Art of the Moment: Contemporary Painting

Join renowned artist Martha Johnson for a nine-week virtual exploration focused on elevating your painterly approach. This is an intensive opportunity to scrutinize the foundational concepts and experimental techniques driving today’s most compelling artwork. We will shift the focus from representation to expression, thoroughly examining how materiality, scale, and surface interact to convey powerful meaning. Through targeted demonstrations and dynamic, project-based learning, you will learn to analyze the relationship between gestural brushwork and dynamic compositions. Martha will guide you in developing a confident workflow, moving from initial concept sketching to final execution, equipping you with a critical framework that allows you to confidently explore and define your place within the expansive, exciting dialogue of contemporary painting.

Define and apply contemporary painting styles and expressive mark-making techniques.

Cultivate skills in creating compelling compositions for contemporary artwork.

Explore the creative process from inception to completion within a contemporary context.

Develop a strong conceptual and technical foundation for individual painting practices.

Construct paintings that reflect a unique artistic voice and personal expression.

This course is designed for those with some painting experience who are ready to embrace the principles of contemporary art and deepen their creative practice.

Open to all painterly media*. Colours should include: Ultramarine blue, Alizarin Crimson, Hansa Yellow, Yellow ochre, Titanium White, Mars or Lamp Black
8-ounce white Gesso
Small Matte medium
Paint markers
Pastels
One canvas (no smaller than 14”x18”)
Charcoal Pencils (medium) and Willow stick for drawing
Sketchbook (no smaller than 12 x14″)
five acrylic bristle brushes including one 1” Bright style brush, two medium sized brushes, one small and one Rigor style brush for detail
Printed landscape photocopy, one black and white, one colour, each 11” x 17”, if possible
A few sheets of Bond printer paper
Scissors
Masking tape
A couple of coloured pencils
Ruler or straight edge
Rags
Nitrile gloves
Water container
Students should have their work on an easel or in a stable vertical position during session time for visibility.
Over the weeks together other varied contemporary materials may be suggested.

*Martha’s practice is as a sculptor, drawer, acrylic painter, mixed media artist. You are welcome to work in oil in this virtual session, however Martha is not primarily an oil painter.