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Spring Flower Painting
SOLD OUT
$525
USD
May 10th - 12th
DATES
3 days
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
TIME
Kathleen Speranza
INSTRUCTOR
Open to all levels/ages, previous painting experience recommended
LEVELS/AGES
Flowers that bloom in the Spring are some of the most beautiful of all botanical life. Their intricate forms and exquisite colors have inspired painters throughout the history of art. In this three-day workshop we will immerse ourselves in their transient lives.
Students will study the basic architecture of their forms and discover a unique limited palette for each type. Using both direct and indirect painting techniques we will work from life to translate their fleeting presence. Kathleen teaches a unique approach to color that will revolutionize students' understanding of painting. Flowers are a challenging subject and previous painting experience is recommended.
DAY 1
Morning: Overview and brief discussion of Kathleen's ideas and methods. Explanation of all materials and their uses. Kathleen will demonstrate the correct use of lighting and positioning in setting up our “models”.
Afternoon: Kathleen will create a monochrome underpainting from the morning set up. Students will then set up their own flowers and complete a monochrome underpainting.
Evening: Private dinner at the museum for workshop students, with instructor Kathleen Speranza and the NSMA team.
DAY 2
Morning: Deep dive into the string palette and the concept of neutral. Kathleen will demonstrate the mixing of a 2-9 neutral value scale. Students will then mix a neutral scale (each student will be provided with a grey scale for comparison).
Afternoon: Explanation and demonstration of specific string palette for each flower. Use of “color checker” and first pass of color over the monochrome painting. Students will also create a specific palette and complete the first layer of color. Liquin will be utilized for faster drying.
DAY 3
Morning: Using the color checker, students will push the color and form in their paintings as far as they can.
Afternoon: Kathleen will demonstrate the “oiling out” process and complete a third layer over a dry painting from her studio.
$525
USD
SURFACE
2 Ampersand Gesso Boards 9”x 12”. You can use another size or smooth surface if you wish but keep it to 11” x 14” or smaller
PALETTE
Masterson Palette Seal Box
12” x 16” glass palette with neutral grey background - New Wave supplies this
OTHER SUPPLIES
Two medium sized trowel design Palette Knives. I use Holbein MX2. Expensive but worth it!
Small cup for medium
Brush washer with lid and Gamsol
Single edge razor blades
Paper Towels and Rags
PAINT
Small tubes of oil paint, range of colors. The only brand that is specific is Winsor Newton Bright Red. I use a combination of Winsor Newton and Michael Harding and Old Holland paint. Most other brands will be fine too. This list is extensive but and you may not need every color. Kathleen will have a full set of pigments and she is happy to share if you are unable to bring them all.
Titanium White, Ivory Black, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Lemon, Cadmium Orange, Terra Rosa, Napthol Red, Winsor Newton Bright Red, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Quinacridone Gold Brown, Green Gold, Viridian Green, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, Quinacridone Rose.
BRUSHES
Kathleen recommend synthetic bristle brushes for the class. Hogs hair will not work for the delicate layers we will be making. Please feel free to bring any brushes you like to use. It is not necessary to bring every brush on the list that I use but you may want to try them.
Fan brushes 2, 4 and 6. Princeton Select is a good brand but any synthetic will do
Filbert Grainers 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4. Princeton Select or Velvetouch
Pointed Rounds 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 12. I use Michael Klein by Rosemary.
Flat wash brush 1” synthetic bristle, any brand
Princeton 2” Gesso brush. This is the only hog bristle on the list
Below is a list of recommended hotels in Amherst for residence during NSMA workshops. AirBnbs are also available closer to the museum in towns such as Shutesbury, Leverett, Orange, Athol, and Wendell, and can be cheaper alternatives to hotels. For both hotels and AirBnBs, we recommend booking far in advance for better prices and to secure your spot. For more guidance on housing options, contact info@newsalemmuseum.com
Spring Flower Painting
$525
USD
SOLD OUT
$525
USD
Kathleen Speranza earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University School of Art. She has had an academic career of more than thirty years teaching painting and drawing at the college level. She was on the Faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design for several years. Ms. Speranza now leads painting workshops both nationally and Internationally.
Her paintings have always explored the visual language of space, light, color and form as it relates to specific subjects from nature. The most recent paintings are an ongoing investigation of the poetic potential of botanical life. The body of work relating to Garden Roses with their extreme subtlety of color and structure are perhaps her best known images.
Kathleen has exhibited work in group and solo shows throughout the US and U.K. Her work can be found in numerous private and public collections. Her most recent solo show,“Vanitas Vita” took place at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Ogunquit Maine in 2020. Her work can also be seen on Facebook and Instagram. The artist lives and works in Pawlet Vermont with her husband Parker Heath.
SURFACE
2 Ampersand Gesso Boards 9”x 12”. You can use another size or smooth surface if you wish but keep it to 11” x 14” or smaller
PALETTE
Masterson Palette Seal Box
12” x 16” glass palette with neutral grey background - New Wave supplies this
OTHER SUPPLIES
Two medium sized trowel design Palette Knives. I use Holbein MX2. Expensive but worth it!
