Lydia Panart

This in-person two- day workshop will offer artists the opportunity to immerse themselves into the abstract realm.  Finding inspiration on the 4 Elements (Earth, Water, Air & Fire), Artist Lydia Panart will guide participants through the painting process – from reflections on the symbolic meaning behind each element, to their visual abstract representation.

Through visual explanations, painting techniques demonstrations, and one-on-one feedback, Lydia will guide the students along the layering process exploring 2 elements of their choice.

This program is suitable for those with some previous painting experience looking to enhance their own artistic voice.

The theme of the workshop is the four elements (earth, water, air and fire). You will choose two elements or a combination of two. Inspiration images such as photographs are welcome.

The most important part of the process will be to find symbolic meaning behind the chosen element. We will brainstorm together first, and then I will introduce technique/s to try as part of the painting process.

Ticket sales are non-refundable.

• Two stretched canvases or canvas boards 20”x20” or the size of your choice.

Please bring them primed with a coat of white gesso.

Suggested Colours:

• White Gesso
• Raw Umber
• Ultramarine Blue or Prussian Blue
• Phthalo Blue or Phthalo Turquoise
• Magenta (or Dioxazine Purple if you already have)
• Cadmium Yellow Medium
• Pyrrole Red or Cadmium Red Medium
• Red Oxide
• Yellow Ochre

It dries white and can be used for texture.

Note: The goal is to mix colours and play with different consistencies. If you have a fluid acrylic Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, please bring it along. I will demonstrate how to layer beautiful luminous reds. I will show the process even if you don’t have your own set of paint to experiment with.

Feel free to bring whatever colours you already have or your favorites. Behr (interior) paint samples from Home Depot may be useful, too. They have a different consistency than regular acrylics. Please feel free to bring one or two samples of your choice, although this is not mandatory.

• Flat Brushes: 1” wide (one synthetic & 1 bristle)
• A plastic or metal palette knife, or two with different shapes

Note: If you happen to have a larger size brush, bring it along – no need to buy it. If you have round bristle brushes, bring them as well. The synthetic brush is good to achieve blending. The bristle one is for other brushwork including dry brush technique. If you have old bristle brushes, bring them too. They are excellent for this technique. We will use a palette knife to apply texture, for impasto, and to spread out paint.

• Disposable plates, or a disposable paper mixing palette
• Paper towels or a rag to clean and dry your brushes

Note: If you would like to take notes, try some colour mixings, or sketch some possible compositions, please bring paper or a notebook that takes water media.

Lydia Panart is an award-winning artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Inspired by the beauty of its European-influenced architecture, she studied at the National University of Buenos Aires, and graduated as an architect in 1991. Lydia is known for her thought-provoking abstract artworks created primarily with acrylics that have been exhibited nationally and internationally. Lydia has taught art at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Burlington Arts Centre, the Living Arts Centre, Visual Arts Mississauga and the Avenue Road Arts School. Through her works, she reflects upon human essence, her inner-self, and her core values.