York Art Association
JUNE 14TH | 2-4pm | All Levels | DEMO/ Lecture|$20M $25NM
Do you consider oils to be the medium of choice for your work, but desire something beyond the usual application of tube-based pigment to canvas? Or perhaps you want to produce larger pieces but are challenged by the notion of covering all that bare canvas? Maybe you’re an abstract painter and want to give your work a different dimension or character. Maybe all of the above?
This class offers an alternate creative option: the use of enamel paint to enhance your current oil painting technique. The core concept involves the use of oil-based enamel paint to complement your standard palette of traditional pigments. This paint is sold in cans at outlets like Home Improvement Centers and Hardware Stores. It is “industrial” paint, used to paint a metal railing or touch up a tractor, branded as Rustoleum among other names. If you’re asking yourself, “Why would I want to use THAT stuff?”, There are numerous interesting aspects to its use, such as: its liquid nature, thick viscosity, gloss or matt finishes, and other unique characteristics. This is especially effective for abstract work, but not exclusively – it can be used for figurative subjects as well. The unique nature of this paint can really lend an expressive dimension to your work.
This class will introduce the use of enamel to the traditional painting process. Topics covered will include: color choice; surface finishes; brush recommendations; application and mixing with tubebased paint; and working flat versus using an easel, among other aspects. Next day painting will also be covered - painting over the dried enamel surface for even more textural and tonal possibilities.
This is a Demo and Lecture style Pop-up. No Materials are needed.
Artist Biography
Don Conley
Don attended Carnegie-Mellon University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Painting and Illustration. During the final year he studied under illustrious abstract painter Sam Gilliam. Upon graduation, Don pursued a thirty-plus year career in professional communications as an illustrator and graphic designer in the Washington DC area, while also producing his own painting and drawing. He recently relocated to the York area and has been an Adjunct Professor at York College since 2022. Don currently sells art through private commission and public sale.
