Acrylic Painting
Adult Summer Class | Registration opens Monday, May 4, 2026 8:00 AM EDT
This is 5-week course designed to introduce students to foundational acrylic painting techniques with a focused emphasis on color theory. Through observational still-life painting, students will explore how color relationships, mixing, and perception influence composition and mood while gaining hands-on experience with acrylic paint. Each week builds practical skills through guided exercises and studio work focused on developing confidence and control in painting.
What you will learn:
- Basic techniques of acrylic painting
- Advantages of acrylic paints
- Color theory
Required Paint Colors
- Deep Magenta
- Cadmium Yellow Light (aka Cadmium Yellow Pale)
- Cadmium Red Medium
- Ultramarine Blue, Red Shade (aka French Ultramarine)
- Manganese Blue Hue (aka Manganese Blue Phthalo, aka Cyan)
- Titanium White
- Ivory Black
Other Required Supplies
- Palette knife
- Canvas boards, canvas, or panels - no smaller than 12” x 12” and no larger than 16” x 16” (6 quantity)
- 1 round brush, 1 flat brush, 1 filbert brush, 1 angle brush
- Gray pallet paper
- Container (for water and brushes)
- Cloth rag (not paper towels)
- Apron or smock (optional)
Please note: No oil paints or solvents allowed - instructor is allergic.
Erik Peterson
Erik Adriel Peterson (they/them) is mixed-media narrative painter and educator. They received their MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (‘23), where they also obtained a Post-Baccalaureate degree (‘15). Their BFA was received from the Lyme Academy College of the Fine Arts ('14).