Discover the Best Acrylic Painting Classes in Los Angeles
Acrylic painting is a popular painting process among artists of all skill levels. Acrylic paints, which are a combination of pigment and acrylic polymer emulsion, are used in this process. The use of acrylic paint as a medium used by artists is relatively new, dating back to the 20th century. Acrylic paint was developed in the 1930s after a German chemical company invented acrylic resin. It became a popular form of house paint because it was less toxic than other paints being used at the time, and it was cheaper.
The popularity of acrylic paint transferred to artists in the 1960s when they realized that these paints held onto color well. Acrylics can be used to mimic other mediums, like watercolor and oil paint. When diluted with water they achieve a similar consistency to watercolor, and when thickened with other mediums they become similar to oil paints. Acrylics are often recommended for beginners because they’re low-cost and easy to use and clean.
Why You Should Learn Acrylic Painting in Los Angeles
Acrylic painting is easy for beginners to pick up thanks to its versatility and accessibility. Basic acrylic paint is less expensive than other mediums and can be used on easily sourced materials like paper and cardboard. Once you understand the basics of acrylic painting, you can branch out to other surfaces like canvas, glass, and sculptures. Learning how to use acrylic on different surfaces lets you utilize acrylic painting to enhance your existing crafts. For example, if you sew and use fabric to make new garments, you can then use acrylic paint to decorate those garments.
Acrylic painting enhances your problem-solving skills as you work to come up with solutions for mistakes and roadblocks. It also requires you to focus your attention on one thing, which promotes attention to detail and allows you to explore the bounds of your creativity. On top of that, painting as a therapeutic hobby has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety levels. In terms of physical benefits, painting requires you to make frequent and precise movements using your hands and wrists. This can strengthen the muscles in those areas and improve your fine motor skills.
Acrylic painting is an activity you can enjoy alone or with others. There are many acrylic painting classes focused on socializing, whether it’s with your group of friends or others in the class who are interested in acrylic painting. If you’re looking to make new friends in the Los Angeles area, consider taking an acrylic painting class that promotes socialization and creativity.
In-Person Acrylic Painting Classes in Los Angeles
In-person acrylic painting classes are offered near the Los Angeles area. These classes are taught by experienced instructors who can provide you with individualized feedback and answer your questions as you work through the class.
Ako Young, located in North Hollywood, California, has a beginner acrylics class that is perfect for those starting out with acrylics and looking to learn the theories and principles behind painting with acrylics. This is a small-group class that is open to not only beginners but also more experienced painters looking to refresh their skills and knowledge. In this class, you’ll be led through your painting step-by-step as your instructor explains the process behind them.
If you’re located in the San Diego area, Art on 30th offers several acrylic painting classes. In Intro to Abstract Acrylic Painting, beginner-level students will work on two to three personal projects while learning new techniques focused on color and composition, texture with gels, and glazing. If you’re looking for lots of feedback and help with your work, this class emphasizes peer interaction and instructor critique. Once you’ve taken this class, you can take their intermediate-level abstract acrylic painting class, which builds off the basics learned in the introductory class.
Art on 30th also hosts a Mixed Media Workshop. In this workshop, you’ll watch demos and study other artists while practicing ways to incorporate various mediums into your art, including painting. You’ll have an opportunity to work not only on your technical skills but also on your personal art style. If you’re interested in learning how to use acrylic paint on fabric, you can take their Paint Your Own Artist Tote Bag, where you’ll design, paint, and finish your own tote bag to take home.
Virtual Acrylic Painting Classes
If you want to start painting with acrylics but don’t know where to get started, consider taking an in-person class. In-person acrylic painting classes provide you with hands-on instruction and will typically provide you with all the materials you need to get started, like acrylic paints, brushes, and canvas.
If there aren’t any in-person classes in your area or if they don’t fit your schedule, you can take a virtual acrylic painting class. Virtual classes are taught remotely, meaning you can take them from any location with a stable internet connection and room to paint. This is a more flexible learning option because it eliminates the need to commute. A live instructor will guide you through your class as you learn about acrylic painting techniques and principles. There are online acrylic painting classes available on CourseHorse.
If you’d like to create an acrylic painting that captures an important memory to you, the Evanston Art Center offers the class Paint Your Travels: Watercolor or Acrylic. In this class, you will work on an acrylic painting of a personal photo. This class will teach you how to understand composition, color, and line when recreating a photo with acrylics.
CourseHorse offers a variety of art classes that focus on the process of acrylic painting regularly. If there aren’t any classes currently being offered that interest you, make sure to check CourseHorse’s listings periodically so you can stay up-to-date on new and returning virtual classes, like Online Painting with Acrylics 301, which teaches participants acrylic painting techniques of the 20th century as well as color mixing and cleaning techniques.
Private Group Acrylic Painting Classes in Los Angeles
Is your business or organization interested in scheduling a private online acrylic painting class as a team-building event? CourseHorse offers a variety of painting and craft classes that they can deliver to you.
Up to 500 participants can join their virtual Acrylic Painting workshop. In this workshop, you and your group will choose an image to recreate on your canvas. Painters of all skill levels can partake in this workshop and expect to walk away with a new piece of art.
The unconventional method of art pouring is taught in the online Acrylic Pour Art. This method requires you to pour acrylic paint onto your canvas. You can then manipulate how the piece will turn out by tilting your canvas to create effects and details. Your group will be led through the process by a professional artist who can help you understand the basics of the process as well as how to use your materials and tools, which include a pouring paint set, silicone oil, and a stirring rod. The unique piece you create in this class will be a great contrast to any traditional acrylic piece you create.
CourseHorse collects the addresses of all participants ahead of the class date so that they can ship them the required class materials, like acrylic paint, brushes, and canvas. If your participants are aged 21 and over, they can pay an additional $30 for a bottle of wine. If your group is interested in a custom class or would like more information about an existing class, you can reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website. They’ll work with you to find a class that best fits your group’s needs and interests.
There are no booking fees required when signing up for a group class with CourseHorse and they offer free cancellations up to two weeks before the date of your class. CourseHorse can accommodate a variety of online video platforms such as Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx, although they recommend Zoom.
