£357.00 GBP

I have read the materials list for Explore Still Life 1.

This course and the associated videos show Esté MacLeod's trademark Creative Leap method of teaching, where handwriting is used as anchor points. This course is intended for personal development only.

  • I agree not to teach Explore Still Life 1 processes demonstrated in my own courses, workshops or demos whether online, in print or in-person.
  • I agree not to share the processes used online or on social media.

You are welcome to share project outcomes, please tag #estemacleod

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Explore Still Life 1

Would you like to indulge in some creative ‘me time’? Join me for a course filled with colour and dynamic art projects to inspire and enthuse.

Due to numerous requests, I've opened up access to Explore Still Life 1 as a self-paced option with access for a full year. 

Back in 2015 when I began teaching my online art courses, the first theme I covered was still life and Explore Still Life 1 is the culmination my experiences and the feedback from students. I’ve done a lot of exploring and experimenting in order to develop new techniques with different types of acrylics and paint mediums in combination with mixed media.

The result is a jam packed four-week long course where I will show you dynamic processes in various water media to create expressive artworks. You will be doing all kinds of explorative projects where play is encouraged and experimenting with combined media will lead to new discoveries.

The techniques and processes will build upon each other to develop your individual creativity and increase your knowledge of materials and techniques.

Please take a look here for the information page I put together for the course, which covers background and a Q&A in more depth.

What's Included

  • Access to my still-life themed painting course consisting of four modules
  • (Each module was originally released as content for a week)
  • Four projects per module and a longer concluding assignment.
  • Bonus painting project
  • Over seven hours of prerecorded and subtitled video lessons.
  • Twelve months access to the course from date of registration.

Materials List

Please read carefully and click on the links to see samples of the materials you will need. Note that Explore Still Life I is materials specific and the list below offers the best overall value and quality. If you have questions about the materials please email me. 

Paint

  • Golden Fluid Principal set of 10 30ml (1oz) containers (note this is NOT the very small container set, NOT the High Flow set OR regular acrylic paint set). Set is available here or here.

  • One 59ml tube of Golden Heavy Body white titanium acrylic paint.

  • Golden Matte Medium 473ml container (NOT to be confused with matte FLUID medium or OPEN medium)

  • One Golden Open paint 59ml tube Manganese Blue (alternative is Open Sap Green)

  • One Golden Fine Pumice gel 8fl oz container depending on the size of your canvasses. This material is very important will be used as ground for painting on instead of gesso as well a for painting techniques.

  • One 30ml (1oz) container of Golden Nickel Azo yellow High Flow or Fluid and an extra 1oz bottle of Golden Fluid Titanium White

  • One 30ml (1oz) container of Golden Titanium White High Flow paint

  • Optional: One additional 30ml (1oz) container of Titanium White Fluid paint

Paintbrushes

In my courses I focus on use of colour and painting techniques. I use mostly short handle synthetic brushes suitable for acrylic painting, not too stiff (not hog hair) or too soft (sable or watercolour natural hair brushes are not ideal). The brushes listed are recommended:

  • Large fan brush and optional medium fan brush

  • Large flat brush, size 18 (1” or smaller)

  • Dagger brush size 1/2” or 3/8”

  • Round pointed brush size 10 (medium) 

  • Spiky comber brush 1”

  • Optional: short angled brush size 1/2” or 3/4” and a dip pen.

  • For finer detail you will need two smaller brushes A pointed round, angled, flat or dagger brush 3/8” size or a bit smaller will work, not too small.

I can also recommend Silver Brush company’s brushes as alternative, Their Silver Silk brushes are particularly suitable for acrylics. If you are based in Europe have  a look at Borciani Bonazzi brushes

Other Drawing Materials and Surfaces

  • A single Derwent Inktense ink black pencil, or alternatively Caran’Dache black museum aquarelle pencil  

  • Sketchbook A4 or bigger suitable for mixed media, spiral bound is ideal

  • Five large sheets of mixed media paper 220g or heavier, size A2 (around 17x23”)

  • Six stretched canvasses 16x16” (40x40cm) square OR 16x20” (40x50cm) oblong if that is easier to find. Canvas panels are optional, if you choose this option please make sure it is a fine textured canvas on a MDF or masonite surface rather than wrapped around cardboard. The canvas should not have a coarse or rough texture, it’s best to use a professional artist quality or mid range option with a fine woven texture. I use linen and fine cotton canvas for most of the projects in this course. These boards are an alternative.

  • One additional stretched canvas 20x20” (50x50cm) (NOT canvas board).