Developing Your Cohesive Abstract Art Style with Jay Ginsherman
Tuesdays, April 29th to June 18th, 2025
(8 weeks)
8:00- 9:30 pm
all materials included
 
In this class students will develop their abstract style to create a body of work that is cohesive and unique. Abstract art is defined as creating forms that use lines, shapes, and colours to communicate feelings, as opposed to a representative depiction of reality. Many artists use these forms and colours to create a signature, recognizable look to their art, and express their individuality. Students will explore shapes, lines, and colours that correspond to their values and create three abstract paintings that share a cohesive and unique visual style that they can expand upon in their future artistic endeavors.
 
(This is a part two of the Discovering Your Abstract Art Style class, however, students who have not taken the class but want to hone in on their abstract art style or develop a unique method of art making are encouraged to take it!)
 
Materials Included:
Watercolor Paint
Watercolor paper
Pencil HB
Eraser
Acrylic Paint
Canvases 
Glue
Brushes, easels, sponges, and scissors 
 
Class 1. Values, Emotion, and Feelings
Students will fill out a questionnaire about their values or emotions. After choosing three values or emotions, students will draw shapes and lines that express them on paper that will be divided into nine squares called a ‘values matrix’. The matrix encourages students to brainstorm shapes and lines that they associate with each value or emotion and match them together. Students will begin exploring the forms that they came up with.
 
Class 2. Colour
Students will explore how colour relates to their chosen values or emotions. Students will make colour field paintings on each of the nine sections from their values matrix. 
 
Class 3. Forms
Students will explore the shapes and lines from their values matrix by using watercolor painting. Students will cut the values matrix into three sections and create three abstract works, one for each section. Students will reflect and examine which shapes and lines resonate with them the most.
 
Class 4: Texture and Mark-Making
Students will explore different mark-making techniques. They will experiment with layering, scraping, drip painting, brush strokes that will be inspired by forms created during the previous class. 
 
Class 5. Composition
Students will take the three works they created and cut out shapes that either resonate with them or that they are curious about. Instructor will do a lecture on the rules of composition, i.e. gravity, rhythm, rule of thirds, and movement of the eye. Students will use these rules of composition to create a colleague out of their chosen shapes using glue. Students will make three collage works that have similar colours, shapes and lines. This can be used for a base for their final composition. Class adds in feedback on what they want to learn for their final work, i.e. if they want a demonstration on painting techniques.
 
Class 6. Beginning Final Work
Students will create three paintings that have a common theme inspired by their personal values or key emotions. They will begin by sketching out a composition on each canvas. Students may use the cut outs of their previous work in a collage fashion if they so choose. Class can start painting the background or dominant elements of their work, depending on what style they are developing.
 
Class 7. Next Steps
Students continue with their final three works
This class structure will be determined by feedback from class 5.
 
Class 8. Finishing Work and Final Critique
Class will finish their final three works, ending with a group critique. Class will debrief and reflect on what they learned. 
 
*Credit will be offered for absences with one-week prior notice. If you are feeling unwell, we will happily reschedule.