Abstraction, Finding Your Way, Finding Your Balance | Lori Sokoluk

Instructor: Lori Sokoluk (View Bio)

Registration Deadline: August 15, 2023

Level: Intermediate

Portfolio Review Required: No

Class Limit: 10

This five-day intensive workshop will increase your confidence and comfort painting abstractly, whether

‘abstraction’ to you means working loosely, expressing ideas or emotions, or leaving reference behind

and focusing solely on the elements of painting.

I believe that painting abstractly is like writing poetry instead of prose. We have the same tools and

elements as painting representationally, but we use a somewhat different part of the brain and heart

to create and respond to the work. We’ll tackle how to begin, develop and finish abstract artwork. We’ll

explore using photo transfer and collage to introduce specificity to balance abstract elements in a

painting. We’ll explore creative process and share lots of tips and techniques.

We’ll begin with exercises designed to develop a range of approaches to abstraction. Each morning

we’ll start with a group check in and reflection, then we’ll dive in to working on pieces of your choice

with lots of opportunity for direction and discussion. Expect laughter and a happy dance or two as you

find a joyful creative process and develop confidence in your abstract work and your abstract eye.

I recommend working with acrylics for this session. If you prefer to use oils or watercolor, please

contact me. Much of what we’ll cover is absolutely applicable regardless of medium, but some specific

techniques may not transfer across media.

You’ll come away from our time together:

 understanding the range of abstraction and where you want to be along that continuum

 comfortable abstracting from a representational reference or working without external reference

 knowing multiple ways to feel guided as you start, develop and finish abstract work

You’’ll have additional techniques at your disposal, including:

 use of transparency and opacity to add depth and interest

 use of a limited palette to create harmony

 integrating representational elements through photo transfer and collage

 introducing drawing and other mark-making, collage and texture into your paintings