Eat. Play. Drink. Cape Town.
  • Home
  • Eat
  • Play
  • Drink
  • TV
  • Portfolio
  • News Room
  • Services
  • Contact
Eat. Play. Drink. Cape Town.
  • Home
  • Eat
  • Play
  • Drink
  • TV
  • Portfolio
  • News Room
  • Services
  • Contact
0
FeaturedPlay

Learn to create beautiful art with acrylic pouring workshops at Bright Studio

by Bianca Coleman 3 Jul 2019
by Bianca Coleman 3 Jul 2019

MY relationship with making art is complicated. I love the idea and concept of creating paintings and drawings but have zero natural talent.

Science very kindly provides us with several reasons why we should do it, even if we’re rubbish at it, and there are dozens of articles on the internet to prove this theory. In a constant triumph of hope over experience, I have plenty of art materials at my disposal but usually claim to be “too busy” to actually paint anything.

Last year, I did a four-part oil painting course at Bright Studio in Woodstock, with surprisingly satisfying results (read about it here). This had a lot to do with Anthony de Klerk, who teaches the course, being at my elbow for most of the time. Sensing my frustration, and desire to make pretty things, he suggested I could go abstract. “Try acrylic pouring,” he said.

It’s been a long time but finally one of these Saturday morning classes coincided with me being in Cape Town, and I leapt at the opportunity. The workshops are hosted by Liesel Roux of Fyrebird Creations, and she was adamant that anyone with control issues should put them aside. In fact, at one stage she made us all do breathing exercises to minimise any anxiety about what would happen. This was not optional.

I made an art!

This sounds a little scary but the first thing you need to know about acrylic pouring is that, even if you’re familiar with the techniques, will pretty much come out however it pleases. You can guide the paint, sure, but a slip of the wrist can yield unexpected results. There were six of us that morning, using various colour combinations, and every single canvas – 12 in total – was different, and gorgeous.

My friend Tamar, who is a brilliant artist (tattoo and other media), warned me it would be messy, and advised me to listen closely to Liesel and follow all her steps. Liesel confirmed this by telling us to stay with her, and not rush ahead.

We each had a pouring station and access to lots of lovely paint. To do this type of art, you need to mix the paint with a pouring medium, and you need silicone (because oil and water don’t mix and that’s how you get the “cells” in the painting). Liesel showed us how to do this, but the paints we could use were already mixed. We selected five colours, prepared our canvasses, and hoped for the best.

The first pour was simple; the cup of colours was placed in the centre of the canvas and lifted in one sweeping motion so all the paint spread more or less equally in every direction. For the second pour (the one we had to do the deep breathing for), the cup was dragged in a circular pattern from a corner of the canvas, lifting slightly as we went. Liesel was there to guide us every painstaking millimetre of the way, offering advice, tips and tricks – but always emphasising it was our art.

It’s definitely an ooh and aah experience. I was already excited seeing the colours merging and mingling in the cup, but that first moment as it all rushes out is amazing. I was delighted with the results, and loved getting paint all over my apron, hands and even my face. Naturally, I bought a whole bunch of Liesel’s products so I can make more at home, just as soon as I have time. I also like that these canvasses can be displayed any way up, so if you want to buy one, I won’t be offended by how you hang it.

I made another art!

For more information, click here, or call Liesel directly on 060 641 2829, email liesel.fyrebird@gmail.com or go to her website here.

Liesel Roux

PHOTO CREDIT: BIANCA COLEMAN © (except featured image)

FacebookTwitterWhatsappEmail
previous post
Constantia restaurateur comes full circle with Botanicum Café & Grill
next post
Taste the flavours of the Klein Karoo with Barrydale’s Karoo Art Hotel’s Muscadel festive feasts

You may also like

Veganuary is the perfect time to try a...

13 Jan 2021

Tintswalo extends 50% staycation deals for locals

13 Jan 2021

Feasting on tapas at Judd’s Local in Kloof...

11 Jan 2021

Live it up at Stellenbosch’s sublime Street Soirées

4 Jan 2021

Wrapping up 2020 with a road trip to...

22 Dec 2020

Al fresco moments to savour at the Mount...

22 Dec 2020

Cape Town’s Foreshore gets a nudge and a...

22 Dec 2020

Pick n Pay commits to buying 25 million...

22 Dec 2020

Sibalicious dining experience at Table Bay hotel

22 Dec 2020

Suanne Braun on her role in Netflix’s Princess...

22 Dec 2020

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

About Me

About Me

Bianca Coleman is a Cape Town-based freelance journalist who specialises in eating, playing and drinking, and the adventures along the way.

Get Notified About New Posts

Do you love to eat, play and drink in Cape Town?

Subscribe to our bi-weekly email updates below and never miss the latest Cape Town lifestyle news.

First Name
Last Name
Enter your email address

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • RSS

©2017-2020 Bianca Lee Coleman. All Rights Reserved.