Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Skillshare

Master Studies - Creating Abstract Art Inspired By The Masters' Color Palettes

via Skillshare

Overview

In this class, we are going to be studying the Masters like Degas and Cézanne! I love the idea of doing some master studies to push outside our comfort zones and learn new things. In this class we aren't going to do the traditional study where we are trying to replicate whole paintings, we are going to study the color palettes the masters used and see how we can incorporate their color palettes in our own work. 

We are going to start out by gathering inspiration from the art we can find online or from some art books, you might have or might get, you could even take a trip to the museum and gather inspiration in person if you are so inclined. I am using "Basic Art Series. TEN in ONE. Impressionism" book - with a nice selection of impressionist painters to gather inspiration from in class.

You can use any of the old masters you find inspiring to do your studies. Once we identify a few paintings that we love, we'll then break out what colors are used in the art and create some of our own art using these colors. It is a wonderful way to work with some interesting, proven color palettes. I always learn new things when I start projects and push outside my comfort zone.

If color is your problem area, the thing you dread the most when you start creating... then this will be an especially helpful exercise for you. 

This class is for you if:

  • You love learning new techniques for your art
  • You are interested in creating some art with interesting, proven color palettes inspired by an old master
  • You love watching how others approach their art practice
  • You love experimenting with your art supplies

Supplies: 

These are the supplies I'll be using in class... definitely get creative and experiment if you have some other supplies or ideas that come to you as you go through the class.

  • Your choice of paper you like to work with. I'm using FAbrianoColdpress Watercolor paper 140 lb in class.
  • Palette or palette paper
  • A variety of paint brushes and palette knives is what I'm using in class. 
  • Acrylic paint - I'm using some Liquitex Basics colors and some heavy body acrylics for the different projects.
  • Gesso - I'm using some gesso with my paints to make them gritty to accept other mediums on top - I have clear and white I like to use.
  • Mark-making options - I am using mostly some Sennelier Soft Pastels and my Mechanical Pencil to mark make.
  • Acrylic ink - I'm using indigo in one of the projects as it was handy and was the color I needed. 
  • Artist tape or painters tape - I like to tape the edges and peel the tape to reveal the final piece
  • Any other art supplies you think you might want to play in as you pick out your master color palette and experiment with the abstract techniques of your choice.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Class project
  • Inspiration
  • Supplies
  • Degas Color Study
  • Degas Finishing Touches
  • Rousseau Color Study
  • Rousseau Finishing Touches
  • Toulouse-Lautrec Color Study
  • Toulouse-Lautrec Finishing Touches
  • Cézanne Color Study
  • Cézanne Finishing Touches
  • Fixing Rough Edges
  • Final Thoughts

Taught by

DENISE LOVE

Reviews

Start your review of Master Studies - Creating Abstract Art Inspired By The Masters' Color Palettes

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.