Oil & Cold Wax
A Focus on Color
with Lisa Pressman
October 2-7, 2024
2 Spots Now Available
During this four-day workshop, we will explore the versatility and richness of painting with oil and cold wax medium, with a particular focus on color. Through a series of exercises and demonstrations, you will learn how to manipulate the properties of transparency, opacity, and temperature using a limited palette. This will not only expand your understanding of color but also provide you with a new vocabulary and vision for your artistic expression.
One of the key objectives of this workshop is to help you develop your ability to see. We will discuss different ways of perceiving and understanding visual information, allowing you to deepen your observation skills. By studying and analyzing the work of other artists, as well as exploring various techniques, you will gain a greater insight into the power of observation and interpretation in your own art.
Lisa will demonstrate how to effectively use different painting tools, such as brushes, knives, and scrapers to create a range of marks, textures, and surface treatments. This will enable you to build layers, excavate, mono-print, glaze, and explore endless possibilities for mark-making. We will also discuss the significance of composition, space, and scale in creating impactful and engaging artwork. During the workshop, there will be high-energy sessions featuring experimentation with a multitude of materials. She will schedule fast-paced demos and exercises along with plenty of painting time, personal attention, and group discussions. During the workshop, you will look at slideshows that address art history and the development of artwork over time.
Materials List
1 pad of Arches oil paper 9” x 12” (recommended but the paper can be mixed media paper or gessoed water color paper) taped with a one inch border (painters tape) around the edges and also in half for painting exercise. (PLEASE TAPE BEFORE CLASS)
3-5 Ampersand Encaustic Board, Gesso Board or gessoed Birch panels.
(Instructor recommends the panels being the same size.)
Oil Paint: One large tube of Titanium white and plus a variety of colors: Choose colors that you like to paint with. I like Gamblin and Williamsburg paints. Look for combination of transparent and opaque choices as seen on the tubes or color charts. Make sure you have warms and cools and a large titanium white.
1 can of Gamblin cold wax (not the gallon)
Drawing materials: graphite, pencils
At least 4-6 palette knives
silicone bowl scraper (from amazon) or/ and large (worth the money )
SEVERAL soft rubber brayers speedball 4 inch, 6 inch
disposable paper palette 12” x 16” or freezer paper + blue painters tape
Anything that you think might make interesting texture—nothing fancy or expensive, they will get paint on them.
wax paper for layering between wet panels
cardboard (pizza boxes!) for transporting wet work
cheap tissue paper (wrapping tissue paper)
any specific stencils that you may want to use (we will have some stencils to choose from)
rags or paper towels
straight edge razor blades
box of latex or nitrile gloves
pack of unscented baby wipes
R&F Handmade Paints will provide some Pigment Sticks for the Workshop. Bring your own if you have any.
About Lisa
My career as an exhibiting artist started in 1979. In 1981, I completed my MFA in Painting from Bard College. My artistic practice has since centered on painting; primarily, abstraction and experimentation with a great variety of media. I am a core instructor for R&F Handmade Paints in Kingston, NY and ambassador for Ampersand Art Panels. As an annual presenter and instructor at the International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown, MA, I teach regularly while continually learning from my colleagues and course participants. My workshops in “Encaustic Painting” and “Oil, Cold Wax and Multi-Mediums” are offered annually throughout the U.S. and Europe. I enjoy the chance to work with graduate and undergraduate students in both the classroom and studio environments, along with leading presentations for a range of participants.
The tenets of my teaching are centered in years of experience working with conceptually-driven painterly abstraction and my love of layered materiality. All of my teaching concentrates on content, creativity, art making and of course, technique. I place a particular emphasis on helping students to discover their unique marks and concepts.
Artists attending these workshops want and need to revisit the fundamentals of art, including facets of their practice spanning color, composition, and mark making. We cover these important aspects of what completes a painting. We have high-energy sessions featuring experimentation across a multitude of materials. I schedule fast-paced demos and exercises for participants alongside ample painting time, personal attention and group discussions with course attendees.
My specialty centers around each individual’s needs, with focused attention paid to visual editing and critique. I provide personal, one-on-one teaching time to my students so we can discuss their specific questions and what is happening in their work.
Each class is a different experience, which taps into my personal interests as it is thrilling for me to be able to contribute to the art community in this meaningful and personal way!
Your Red Thread Retreat fee includes:
- 5 nights lodging
- Dinner Wednesday thru Sunday
- Lunch Thursday thru Sunday
- Self-serve breakfast each morning
- 4 days of class 9 AM - 4:30 PM (1 hr lunch break)
- 24 Hr art room access
The DETAILS
Location: Blue Mountain Retreat Center is located steps away from the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, at the junction of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Walk along the river path and cross the bridge to historic Harpers Ferry. Enjoy the clean mountain air just an hour away from three major airports.
Dates: October 2 - 6, 2024
Arrive Wednesday, October 2 after 3 PM and in time for 6:30 dinner.
Class is Thursday thru Sunday October 3-6, from 9-4 with 1 hour lunch break.
Depart Monday morning, October 7 by 10 AM
All rooms are offered on a first come basis. Payment due in full if registering after August 1, 2024.
As always, the retreat cost is all inclusive except for the $25 materials fee due to instructor at the beginning of class.
(Massage appointments available upon arrival. $85/1 hour session, paid directly to retreat center owner, Beth Ehrhardt LCMT, a licensed massage therapist, and an excellent one at that!)
Cancellation Policy - Please read!
Cancellation by or before April 14th, 2024 - Full refund less a $150 cancellation and processing fee
There will be no refunds after April 15th, 2024, but if you or I find someone to take your spot, you will receive a full refund less the non-refundable $150 fee.
SEE YOU THERE IN
