Acrylics Bold and Bright | Mellissa Read-Devine

Learn to enjoy painting with acrylics in a contemporary impressionist way.

What will I learn?

Mellissa is keen to help you be able to find your own style and will encourage you to paint bolder and brighter, with an emphasis on clear vibrant colour combinations. The weekend will be spent painting the landscape and the birdlife in it.

Day 1 will be spent interpreting the landscape from photos and colour mixing for paintings that glow

Day 2 will be the figurative addition to the landscape – Australian birds will be demonstrated, but you are welcome to paint an animal instead. How to compose your painting and bring a sense of narrative and personality into the work.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This is suitable for all levels of experience including absolute beginners.

What do I need to bring?

3-6 stretched Canvasses or Wooden Panels depending on size and how quickly you paint.  Minimum size 20”x20”, maximum whatever you can fit in your car! - your own choice of shape.  I would suggest you already seal your canvas with at least one coat of gesso to save time.

Acrylic Paint (Mellissa uses Matisse Structure, but you can bring what you have)
Titanium White
Naples Yellow
2 different yellows
2 different reds – eg Alizarin/Magenta & Cadmium
2 different blues – eg Ultramarine/pthalo blue & Cerulean
2 of your favourite complementary colours – purple/orange/bright green
Dioxyzine purple is a recommended colour
Paynes Grey and the Siennas are optional ( Mellissa does not use these in her paintings)

Brushes
Synthetic preferred, not too soft, not too stiff – filbert, bright/flat or round. in assorted sizes eg. 12/10/8/6
Small brush for detail
Old round brush approx size 10/12
Larger brushes – eg cheap hake or small painters brushes

Other
Paper w/tape and backing board, or several small cheap painting boards for paint sketches
Water spray
Jar for water
“Drying Retarder” or “Open Medium”
Palette knife (for mixing paint)
Palette – the flatter the better, white plastic plates are good, or a disposable palette
If painting large – bring some small plastic pots/recycled tins to put paint in
Rags/paper towel
Apron
Paper & soft pencils, charcoal for sketches

Image references/photos/sketches/digital on tablet

What is provided

• tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• a friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• connection to the Bienarté art community

About Mellissa Read-Devine

The recipient of many Australian art prizes, Mellissa’s style is distinctive with her electric palette and layered application of brush strokes. 

Mellissa’s paintings have evolved into her “macropointilist” style celebrating the shape, colour and brushstroke of contemporary impressionism. These characteristics come together presenting unique representations sought after by both Australian and international collectors alike.

Mellissa Read-Devine is a Fellow of the Royal Art Society of NSW and is the Acrylics tutor at the RAS Art School.