Carole Massey will take you on an acrylic adventure! This course is designed to include a variety of techniques for using this, the most versatile of painting mediums.

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On Saturday morning we will do a variety of exercises using acrylics like watercolours, brushed straight from the tube and used with a palette knife. There will be the opportunity to experiment with gels and mediums as well as also using collage. We will explore the possibilities of using gels and mediums designed to add texture or change the finish of the paint, and also look at glazing, palette knife technique, as well as how to stretch a canvas.

Later on Saturday afternoon and during Sunday, you will be able to concentrate on a subject of your choice, or copy one of Carole’s examples displayed.
After supper on Saturday evening Carole will give a demonstration supper and on Sunday you can start a new painting or continue with the work from Saturday.

There will be both individual and group tuition throughout the course.

About the Tutor

Carole Massey is a popular and supportive tutor who has been teaching at Flatford Mill for over 20 years. She managed her own successful design partnership before returning to her first love of painting, which currently involves tutoring, demonstrations, private commissions, and exhibitions.
A recent portrait commission for the Bank of England of Sir Charles Bean, deputy governor now hangs in the bank in perpetuity.

She is a regular contributor to The Leisure Painter magazine, has written many teaching Art books, published by Search Press, with international sales exceeding 250,000. Her latest books are Drawing for the Absolute Beginner and The Beginners’ Guide to Drawing Portraits which will be on sale on the course.  She has exhibited and demonstrated at the Mall Galleries, London, and her work is in a number of private collections in the UK and abroad. She lives in Suffolk.

Her email address is:   [email protected] 

About Flatford Mill

We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is un-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible. Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

carol massey artwork

Example Timetable

Arrival Day 

Check-in is between 1400-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.

You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.

What's Included

  • Expert Tuition
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Full Board Accommodation
  • Hot and Cold Drinks
  • Picnic Lunch

Before You Attend

What to Bring

Paints  
If you have used acrylics before, bring what you have and are used to. If you plan to restock, you may like to consider the range of colours listed below.
Colours:
Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue
Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna
Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue or Indanthrene Blue or Process Cyan
Cadmium Red Hue, Permanent Rose or Alizarin Crimson
Dioxazine Purple, Titanium White, Optional - Mixing White (Zinc White)
Plus: Glazing medium is useful for transparent glazes
Optional: Metallic and interference acrylics for experimentation if you have them

Brushes  
Please bring at least six synthetic and/or bristle brushes so you have small, medium and large (size range 2-12) in a variety of shapes, e.g. round, filbert, flat, rigger etc. Makes such as Graduate, Pro-Art, or my favourite, Rosemary&Co - their Shiraz, (synthetic) or Chungking bristle brushes www.rosemaryandco.co.uk

Paper/Board 
A4 cartridge pad or sketchbook for sketching out rough ideas
An A3 (30 x 42cm) Galleria Acrylic pad, or other brands of acrylic paper or board
OR Bockingford NOT or semi-rough watercolour paper, 140lb. 300gsm

Palette
A ‘stay wet’ palette, specifically designed for acrylics is very useful to prevent paint drying out. If you would like to make your own wet palette system, please bring a metal or plastic tray, at least 11” x 7”, kitchen roll, several sheets of greaseproof cut to fit, and some cling film.

Other materials 
2B pencil, an eraser, masking tape, kitchen roll
A painting knife or knives
An old shirt or apron to protect your clothes and a small water spray bottle or mister.
For Collage (optional) PVA glue and a range of coloured, printed, textured paper or tissue paper.

About Flatford Mill 
We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some
rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is unsuitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

Opportunities to attend this course

This course is not currently available to book. Dates will follow soon.

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