Introduction to Painting A with Milena Spasic
Class | FULL
Introduction to Painting A is the first of a sequence of three Introduction to Painting classes. It is designed to develop the student’s painting skills through an understanding of basic design concepts and principles of visual art. By emphasizing perceptual awareness and emphasizing hand-eye coordination skills, students will explore the process of painting and how it relates to personal creativity and expression. In addition, this course will offer students an understanding of color and will implement a color-mixing method unique to the Washington Studio School. Students will also be exposed to art references, both historical and contemporary, as they will further one’s understanding of painting.
What you can expect:
Gain knowledge and understanding of using oil paint.
Work from observation (still life).
Gain knowledge of ala prima painting.
Create several paintings with compositions that demonstrate the elements of design and color.
Who is this class for: This class is for those new to painting or those who are looking to refresh their fundamental skills in seeing and painting before moving to the next level. IT IS STRONGLY recommended that students have some drawing experience before taking a painting class.
SUPPLY LIST: Intro to Painting - Instructor: Milena Spasic
Please no student grade paint. Look for tubes with “artist’s grade “ on the label.
Recommended palette:
small tubes of: yellow ochre, hansa yellow light, cadmium yellow medium (optional),
burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, naphthol red, raw umber, ultramarine blue or phthalo blue (ok to substitute with), viridian green,
Large tube of titanium white
Matte Acrylic Medium- acrylic painters only- large 5 oz tube
Gamsol- 1pint container- oil painters only
A wide-mouth glass jar with lid or silicoil jar (for oil painters only; Plastic jars ok for acrylic)
Metal palette knife, trowel-shaped that comes to a point- no rounded tips please.
Flat palette no smaller than 16”x 20” (glass, plastic or disposable - no thumb hole)
Brushes: sizes #2, #6, #8, #10 and #12. 
shapes- bright and/or flat only; purchase brushes with long handles only.
stiff bristles for oil painters; synthetic brushes with good spring for acrylic.
16”x 20” pad of primed canvas or canvas paper pad (to be used for exercises and color studies)
Multiple surfaces (no smaller than 12”x16). These can be stretched canvas, canvas boards, or canvas paper. - You can start off with just the canvas pad and use the other surfaces weeks 3- 10
Paper towels, and disposable gloves.
Stand/Linseed oil- smallest bottle- oil painters only (wait to purchase)
* If you are not sure if you want to work with oil paint or acrylic, I strongly recommend
starting with oils. Working with acrylic requires constant management of the paint to
prevent it from drying on the palette, which to a beginning student is often a daunting and
distracting task.