Small cup for medium
Brush washer with lid and Gamsol
Single edge razor blades
Paper Towels and Rags
PAINT
Small tubes of oil paint, range of colors. The only brand that is specific is Winsor Newton Bright Red. I use a combination of Winsor Newton and Michael Harding and Old Holland paint. Most other brands will be fine too. This list is extensive but and you may not need every color. Kathleen will have a full set of pigments and she is happy to share if you are unable to bring them all.
Titanium White, Ivory Black, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Lemon, Cadmium Orange, Terra Rosa, Napthol Red, Winsor Newton Bright Red, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Quinacridone Gold Brown, Green Gold, Viridian Green, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, Quinacridone Rose.
BRUSHES
Kathleen recommend synthetic bristle brushes for the class. Hogs hair will not work for the delicate layers we will be making. Please feel free to bring any brushes you like to use. It is not necessary to bring every brush on the list that I use but you may want to try them.
Fan brushes 2, 4 and 6. Princeton Select is a good brand but any synthetic will do
Filbert Grainers 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4. Princeton Select or Velvetouch
Pointed Rounds 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 12. I use Michael Klein by Rosemary.
Flat wash brush 1” synthetic bristle, any brand
Princeton 2” Gesso brush. This is the only hog bristle on the list
Below is a list of recommended hotels in Amherst for residence during NSMA workshops. AirBnbs are also available closer to the museum in towns such as Shutesbury, Leverett, Orange, Athol, and Wendell, and can be cheaper alternatives to hotels. For both hotels and AirBnBs, we recommend booking far in advance for better prices and to secure your spot. For more guidance on housing options, contact info@newsalemmuseum.com
Meet your Instructor
Kathleen Speranza
Kathleen Speranza earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University School of Art. She has had an academic career of more than thirty years teaching painting and drawing at the college level. She was on the Faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design for several years. Ms. Speranza now leads painting workshops both nationally and Internationally.
Her paintings have always explored the visual language of space, light, color and form as it relates to specific subjects from nature. The most recent paintings are an ongoing investigation of the poetic potential of botanical life. The body of work relating to Garden Roses with their extreme subtlety of color and structure are perhaps her best known images.
Kathleen has exhibited work in group and solo shows throughout the US and U.K. Her work can be found in numerous private and public collections. Her most recent solo show,“Vanitas Vita” took place at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Ogunquit Maine in 2020. Her work can also be seen on Facebook and Instagram. The artist lives and works in Pawlet Vermont with her husband Parker Heath.
Flowers that bloom in the Spring are some of the most beautiful of all botanical life. Their intricate forms and exquisite colors have inspired painters throughout the history of art. In this three-day workshop we will immerse ourselves in their transient lives.
Students will study the basic architecture of their forms and discover a unique limited palette for each type. Using both direct and indirect painting techniques we will work from life to translate their fleeting presence. Kathleen teaches a unique approach to color that will revolutionize students' understanding of painting. Flowers are a challenging subject and previous painting experience is recommended.
DAY 1
Morning: Overview and brief discussion of Kathleen's ideas and methods. Explanation of all materials and their uses. Kathleen will demonstrate the correct use of lighting and positioning in setting up our “models”.
Afternoon: Kathleen will create a monochrome underpainting from the morning set up. Students will then set up their own flowers and complete a monochrome underpainting.
Evening: Private dinner at the museum for workshop students, with instructor Kathleen Speranza and the NSMA team.
DAY 2
Morning: Deep dive into the string palette and the concept of neutral. Kathleen will demonstrate the mixing of a 2-9 neutral value scale. Students will then mix a neutral scale (each student will be provided with a grey scale for comparison).
Afternoon: Explanation and demonstration of specific string palette for each flower. Use of “color checker” and first pass of color over the monochrome painting. Students will also create a specific palette and complete the first layer of color. Liquin will be utilized for faster drying.
DAY 3
Morning: Using the color checker, students will push the color and form in their paintings as far as they can.
Afternoon: Kathleen will demonstrate the “oiling out” process and complete a third layer over a dry painting from her studio.
Kathleen Speranza earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University School of Art. She has had an academic career of more than thirty years teaching painting and drawing at the college level. She was on the Faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design for several years. Ms. Speranza now leads painting workshops both nationally and Internationally.
Her paintings have always explored the visual language of space, light, color and form as it relates to specific subjects from nature. The most recent paintings are an ongoing investigation of the poetic potential of botanical life. The body of work relating to Garden Roses with their extreme subtlety of color and structure are perhaps her best known images.
Kathleen has exhibited work in group and solo shows throughout the US and U.K. Her work can be found in numerous private and public collections. Her most recent solo show,“Vanitas Vita” took place at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Ogunquit Maine in 2020. Her work can also be seen on Facebook and Instagram. The artist lives and works in Pawlet Vermont with her husband Parker Heath.