Are you stuck in a rut making paintings that don't visually excite you because they lack adequate contrast?

Wondering how you can use color, value, marks and depth to create more contrast in your work?

Curious which materials and tools you can use create more contrast in your work?

Use the secret weapon of contrast to transform your work and achieve your artistic vision.

I have been painting for over 20 years and well know the challenges of trying to figure out how to use the elements of abstract painting to create work that is visually exciting. This course is suitable for all levels of painters including those who are returning to their creative practice after a long hiatus.

What to Expect

This is a self-paced online course designed to be completed in 4 weeks.

  • How to stay inspired and motivated in the studio.

  • The importance of contrast and how to create it.

  • A survey of paints, mediums, painting and mark making tools, including both the conventional and unconventional.

  • Using color and value to create contrast in your work.

  • Using marks to enhance contrast.

  • Using shapes as a start and as a means of increasing contrast in your work.

  • Developing a painting from start to finish, infused with the different ways of creating contrast.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • [To Do] Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Software

    • [Read] Tour of the Learning Portal-Exploring Contrast

    • [Watch] Welcome To Dive Into Abstract Painting: Exploring Contrast

    • [Read] Supplies: Materials Handout

    • [To Do] Join Our Private Facebook Group
  • 2

    Introduction

    • [Listen] Embracing and Developing your Creative Practice

    • [Listen] The Importance of Contrast and Ways to Create it-

    • [Read] Embracing and Developing Your Creative Practice

    • [Read] Creating Visual Contrast in Your Paintings

    • [Read] [Bonus] 8 Tips to Strengthening Your Own Creative Voice
  • 3

    Module 1: Materials Review

    • [Watch] Paints and Mediums

    • [Watch] Mark Making Tools

    • [Watch] Painting Tools: Try the Unconventional

    • [Watch] Make Your Own Long Handled Brush-

    • [Read] An Introduction to Acrylic Mediums and Additives

    • [Read] [Bonus] Setting up Your Studio

    • [Read and Do] In Your Studio
  • 4

    Module 2: Color as a Way to Inject Contrast into Your Work

    • [Listen] Introduction

    • [Read] Explore Color and Value Fundamentals

    • [Watch] Value and Contrast

    • [Watch] Desaturate a Saturated Color

    • [Watch] Create a Complementary Palette

    • [Watch] Create a 3 Color Harmonious Palette with Contrast

    • [Read] Does Your Painting Have Enough Variety of Values

    • [Read] [Bonus] Using Color to Evoke Mood and Emotion in Your Paintings

    • [Read and Do] In Your Studio
  • 5

    Module 3: Using Marks to Enhance Contrast

    • [Listen] Introduction

    • [Watch] Know Your Unique Marks

    • [Watch] Create Variation in Your Marks

    • [Watch] Create Contrast with Line

    • [Watch] Layer Marks and Paint to Create Contrast

    • [Read and Do] In Your Studio
  • 6

    Module 4: Beginning and Building a Painting: Shapes and Contrast

    • [Listen] Introduction

    • [Watch] Start with One Geometric Shape

    • [Watch] Start with Three Geometric Shapes

    • [Watch] Combine Geometric and Organic Shapes

    • [Watch] Building a Painting with Shapes

    • [Read] The Meaning of Shapes

    • [Read and Do] In Your Studio

  • 7

    Module 5: Embracing Contrast from Start to Finish

    • [Listen] Introduction

    • [Watch] Embracing Contrast Exercise 1

    • [Watch] Embracing Contrast Exercise 2-

    • [Watch] Working Through a Start

    • [Read] Exercise Instructions 1 & 2

    • [Read] Composition and Contrast

    • [Read] [Bonus] When is a Painting Finished

    • [Read and Do] In Your Studio
  • 8

    Conclusion

    • [Watch] Conclusion

    • Before You Go

    • Other Online Courses

Plus!

The course includes membership in Art Smart Workshops - a private Facebook community where you can interact with artists like you and obtain additional support from Julie. Share your work, talk about the assignments as you work through the course and get new ideas and inspiration.

What's Included

  • Access to the Dive Into Abstract Painting: Exploring Contrast Course
  • Membership in the private Art Smart Workshops Facebook Community ($497 value)
  • PLUS 3 Bonus handouts:
    • 8 Tips to Strengthening Your Own Creative Voice
    • Setting Up Your Studio
    • Using Color to Evoke Mood and Emotion in Your Paintings [$300 value]

Total Value of the Course plus Bonuses is $1194
On Sale for the price of $197
(plus sales tax, if applicable)

Sign up for any two courses and save!

  • $537.00

    $537.00Dive Into Abstract Painting Fundamentals + Exploring Contrast

    Save $247 if you sign up for both!
    Buy Now

  • $497.00

    $497.00Dive Into Abstract Painting Fundamentals + Mark Making

    Save $147 if you sign up for both!
    Buy Now

  • $497.00

    $497.00Dive Into Abstract Painting Mark Making + Contrast

    Save $147 if you sign up for both!
    Buy Now

Watch a Sample Video


Materials List

Tap Here for Materials List

What People Are Saying

"An Excellent Teacher"

by Petra M.

While I have studied other visual art forms, Julie introduced me to an impressive array of materials, concepts, and methods in a short amount of time — on a scale that is not readily accessible to me. She is an excellent teacher, providing enough direction to guide me through an approach to painting, as well as time and space for my own exploration, and discussion and reflection. I left feeling confident to experiment on my own, which is really what I was after.

"Exactly What I Needed"

by Rose H. Faissal

Julie’s workshop was informative, inspiring, and helped build my confidence and momentum–which was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed learning the loosening up techniques to help get started when faced with a blank canvas and not sure where/how to start; and also had fun exploring with new paint and drawing tools that produced surprisingly great results.

FAQ

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    You will have access to the course and to the Facebook community for as long as you want.

  • Do I have access to the full course at once?

    Yes, all modules of the course are available now.

  • How long will it take me to complete the course?

    Depending on how much time you have available to work on the course, it is designed to be completed in 4 weeks. This is a self-paced course that you can complete at your own convenience.

  • What is your refund policy?

    Upon your request, you will receive a full, no questions asked refund within 7 days of your purchase of the course.

  • Do I have to join the Facebook group?

    No, but it will enhance your learning experience to meet other similarly situated artists. It is also an opportunity to interact with Julie!

  • What do I do if I have technical support issues with accessing the course?

    Send Julie an email to [email protected] and we will resolve your issue as quickly as possible. You do not need any special computer skills to be able to take the course. If you are able to create an account online, log in, download written material and watch videos from a website you will be able to navigate the course on the Thinkific learning platform.