VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
New Approaches to Image-Making Through Painting, Printmaking, and Collage with Karen Lederer

This class expands on the traditional methods of collage and explores new ways to visually express ideas. Using mixed-media—paper, photos and photo transfers, found materials, and fabrics—and an introduction to press-free printmaking techniques including stencils, pochoir, and basic transfer processes, we investigate ways to build up imagery and textures that elevate mixed-media materials. Students experiment with new techniques demonstrated daily in class and explore forms of expression that may challenge their previous working methods and expectations. Students work on quick studies as well as multi-day, deliberate projects that produce a personal visual vocabulary and strive toward more advanced, completed work.

This workshop, open to students of all levels, explores the connectedness between nature, the elements, and people through acrylic painting and mixed media art making. Using fluid and heavy body acrylics, participants incorporate the fundamentals of composition, color theory, energy lines, and mark making. Using mixed media applications, students explore creating layers, surface texture, and developing meaningful subject matter in their work. Abstraction and representationalism are both investigated and merged into imagery to evoke dynamic and complex paintings.

This workshop introduces students to expressive painting techniques, using abstraction as a foundation for collage. Emphasizing spontaneity, students will learn to relinquish preconceptions about paint application, allowing the medium to guide the creative process and reveal unexpected surfaces and textures. Once their abstract paintings are complete, students will explore various collage techniques, incorporating personal photographs, found materials, prints, drawings, and other adherable elements. The abstract paintings will serve as the foundation, influencing the composition and direction of the collages. Techniques covered in this workshop include polymer transfers, water-based paint applications, proper adhesion methods, contact paper transfers, the integration of joint compound, and strategies for composing and constructing layered images. SPECIAL OFFER: Consider also attending Holly's From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Experimental Collage workshop the week after this one and save 20% off that second tuition. (This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or scholarships.)