Loose and Fresh Painting in Oils | Ann Strini

Join Ann Strini in this alla prima oil painting workshop as you explore a modern, loose approach to capturing still lifes. 

Ann paints daily using this method in her own professional practice, having studied under several teachers in Australia and abroad. Her friendly approach and intuitive, easy-to-learn methods help give students the structure and confidence to tackle difficult subjects with ease.

What will I learn?

In this weekend workshop, students will gain knowledge on the basic principles of alla prima “wet on wet” oil painting, including how modern painters use alla prima techniques to create bold, energetic, fresh paintings.

Specifically, you will explore and learn more about:

• Simplification: how to create, set-up and/or identify eye-catching compositions that work
• Approximation: how to capitalize on the principles of abstraction and impressionism to create looser, modern-looking paintings
• Visible mark-making: how to leverage your brushes and their surfaces to add variety, direct focus and accentuate the dimensionality of your subject(s)
• Intentional contrasts and blending harmony: how to choose values, shades and tones for each object and across a painting to create movement and cohesion across the whole canvas
• Cutting-in and over: learn how opaque layering can work for you to create a fresher contrast and add interest between subject(s) and background

Who is this course suitable for?

This workshop welcomes painters of all levels – especially beginners. 

Experienced painters will also benefit and may find alla prima techniques help shorten the time it takes them to complete large works. 

Please note - some understanding of painting and/or drawing will be helpful.

What do I need to bring?

Canvas and Boards:

• 1 12x12” primed canvas
• 2 canvas boards – 5 x 7”, 8 x 8”, 10x 10” or 12x12” – for studies

Oil Paints:

• Winsor & Newton Professional Paints: Ultramarine Blue, Alazarin Crimson, Permanent Rose, Zinc White, Titanium White, Transparent Red Oxide or Transparent Earth Red, Cadmium Yellow Medium (can be Cadmium-Free)
• Winton: Pthalo Blue
• Gamblin Indian Yellow
• Optional: Windsor & Newton Raw Umber, Cadmium Scarlet

Medium:

• Gamsol or other non-odorless mineral spirit
• Langridge refined linseed oil
• 1-2 glass or metal sealable jars to hold medium
• Metal cup / eyedropper to hold/ dispense oil onto palette

Brushes and Palette Knives:

Please bring an assortment of flat brushes and detailers – I recommend and use:

• 2” or wider flat paintbrush (for toning your canvas)
• Neef Synthetic Flats: #12, #10, #8, #6, #4
• Rosemary & Co. Evergreen: Angular ¾”, ¼” and 1/8” (or other detailers)
• 1-2 palette knives

Other Materials

• Artist palette - New Wave glass or disposable grey pad paper palettes
• Paper Towels
• Apron
• Smart phone or tablet with camera function – to take and reference photo to use during painting process
• Cleaning Wet Wipes (highly recommended)
• Disposable Gloves (highly recommended)

Please bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by. We do have a fridge and microwave at the studio for your convenience.

OPTIONAL Helpful Tools to Make Painting &  Clean Up Easier:

• Pencil or chalk – if you prefer to sketch your shapes before toning
• Acrylic transparent red sheet  (art stores) – lets you see values vs. colors
• Viewfinder (art stores) – helps place objects into a proportioned frame
• 8mm Corflute sheet cut to 16” x 16” (Bunnings) — wet canvas “carrier”
• Clean/ empty pizza boxes – wet canvas carrier with a lid
• Grid Ruler (quilting/ sewing shops) – helps locate grid points on a canvas
• Plastic paint scraper (Bunnings) – cleans glass palettes without scratches
• Metal sculpting pottery tool (dollar stores) – allows you to ‘etch’ your signature into wet oil paint

What is Provided:

• Easels, chairs, tables
• Plastic Buckets for discarded paper towels
• Tea and Coffee  - please bring your own mug
• A friendly and supportive environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

About Strini Biography

Ann Strini is an emerging modern impressionist artist who migrated to Australia in 2015 and re-started her art practice in 2021. Inspired by the leafy surrounds of Brisbane and the laid-back coastal vibes of the Sunshine Coast, Ann has a passion for capturing joyful, saturated landscapes with mesmerizing patterns and close-up still life subjects that reveal playful details.

A daily painter, Ann practices the “alla prima” technique, painting in plein air and from images she takes of nature or during travels abroad. “Because I’ve learned my craft through years of daily practice, in-person courses and workshops, online classes, books, and trial-and-error, I think of my artist education as self-lived. My goal is to share the plethora of tips and techniques I’ve learned along the way to help make oil painting less intimidating, more accessible, easier to gain confidence in and more enjoyable as a lifelong activity.”

Ann has exhibited in galleries in QLD, VIC & NSW and has sold works to private collectors in the US, South Africa and Australia.

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