Acrylic paint is forgiving, flexible and a great place to start, but getting comfortable with the basics makes everything easier.

This playful but thorough beginner workshop introduces you to the fundamentals of acrylic painting from the ground up. You’ll learn how different materials behave, get comfortable handling paint and brushes, explore value and colour mixing, then put everything together by creating a finished nature-inspired painting from a photographic reference.

Workshop Schedule (3 Hours)

Part 1: Materials, Brushes & Paint Handling

• Breaking down the basic materials used in acrylic painting and what each one actually does.
• Getting comfortable with small round, medium filbert and large bright brushes.
• Practising basic brush techniques and learning how acrylic paint behaves on the surface.

Part 2: Value, Colour & Mixing

• Building a simple value scale to understand light, dark and contrast.
• Exploring basic colour theory without getting buried in technical jargon.
• Mixing colours and learning how to adjust hue, value and intensity while you paint.

Part 3: Put It Into Paint

• Working from a nature-inspired photographic reference.
• Planning the image and applying the techniques covered earlier in the workshop.
• Completing your own 8 × 10 acrylic painting to take home.

By The End Of This Workshop, You Will

• Understand the basic materials used in acrylic painting and how to use them.
• Handle common brushes with more confidence and control.
• Use value to create stronger light, shadow and contrast.
• Understand basic colour theory and mix your own colours.
• Work from a photographic reference to build a complete image.
• Finish an original acrylic painting on an 8 × 10 stretched canvas.

What We Provide

• Painting Surfaces: Canvas paper for exercises and one 8 × 10 stretched canvas for your finished painting.
• Paint: Student-grade acrylic paints shared among the class.
• Brushes: A selection of acrylic painting brushes, including additional brushes supplied by the instructor.
• Studio Supplies: Palette paper, water cups and paper towel.

What To Bring & Requirements

• What To Bring: Nothing. All required painting materials are provided.
• Skill Level: Absolute beginner. No previous painting experience required.

Event Details

• Date: Sept, 25th 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM–9:30 PM
• Format: 1 single session (3 hours)
• Location: Urban Art Collective Art Hub, 50 Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa
• Instructor: Kina Forney
• Level & Audience: Absolute beginners and anyone looking to build a solid foundation in acrylic painting.
• Maximum Capacity: 12
• Minimum Enrolment: 6 Required