Intro to Acrylic Painting with Ana Schwar

Wednesdays September 10-October 15 from 1:00pm-4:00pm

Join Ana Schwar for an engaging acrylic painting class where we’ll dive into the versatility and unique qualities of this dynamic medium. Whether you’re just beginning your artistic journey or looking to expand your skills, this class is designed to give you a strong foundation while encouraging personal exploration. You’ll start by understanding the characteristics—and limitations—of acrylic paint, and how to use them to your advantage. From fast drying times to layering possibilities. You’ll experiment with different styles and techniques, including simplified block painting for a graphic or “paint by number” effect, loose and expressive impressionistic brushwork, and color blending to create smooth gradients and realistic results. Throughout the course, we’ll focus on still life painting as a way to study composition, form, and color. You’ll learn how to use light and shadow to bring depth and interest to your subjects. We’ll also cover essential drawing and layout techniques, such as sketching freehand or using the grid method to transfer reference photos onto canvas.

These foundational skills will help guide you toward creating a more polished, photorealistic painting if that’s your goal. Each class will offer a mix of demonstration, guided instruction, and time to paint at your own pace with feedback and tips along the way. By the end of the course, you’ll not only have a deeper understanding of acrylic techniques, but also a completed series of artworks that showcase your progress and creativity.

Instructor Bio: Ana Schwar is a visual artist specializing in watercolor and acrylic painting. She brings an expressive, intuitive approach to her work, often blending design principles with fine art techniques to create unique pieces. Originally from Venezuela, Ana earned her B.A. in Graphic Design from the Instituto de Diseño de Caracas before relocating to Northern Virginia in 1989. Over the years, she has built a multifaceted creative career that includes illustration, graphic design, textile design, and art direction. She has collaborated with national and international clients such as the World Bank Group, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and major retailers like Whole Foods Market, Lidl, Target, and Walmart.