Class Description

A working knowledge of how to mix colors is fundamental to painting. This class is great for beginners, but is very useful for painters that have found color mixing frustrating. Tracy designed this class specifically to help acrylic painting students understand pigments…making painting more satisfying and successful. You will come away absolutely loving color.

Other skills we will practice are how to read pigment ”recipes” on the paint tubes, blending with gel and using a palette knife. You will have a hand painted color wheel to proudly display in your own studio and will apply your new found knowledge to an actual painting on week three!

Week One: We will create a split primary color wheel.

Week Two: Chart colors to learn mass tone, tinting strengths and mixing techniques using complementary color combinations.

Week Three: Follow Tracy step-by-step to analyze and match colors, learn the magic of "Complementary" colors and create a gorgeous floral still life while learning.

Instructor Bio

A traditionally trained artist, Tracy Felix has a deep knowledge of multiple medias and techniques. She has applied both her commercial and fine art experience as a painter, designer, gallery owner, juror, and instructor to a 40 year career in the arts. Teaching experience includes Drawing, Contemporary Acrylic and Mixed Media, Encaustic, and Color Theory. She is a co-owner of ARTspot Edmonds and an active supporter of the arts in Edmonds.

You can find her every first Saturday at ARTspot heading up Edmonds Sketchers, a free activity for artists in the community that get together to sketch.

Find more of Tracy’s work on her website tracykayfelix.com, Instagram @tracykayfelixart or Facebook

Supply List

You can purchase your quality art supplies at ARTspot! Registered students receive a 10% discount on all their art supplies from the time of paid registration until the last day of class. All items on this list are carried by ARTspot.

Questions about these supplies? ARTspot staff are happy to help you. Call 425-640-6408 or email at ARTspotEdmonds@gmail.com.

Paint: Eight Colors

For this class Tracy is specific in using Golden Acrylic Paints. No student grade or economy paints are to be used. You cannot learn about pigments with colors that contain fillers. This class uses a split primary color system, so these colors are specific for a successful experience. (Allowed substitute colors are listed in parenthesis)

• Titanium White

• Benzimidazolone Yellow Light (can substitute Cadmium Yellow Light, Azo or Lemon Yellow)

• Benzimidazolone Yellow Medium (or Cadmium Yellow Medium)

• Napthol Red Light (or Cadmium Red Light)

• Quidacridone Magenta (you can use the more historic Alizarin Crimson but your violets will be more "brownish" with this choice)

• Phthalo Blue - Green Shade (or Red Shade if you already have it)

• Ultramarine Blue (or Anthraquinone Blue)

• Yellow Ochre (or Raw Sienna)

• Optional Color: Phthalo Green (Blue Shade or Yellow Shade) not required for class, but will extend your range of mixed green shades

PLUS one tube or container of Acrylic Gel Gloss (not matte or satin)

Note on paint colors: You can also take this class using water soluble oil paints, but still need to meet color requirements listed.

Book:

• Exploring Color: How to Use and Control Color in Your Painting by Nita Leland ISBN-13 978-0891348467 (1998 version)

• -or- Exploring Color Workshop, 30th Anniversary Edition: With New Exercises, Lessons and Demonstrations (2016) is my second choice

Palette:

Bring airtight container to store your paints. This will keep your acrylic paints from drying out. You can purchase a sealing palette for acrylics. Tracy loves, recommends, and keeps in stock at ARTspot the Mijello Airtight Peel-Off Palette. It saves your paints from one painting session to the next and the lid is super easy to get off and on. OR you can use a rectangular Tupperware-type container with lid (should be large enough to accommodate a paper plate).

Brushes and Canvas:

Acrylic Taklon Brushes, one or two of these type brushes: #8, 10 or 12 flats or filberts (about 1/2" across) will work well for blending your color wheel. Connoisseur Synthetic Mongoose or Princeton Snap will work fine for this class. Ask for it at ARTspot!

11x14 stretched canvas or canvas panel

Other:

• Small misting type spray water bottle to keep paints moist on your palette (a used hair product bottle can work well, but we do have these for sale at ARTspot)

• Fine or "superfine" black Sharpie

• Apron or old shirt

• Tight fitting latex-type gloves - not required but bring if you don’t like getting paint on your hands

OPTION FOR THE CLASS

$50 supply fee paid to Tracy first class. Cash or checks payable to Tracy Felix. You must still bring your own palette/airtight lidded container and 11x14 canvas surface. Bring your own brushes if you have them.