Rebel, Rebel.
This two-hour hands-on, beginner’s GOATs (Greatest of All Time) painting workshop explores the raw, expressive energy of Jean-Michel Basquiat, focusing on how he blended street art, text, and abstract figuration into a powerful signature style.
Participants will learn the core elements of Basquiat’s practice: symbolic mark-making, text integration (using words as visual elements), and compositional layering to create a sense of frantic complexity and visual depth. We'll utilize mixed media—acrylics, oil stick, and pastels—to build up rich, raw surfaces and practice his signature motif of the three-pointed crown and the expressive, stripped-down human face. Students will leave the class with a dynamic, layered artwork that captures Basquiat's rebellious spirit and intellectual energy. Example compositions will be provided to guide the process and stoke the imagination.
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In the canon of art history, Basquiat stands out because—at the young age 20—he injected the raw, visceral energy of urban street culture and graffiti directly into the fine art world, bridging the gap between high art and outsider expression. Basquiat’s work remains pivotal as it used potent, symbolic imagery, text, and fractured figures to confront systemic issues of racism, history, and class structure with urgent intellectual complexity.
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Guided group demonstration
Personalized instruction
Premium 12 x 16 gallery wrap canvas
Workshop guide
Shared class supplies (brushes, paints, etc.)
Fresh, frameable art compositions
Deeper understanding of art history
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AGES | All ages welcome but 13+ is recommended to benefit the most from instruction.
PREREQUISITE | None. No prior artistic skill required, either.
ARRIVAL | Please allow an extra 15-30 minutes for mingling to ensure you are settled when instruction begins.
ATTIRE | Heavy-duty canvas aprons are provided for class, but because accidents happen sometimes, we do recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting a tad messy.
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TO BOOK | Click here to book a painting event at the location of your choice. Once your booking is confirmed, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your event.
RESCHEDULING + CANCELLATION POLICY |72-hour notice is required for a 75% refund of prepaid class bookings; bookings may be transferred to a future class before the 72-hour notice timeframe by contacting events@painterly.co. If cancellation or a request to rebook occurs after 72- hours before the start of class, no refund will be provided regardless of reason (note: this policy enables Painterly to protect our artist instructors, who are directly impacted by last-minute cancellations).
