Be Brave with Kerry McInnis (5-6 August 2023)

1. At least 6-10 different images, A4 size, that the artist will be “interpreting”. Note: Please spend some time selecting your images. They can be photographs that you have taken or images from a magazine. Make sure you have a “focal point” and some decent tonal contrast within the image. If the photo has a lot of detail that is crucial to the feeling of the image, you will probably have to spend comparable time working that up with dry media and it will test your drawing skills. We don’t want to get bogged down with too much detail over the whole image. Choose your images before choosing your papers, then you might get some ideas about background colours. Please do not work from your phone or ipad.
2. 6-8 sheets of A2 size Art Spectrum Colour Fix paper or Canson Mi-Teintes or similar with grit, at least 4 should be mid-toned. The important thing is that the paper is able to absorb heaps of water without distorting. The heavy grit papers work well, as would 300gsm or higher watercolour paper. Thin pastel papers are not suitable. If you want to use watercolour paper instead, perhaps try the smooth surface papers (so we can have “slip”). We will use a full (or ½ if necessary) sheet for each composed image because the larger size will free you up a bit. Allow 3-4 of the A2 size sheets per day.
3. Acrylic paints, palette, palette knives, water jars, sprayer bottle. I like to work straight from the tub of acrylic paint, (dipping my brush straight in!) without taking time to mix colours on a palette. Maybe get several tubs of premixed colours that might work with your selected images, so you can work quickly………just a thought. If you really want to mix colours, please ensure your palette is big enough
4. Various Brushes – at least a couple that are at least 3cms wide
5. Sponges, scrapers, old credit card, palette knives, or anything to make marks with
6. Drawing materials: graphite, charcoal, conte crayons (suggest black, white, grey and brown), pastels, even inks if you wish. There are some terrific new coloured water soluble graphite sticks and other interesting things to try.
7. Erasers
8. Any other materials to throw into the “mix”
9. Tape or tacks for sticking up your image so you can see it easily without having to handle it, which breaks the flow and rhythm of painting, right?
10. Please wear clothing that you are prepared to get messy!

Born in Hawaii in1952, Kerry grew up in Guatemala before migrating to Australia in 1974. Her childhood was impacted by the contrast and colour surrounding her. She studied Fine Art at Middlebury College in Vermont spending her third year at the Sorbonne in Paris studying art history and language. Her art making was then confined to sketching in journals and life drawing classes at the Place des Vosges. In her final year at Middlebury she explored techniques and disinherited classical tenets. 

After obtaining her Masters in Materials Conservation from the University of Canberra, she formed a company and as Director of Art and Archival Pty Ltd she fulfilled a passion to observe and conserve works of art on paper for others over 20 years. 

She now works full-time in her studio in Bungendore, NSW, where she shares ideas and art with her husband, a sculptor. Having received many awards, prizes and grants for her art, Kerry has actively participated in many shared and solo exhibitions since 2001. She is represented by Wagner Contemporary Gallery in Sydney.

Media of your choice (acrylic, oil, gouache)

All skill levels welcome

Cancellation/Refund policy can be found HERE