting experience.

Are you a beginner interested in creating abstract paintings that feed your soul but don’t know where to start?  Are you returning to your creative practice after a long hiatus?

In this fun, hands-on 4-day workshop, we'll cover:

• Basic materials to have on hand

• Ways of setting up your studio

• Getting into the right mindset to immerse yourself in abstract painting

• How to get and stay loose

• Beginning to find your artistic voice

• Fundamentals of color and how to avoid color chaos

• Mark making and finding your signature marks as well as how to use them to enhance your work

• Ways of starting a painting so you are never at a loss

• Fundamentals of composition

• Building depth through layering and working your painting from the start to the finish line

We will work 40 X 30” and larger with a focus on learning to trust your creative intelligence, which will lead you to approach your painting with confidence and joy.

Are You...

• New to abstract painting or returning to your creative practice after a long hiatus?

• Stuck in a rut making the same mistakes over and over again?

• Wondering what materials you need to have on hand and how you should set up your studio?

• Wondering how to loosen up your paintings and find your unique, creative voice?

• Trying to find new ways of starting a painting that will get your creative juices flowing?

• Wondering how to eliminate color chaos from your work, improve your compositions and build depth in your paintings?

• Trying to figure out what materials to use to make marks that will enliven your paintings?

• Wondering how to decide when your painting is finished?

What People Are Saying

Julie’s workshops are amazing.  She helps you unlock your spark and push past your boundaries into new territory.  Loved every minute. -Diane Semper

“The course is brilliantly organized and very well structured.  Julie is an amazing painter and a teacher who’s really pleasant and motivating to listen to and watch.  The whole material covers useful key points.  The course is fantastic.  It opens doors to a new area and liberates you from classical and conventional approaches to painting and art.”  Elvis M.

I did Julie’s Abstract workshop in May and had the most wonderful time. The space was an artist dream workspace. She introduced us to new tools and new techniques which helped push me to explore my art making in a new way. Julie was an informed and encouraging teacher. And a pleasure to get to know better as I have long been an admirer of her work. I recommend her workshops with highest acclaim! -Robin Hamaker

Julie’s workshop was informative, inspiring, and helped build my confidence and momentum–which was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed learning the loosening up techniques to help get started when faced with a blank canvas and not sure where/how to start; and also had fun exploring with new paint and drawing tools that produced surprisingly great results. The walking tour of galleries, experimenting with color and painting large were additional highlights of the weekend. Julie is a wonderful guide, a gracious host and very generous in sharing her extensive knowledge. I loved getting wild and re-igniting my creative spirit. Look forward to taking another workshop soon! -Rose H. Faissal

Every day of the workshop was an eye opener.  After experiencing the tools and techniques, I am confident I now can go paint big.  Great to work in community.  It is great benefit to have two teaches each with their own unique perspectives. -A Rogone

By the end of course you will have:

• Learned how to set up your studio, organize and experiment with your materials and tools, and adopt the right mindset.

• Learned the fundamentals of color and how to mix a monochromatic  palette, neutral palette, and harmonious 4 color palette as well as  endless color using black, white, red and yellow.

• Discovered your own, unique mark making vocabulary and how to energize your work with marks.

• Learned various ways to start a painting so you are never at a loss.

• Learned what makes a bold, dynamic composition and how to divide the  space on the picture plane to lead your viewer’s eye through your  painting.

• Learned how to create a focal point or area of interest in your painting

• Created depth and layers in your work using flux and obliteration.

• Created a painting from start to finish.

• Learned a set of criteria you can use to evaluate when your painting is finished.