ZEN ABSTRACTS
$59.00
- Class is Open – Self Study
- Instructor – Julie Ahmad
- 9 Lessons/1+ hour of Instruction
- Lifetime Access/Downloadable Content
- Private FB Group
- Course Price – $59USD
Description
Would You Like to Combine a Joyful Meditative Process with the End Resulting in a Creation of Something Beautiful, Made from Your Own Hands?
In Zen Abstracts, you will be given the tools and knowledge to learn this intuitive approach to layered mixed media abstract painting. Step by step, I will guide you through the process of understanding the properties of each of the mediums we will be using and how they interact with one another. With this knowledge there is a wide space to experiment, giving you the freedom to take risks with your art without fear of consequence.
A full understanding of these forgiving attributes can be incredibly liberating to your practice and allow you the ability to let go and free yourself from the paralysis often experienced by even the most seasoned of artists. I’m honored to have you on this journey with me and can’t wait to see you in class!
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course students will have an understanding of the following concepts:
- Harness inspiration from everyday life using modern technology
- Explore the basics of the color wheel and mixing color
- Discover a short cut to the best practices for using various mediums
- Experiment with out of the box application techniques
- Play with a relaxed approach to composition
- Learn a new mindset for approaching a painting
- Create a beautiful piece of art for home, office or a special gift
START TODAY - SELF STUDY
Lifetime Access - Download All Content
Cost - $59
DESCRIPTION OF LESSONS
This class will start off teaching you how to find images that will inspire your abstract artwork. I will also demonstrate how to stretch your own canvases so that you are able to create non-standard size paintings. consists of four mixed-media lessons!
Our main lessons will focus on the techniques I use when creating an abstract zen painting. We will explore alcohol inks and their unique properties. This lesson will also have a brief segment on color theory to help you as you choose colors for your paintings. Next, I will show you how to soften the palette with translucent pearl paint. We will add richness and character to the piece with watercolor crayons and colored pencil. I will discuss my favorite tools I use to add texture to the canvas with texture paste.
We will spread the first layer of color onto our canvas and I will demonstrate a pooling technique using rubbing alcohol to mix the ink and create texture with a low speed blow dryer. This is such a beautiful, and freeing process! After you have explored the previous steps, it is time to choose a light colored acrylic paint to thickly spread over the canvas. We will utilize a water pressure technique to build up large 3D mounds of paint onto the canvas.
There are several factors that create the composition of a piece of abstract art; line, texture, shape, form, color and value. For the purpose of this lesson we will be discussing the arrangement of elements on the canvas. Finally, in our last lesson, we will add any last final touches and then onto varnishing. We will also discuss the sense you should feel when a piece is finished and a camera trick that can be used to see the canvas with fresh eyes and note if any adjustments need to be made.
SELF STUDY - START TODAY
Lifetime Access - Download All Content
Cost - $59
MEET JULIE AHMAD - ARTIST/INSTRUCTOR
I attribute my life as an artist to my daughter. When I was pregnant, I often felt this strong burning desire to be creative and work with my hands. There was some kind of organic correlation between my body being in the state of creation and my heart urging my hands to do the same.
I am most drawn to the forgiving qualities of acrylic paint and the loose nature of abstract art. My work is an exploration of intuitive painting; not having the final outcome in mind from the start. The canvas leads and tells its own story. I, the artist, am merely a vehicle for the application.
There is nothing more satisfying than to observe those who view my work and experience an emotional reaction. Each person has their own take on the art and more often than not, they have given me a perspective that I hadn’t noticed before. Each time I pick up the brush, it’s an exercise in letting go of control, judgment and perfection - a practice that also serves me greatly as a mother.“
Living almost a decade in New York City, working in the fashion industry, texture and color come second nature to me, the cross over to fine art was natural. The city is where my taste and style was molded, I love bringing that cosmopolitan energy into my work and sharing it with the world.
I’ve shown with West Elm Austin, EAST & WEST Austin Studio Tour, Women & Their Work Contemporary Art Gallery and currently am licensing my work with iCanvas domestically and Artist Lane Internationally. I have been commissioned to create one-of-a-kind pieces for several collectors around the world. I can’t express enough how gratifying it is when a piece of your art (soul) is welcomed into someone’s home it’s an honor that is not taken for granted.
