Let it flow.
OVERVIEW
This two-hour beginner’s workshop provides a liberating immersion into the technique of Helen Frankenthaler, the master of the Abstract Expressionist color field.
In this class, we’ll focus on Frankenthaler’s pioneering "Soak Stain" technique, learning how to dilute acrylic paints to the consistency of watercolor and applying them directly onto an unprimed (raw) canvas. The goal is to eliminate the hand of the artist, allowing the pigment to flow, bleed, and stain the canvas fibers, creating luminous, soft, and flowing fields of color. Participants will explore color mixing and compositional balance using layering and negative space, resulting in a unique, atmospheric abstract artwork defined by transparent washes and lyrical color interactions.
Painterly Original works will be provided to fuel the creative process and stoke the imagination. No experience or artistic skill required!
PRICING
All classes are $100 per canvas with a ten (10) student class minimum.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to counteract the age of disposable experiences by teaching genuine creative skills. Painterly’s framework promotes the creation of keepsake artwork that carries lasting personal value, rather than becoming clutter. In a world where art is often mass-produced or prohibitively expensive, we offer an affordable and intentional pathway for our students to create their own meaningful, display-worthy creations rooted in solid artistic foundations.
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Although she may not be a household name, in the canon of art history, Frankenthaler stands out through her invention of the "Soak Stain" technique, radically moving Abstract Expressionism beyond the male-dominated traditions of impasto and aggressive brushwork. Frankenthaler’s luminous, flowing canvases—where thinned paint literally stained the raw canvas fibers—pioneered the Color Field movement and proved that vast scale and emotional depth could be achieved through lyrical softness and transparency.
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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).
