Acrylic Painting | Birds and Animal Portraits with Mellissa Read-Devine

Course Overview

Join Mellissa for a day of painting feathered or furry friends — a line-up of characters infused with life, humour and personality.

Learn composition skills in a contemporary and impressionistic style + colour mixing, simplification of shapes, observation of the subject and how to choose the best photos and drawings needed for your finished painting.

Images: Galahs by Mellissa Read-Devine

Is this course right for me?

This class is suitable for all levels of experience.

Materials

Please bring the following:

• Reference photographs that you might like to paint. Various pictures of the type of bird or animal you want pictured.
• Several small canvasses (8” x10” or 12”x12”) for a series or a larger piece eg, 20” x 24” or bigger.
• Your acrylic paints. Bring what you have, please use good ‘artist’ quality paints. Inferior paints do not produce good results. We recommend Matisse Derivan or Atelier brand paints.
• Drying retarder (optional).
• Your brushes. A selection of large and small brushes. You will need a small pointed brush for details.
• A palette knife for mixing paint.
• Your painting palette – a large flat surface is best.
• Large container for water.
• Rags or paper towel.

Mellissa's preferred colour palette:

• White
• Naples Yellow
• 2 different yellows (warm and a cool)
• Cadmium red or equivalent
• 1 of the following: Alizarin, Magenta, Red Violet or Rose Madder
• 1 of the following: Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Teal/aqua, Cobalt Blue
• Ultramarine or Pthalo Blue
• 2 of your favourite complementary colours – purple/orange/bright green
• Water spray

About studio classes

Our class sizes are small, ensuring you receive the individual tuition you need. We have a maximum of 12 students per class.

Unless otherwise noted, prices *exclude* art materials. Click here to see a list of local art supply retailers.

To learn about our studios, amenites and how to get there, click here.

Save on your art class

Art Est accepts Creative Kids vouchers and memberships to help you save on your art class, along with regular discounts for current students. To find out what you are eligible for and how to book with these, visit our special offers and discounts page:

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