The Art of Acrylic: Beginner Basics

Adult Education

Wednesdays, March 4, 2026 – April 8, 2026  |  9:30 AM-12:00 PM

Cost: $240 for the entire 6-week series

ENROLL IN The Art of Acrylic HERE

About the Workshop

In this 6-week series, students will learn fundamental acrylic painting skills, including color-mixing, blending, layering, creating depth, and texture. There will be step-by-step

instruction as well as individual guidance. Students may work from their own reference images or choose from our photography library feature photos taken at Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

K.T. Williamson has been a practicing acrylic painter and instructor since 2016 and will guide the class through his unique step by step process. Supplies are not included in the cost of the workshop; see below for the supply list. All skill levels are welcome!

The Art of Acrylic: Supply List

The following supplies are recommended. If a student has supplies they are currently comfortable working with, they may bring those. The instructor will introduce and review supplies on day one. Recommended Stores: Michael’s, Blick Art Materials, Cheap Joe’s Art Stu, and Jerry’s Artarama.

Required Supplies:

• 9×12” Canvas (set of five)
  • Can be stretched, panels or sheets of any brand
• Assorted Acrylic Paint Brushes
  • Recommended Brands: Royal & Langnickel: White Taklon or synthetic brands
    • Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, and 10)
    • Flat brushes (1/2“ and 1”)
    • Fine detail brushes
• Acrylic Paint
  • Recommended Brands: Liquitex Basics, Windsor Newton, or Golden Ultramarine Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Yellow (Light Hue), Mars Black, Titanium White, Raw Umber. These are our primary colors.
• Paint Palette
  • Can use palette paper, any plastic palette, or a coated paper plate.
• Palette Knife
• Masking Tape

Optional Supplies:

• Masterson Sta-Wet Palette
  • This is a great product that will keep your mixed paints wet for up to a week!
• Additional Paint Brushes
  • Scumbling brush (rough hog hair-like brushes for texture and fur), mop head
    (soft blending brushes), assortment of filbert, angled, and/or fan brushes.
• Additional Paint Colors
  • Cadmium Yellow (Medium Hue), Cadmium Red (Medium Hue), Phthalo Blue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre. More colors means less mixing!

1. Fees cannot be refunded for participant cancellation or any other reason. In the event of extreme weather, class location may be moved indoors or a weather-related make-up date will be scheduled for no additional cost to the registrant.
2. Transactions will be processed through the Natural Heritage Trust as a donation on behalf of Bayard Cutting Arboretum.
3. For any additional questions, contact our Education Coordinator K.T. Williamson via Email: KT.Williamson@parks.ny.gov.