Creative Flow Workshop: Mixed Media Abstract Portrait Summer 2025

Creative Flow workshop: Acrylic & Mixed Media Funky Abstract Expressive Portrait, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 
Date: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 2025, 10:00am -4:00pm
Course length: Weekend 
Price: £150
Tutor: Penelope Rose Cowley 
Level: All Welcome 

Getting into the 'Creative Flow' 
Immerse yourself in the process of creating a unique portrait that captures mood, expression, and atmosphere. This two-day workshop blends technical exploration with artistic freedom, allowing you to work from references, memory, and imagination while experimenting with a variety of materials. 
Guided by examples of contemporary mixed-media artists like Zabe (French-born, based in Los Angeles) and Ella Buchanan (Worcester, England), you’ll learn to build layers, textures, and com-positions that exude vibrancy and character. 
Workshop Highlights: 
•    Learn to create textured "grounds" for your artwork using collage and acrylic mediums. 
•    Master techniques such as block-and-blend, wet-in-wet, impasto, and splattering for dynamic effects. 
•    Explore composition and limited color palettes, focusing on vibrant or moody hues to con-vey emotion. 

Workshop Structure 
Day 1: Saturday 
Morning: 
•    Welcome & Introduction: Overview of the workshop and its objectives. 
•    Demonstrations: Develop your textured “ground” using collage materials and acrylic mediums to create depth and interest. 
Basics of Portrait Composition: Focus on transitional tone lines and how to structure a portrait. 

•    Color Mixing & Palette Selection: Learn techniques for creating a cohesive limited color palette that conveys mood and personality. 

Afternoon: 
•    Planning Your Composition: Transfer your chosen portrait reference using tracing paper or carbon transfer paper. 
•    Underpainting & Base Layers: Begin building your painting by sketching and under-painting the portrait on your textured ground. 
•    Experiment with block-and-blend techniques, transitional tone lines, and the first layers of color. 
•    Feedback & Guidance: Receive one-on-one support as you work on your initial layers. 

Day 2: Sunday 
Morning: 
•    Layering Techniques: Dive deeper into glazing, impasto, and collage layering to add com-plexity to your portrait. 
•    Tools & Techniques: Experiment with palette knives, brushes, and unconventional tools to create dynamic effects. 
•    Refining Your Portrait: Focus on developing mood and atmosphere by layering colors and textures. 

Afternoon: 
•    Finalizing Your Portrait: Build up the last layers of your composition, emphasizing de-tails, expression, and tonal contrasts. 
•    Polishing & Finishing Touches: Add highlights, refine edges, and complete your unique portrait. 
•    Group Sharing & Feedback: Share your work with the group, discuss techniques, and celebrate your creative journey. 
•    

What do students need to bring with them?

•    HB pencil and rubber 
•    Sketch paper or book (A4 or A3, 130gsm–170gsm) 
•    Primed medium-sized canvas board or stretched canvas (e.g., 14" x 18" or larger) 
•    Brushes (small, medium, large; round and flat; bristle and syn-thetic for acrylics) 
•    Palette knives (optional, some will be available to borrow) 
•    2 jars for water 
•    Wet palette tray (e.g., shallow Tupperware container with kitchen roll and greaseproof paper) 
•    Acrylic paints (recommended colors include Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine, Ma-genta, Viridian Green, etc.) 
•    Collage materials such as tissue paper, string, newspaper, scrap paper, and recycled packaging (some will be provided).