MORE OF JULIE'S WORK
PRIVATE GROUP JUST FOR YOU!
This course will have a private Facebook group just for you! The artist will be actively involved with the class via Facebook during the four weeks that the course is open! After that the course will be a self-study. The artist may or may not be involved after the four weeks. We are looking forward to seeing your artwork!
COURSE SUPPLIES
In each lesson I do discuss what materials will be needed for that segment, however I do understand that it maybe much easier to have a compiled list in one spot for you to review. Please make use of whatever materials you may have - not all items are mandatory.
There are some materials such as Yupo Paper which can not be substituted for another kind of paper due to its absorption level and the nature of the ink. These items will be indicated with a star *. I have also indicated in blue which items are my must have faves being brand specific that I personally like to use and links provided to indicate where to pick them up online should you choose.
Substrates
- Any preprimed canvas (I’m using Spectrum All Mediums Artist Canvas, Double Primed 10oz, medium weight 72”x 6 yards)
- Canvas medium to large (I’m working with a 24”x18”, but you choose)
- Yupo paper pad 11”x14”
- ½ sheet 9”x12” either watercolor or mixed media paper
Alcohol Inks
- Tim Holtz* brand is my favorite, select at least one color for every section of the wheel: (my suggested list, but feel free to choose your own or use what you have)
- I am using these colors:
- Other colors I like:
- Valencia
- Sunset orange
- Honeycomb
- Sunshine yellow
- Limeade
- Clover
- Laguna
- Glacier
- Amethyst
- Vineyard
- Boysenberry
Pencils/Pastels
- Pencil
- Caran d'Ache Classic Neocolor II Water-Soluble Pastels, at least the 15 colors pack
- Arteza Colored Pencils, 48 Colors, Soft, Highly-Pigmented
cup of water
Mediums
- Chromatemp Artists’ Tempera Paint, Pearlescent White
- Liquitex professional fluid medium (any brand will do)
- Goldens Light Molding Paste at least a 32oz size tub
- Golden Regular Gel Gloss Medium
Miscellaneous
- Stretcher bars (preassembled or unassembled)
- Large tacks
- Tape measure
- staple gun (electric or hand)
- staples
- small hammer
- Isopropyl alcohol 91%
- Tiny funnel
- Plastic Transfer Pipettes 3ml, Pack of 20
- 8 oz squeeze bottle
- 5 pack 50ml needle tip squeeze plastic bottle (fun to have if you would like to mix your inks, but not necessary for this project)
- Vinyl gloves
- Krylon Triple Thick Fixative
- Mini blowdryer, Eva NYC Mini Healthy Heat Dryer*
- Scissors
- Print out of The Color Wheel.pdf for reference
- Gray Scale and Value Finder
- Spatula
- Shish kabob stick
- Spray bottle w/ water
- Various Princeton Catalyst silicone tools your choice I have the wedge no.4 and the blade- 50 mm
- 4” foam paint roller
- 4” microfiber roller covers
- Paint tray liner 4” set of 12
- Chromatemp Artists’ Tempera Paint - Pearlescent White
- Water spray bottle small brush
- Medium to large abstract painting, giclee is fine
- Small precut piece of mat board
- Camera (iPhone is perfect)1.5” - 2” large flat brush
- MeySpring White Pearl Mica or any Pearl White Mica Powder
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ACCESSING CLASSES AND SELLING WORK CREATED IN THIS COURSE:
**Upon purchasing your course, you will be asked to create an account and go through the purchase process (even if the cost is $0 for a free course). If you have already created an account, after purchase your course will IMMEDIATELY be available under “LOGIN” at the top right-hand of karabullockart.com.
**If your course does not show up, please email us at karabullockart@gmail.com
**Due to the nature of the immediate availability of the course, all purchases are nonrefundable.
**Please talk to the artist of the course about his/her policy on selling artwork created in this course prior to selling any works created during course. Some artists will allow it, while others do not. Thank you for your support.
Mary Portera (verified owner) –
Julie explained everything well and II learned a lot from her class. She is very knowledgeable of the topic. I would recommend to anyone
Betty Turner (verified owner) –
Julie’s technique looks like so much fun and I can’t wait to try it! I always play the videos first to get an overview of a class and found her to be knowledgeable and detailed. Thanks, Julie, for sharing your process.