Introduction to Painting - Virtual
“Sam helped me to see color differently. The activities in his classes helped me to not just see color, but to experience it. I look more closely now at how light, and the proximity of other colors can change my perceptions.
Sam sets a nice positive tone in the class. He modeled having fun, experimenting, and discovering in a unique way.” Spring 2023 Student
Sam's Teaching Instagram
10 Classes with
Session A
9:30AM - 12:30 PM (PDT)
Wednesdays
June 18th - August 20th 2025
Session B
6PM - 7:30PM (PDT)
Tuesdays
Meet on Zoom. Link will be provided on registration
Class Description: Introduction to Painting - Summer 2025
This is a relaxed and fun class designed for students who have never painted, have some experience and want to brush up and also for practicing more advanced artists.
The class has been built on an acrylic class I taught in person but all mediums are welcome. We will learn the fundamentals of materials as well as learn how to look at and talk about art. Topics covered may include composition, value, color mixing, painting from life such as still life and portraits, collaboration, and a copy problem. The
teacher will also introduce various artists either with slide presentation or books. We will learn together and surprise ourselves with art. After enrollment students will be provided with a supply list to bring to first
class. I use 2 cameras to teach the class - One is used for the slide shows and the talks and another is focused on my palette and painting demonstrations. The class is supported by a community forum and an instagram page.
Painting Class with Sam Payne Supplies List
Summer 2025
Invariably the student of painting finds materials they prefer by experimentation. To start, I suggest 3 materials:
-
An artist level paint such as Golden or Liquitex.
-
A primed canvas pad or heavy Bristol paper that is primed or unprimed with Gesso.
-
A way to stand the surface being painted do upright such as an easel.
But if these materials are cost prohibitive there are many alternatives.
Many students will already have paints and supplies that they have acquired and are excited to experiment with.
I encourage the use of those pre-existing materials. I also have the list below as a suggestion of materials.
There are convenient kits of paint and brush sets available I have linked below. These links are mostly for Michaels because there was one near where the class was taught in person. But I strongly recommended stores such as Dick Blick and Utrecht and your local art stores.
-
Paint:
Tubes or Jars of Acrylic “Heavy Bodied” Paint such as the Golden or Liquitex brand.
Any of the 3 sets linked below will work well. 2 fl. Oz is a good volume for each tube to start. If you cannot purchase these sets, you can buy the tubes individually or find sets from other brands that include similar colors.
*One goal is to learn to mix colors and apply paint. For this purpose we do not need 48 colors sets, etc. The student only requires 3 to 8 colors in addition to black and white. There are infinite ways to arrange a palette. The course is designed for flexibility and diversity. In this way all students might have slightly different colors which will promote sharing of information and growth.
https://www.michaels.com/product/golden-artist-colors-modern-theory-color-mixing-set-D015671S
https://www.michaels.com/product/golden-heavy-body-acrylic-principal-6-set-10043312?com_id=pdp_AlsoLike&path=youMayAlsoLike
Golden Classic Set (Amazon)
-
Surfaces to paint on:
Such as a pad of “pre-primed” canvas paper measuring around 9”x 12” (Approximately 20 sheets)
As the student progresses, I strongly recommend purchasing Gesso and priming a stiff surface such as Bristol paper with a colored ground and using this as your painting surface in addition to other supports such as canvas and panel.
Surfaces that can be painted on:
1. “mixed-Media” style paper.
2. Bristol Paper Pad ( I will supply link shortly)
3. Canvas pad paper/ (I will supply link soon)
4. Pre stretched canvases
-
Brushes:
I suggest an assortment of round and flat brushes. Brushes are categorized for sale depending on paint medium. Since we are using acrylic paint in this class, I suggest using brushes, flat and round, in the acrylic category. Sizes ranging from 5 to 10.
https://www.michaels.com/product/brown-synthetic-flat-round-brushes-by-artists-loft-necessities-10335747
-
Rags/ paper towels
-
Two or 3 water containers: (can be paper cups). These are for dipping brushes in water when painting.
-
Palette. Acrylic dries quickly. Students need convenient ways to store paint in a relatively airtight/ damp container. I present 3 options –
1.) Palette paper and the larger artist palette box
2.) The smaller palette box in combination with palette paper.
3.) Jar method: Dipping your brush in jars of paint rather than using tubes and mixing your paint with the brush rather than the palette knife. This requires purchasing your paint in small jars or transferring your tube paint to jars.
https://www.michaels.com/product/artist-palette-seal-10011263
https://www.michaels.com/product/stawet-handy-palette-10473488
https://www.michaels.com/product/paper-palette-pad-by-artists-loft-9-x-12-10552994?michaelsStore=8754&inv=2
-
Palette knives
One palette knife is sufficient.
https://www.michaels.com/product/metal-palette-knife-set-by-artists-loft-10598004?michaelsStore=8754&inv=3
-
Spray bottle
https://www.michaels.com/product/clear-spray-bottle-4oz-by-artists-loft-10720097
-
A way of supporting your surface upright such as an easel or taping the canvas to a wall etc.
-
Mediums: A slo-drying retarder and a matte medium from Golden or liquitex.
-
Small squeeze style containers for distributing your mediums to your paint.
-
Curiosity and compassion!