Acrylic Painting Classes San Francisco, CA

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Acrylic Painting Classes Coming up in San Francisco and Online

6 classes in-person in San Francisco have spots left, and 9 classes live online are available.

Oil & Acrylic Painting

Art School of SF Bay @ 1603 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

This course will help art lovers master various methods of oil and acrylic painting, and develop a personal unique style! We will work on painting nature: landscape composition, clouds, waves, waterfalls, trees, sun spots; learn to represent texture of various objects; we will practice expressing character and emotions in portraits, set up the mood of the painting, and deliver the right artistic message through it.  High-quality art materials...

Sunday Jul 23rd, 3:30–5:30pm Pacific Time

 (15 sessions)

$560

15 sessions

Studio Practice

Living Your Wild Creativity @ 4404 Ross Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95407

Each month we will explore a different topic. We meet as a group, check in, discuss the topic of the day, explore the topic through guided exercises and then have free time to paint and receive one-on-one support. A great way to meet artists from all over. Small class size. No experience necessary. Students will be responsible for bringing the following materials. Mixed media (Canson) workbook 9” x 12” or 11” x 14” larger paper: Canson...

Thursday Jul 6th, 10:30am–12:30pm Pacific Time

 (4 sessions)

$300

4 sessions

Play, Explore, Trust Yourself: Abstract Art Course

Living Your Wild Creativity @ 4404 Ross Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95407

This Class will ground you with good fundamentals for creating your own Abstract Art Practice. We will also spend the time establishing trust in your own tuititive process for expressing your heart’s desire. This is a classroom settting with talks, slide shows, videos and exercises to build a great foundation. All levels welcome and especially good for anyone new to Abstract Art.  We will cover: Understanding Abstract Art and what an artist...

Saturday Jun 10th, 10:45am–12pm Pacific Time

Marks, Marks, Marks!

Living Your Wild Creativity @ 4404 Ross Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95407

Marks are the basis of all abstract art. This day long workshop is a great way to get in touch with your authentic marks and let go of inhibitions and control. Learn techniques to push your marks to make them exciting and dynamic!  Learn how to create paintings with your marks! This workshop will infuse new energy and life into your paintings with new fresh marks. You will try new mark making tools as well. Limited to 6 people. All Levels welcome....

Saturday Jul 15th, 10:30am–4pm Pacific Time

Omi Callings: Painting the Orishas

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804

Omi Callings is a four week creative process where artists and creatives will spend time with the messages and wisdoms pouring forth from three orishas of the Yoruba spiritual tradition. This workshop is an invitation to explore the Yoruba cosmology system and strengthen our personal relationship with our inner waters.  Omi Callings invites participating artists to create three paintings and three poster affirmations honoring the energies of...

Wednesday Jun 21st, 5–7pm Pacific Time

 (4 sessions)

$120

4 sessions

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Color Theory

Art School of SF Bay @ 1603 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

This workshop will help art lovers master their ability to see and understand color as well as light. Learn about the science behind color, color mixing, how to organize a palette and effortlessly pick colors that work well together. Detailed Schedule Day 1: Introduction and overview of color and course: hue, value, saturation, analogous, triadic etc. Moods and emotion in color. Project: create your own munsell color system using paint...

Monday Oct 16th, 4:20–6:20pm Pacific Time

 (6 sessions)

$300

6 sessions

Acrylic Painting for Absolute Beginners

92nd Street Y

This class provides personalized instruction from expert teaching artists in the beautiful and flexible medium of acrylic paint. Working from direct observation, you’ll learn to render what’s in front of you and create depth and luminosity as you explore the use of textures and different surfaces. Beginning with basic forms, the class progresses from still-lifes to the live model and covers perspective, value and tone as well as the basics of...

Monday Jul 17th, 7–9pm Eastern Time

 (5 sessions)

$210

5 sessions

Online Painting with Acrylics 301

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

This class is available online and safe in-studio - Click here for the in-studio class Brighten up your world with amazing acrylics! This medium offers the flexibility of oils with a faster drying time and less hassles. In this class, students will learn techniques of the 20th century masters, including how to mix colors, prepare canvas, and execute styles including impressionism, contemporary realism, color block and abstract. Linda’s curriculum...

Tuesday Jun 6th, 3–4pm Pacific Time

 (4 sessions)

$160

4 sessions

Ceramic Llama Painting

Food Craft @ Live Online

Easy ceramic painting with virtual llama meeting No drama for our Llamas! Fulfill your dream of painting a ceramic Llama, while (virtually) meeting real Llamas! This event will be unforgettable and Ll-amazing. Paint your own ceramic Llama pottery with your desired color palette and get to visit fantastic Llama royalties you'll never meet anywhere else! Guests will discover the easy techniques for painting a colorful ceramic Llama, and meet star...

Monday Jun 19th, 9am–11pm Eastern Time

Color Theory: Seeing Color through Paint

92nd Street Y

Learn the fundamentals and advanced concepts of color theory using opaque and transparent media. The class will focus on color theory and its applications in both watercolor and acrylic paint. Mixing techniques, strategies, and exercises will be accompanied by painting from a range of subjects including landscape, still life, and interiors. Students will gain basic and advanced skills in color concepts and their applications. Supply List

Thursday Jul 13th, 1–3pm Eastern Time

 (6 sessions)

$335

6 sessions

Paint a Tote Bag Party

La Pittura Art Studio @ Virtual Learning

It's time to get that bag. You can show off your creativity and personal style by painting your own vibrant, outrageous tote bag in this online class. This DIY painting project is an engaging and interactive activity anyone of all ages can enjoy. A talented and supportive teacher from Art Therapy. Studio will guide each student so you'll have a blast customizing your own tote bag. You'll have plenty of time to put your own spin on your piece...

Thursday Jun 8th, 6:30–8:30pm Eastern Time

Beginners Art Journaling

The Art Studio NY @ Online Classroom

Unlock your creative expression in this fear-free, relaxing and self-expressive art journaling class for all levels, total beginners included! Art journaling provides a stress-relieving, inspiring and safe space to experiment, explore and express your inner-world through a variety of materials, colors, layers, and subject matter. Learn how to tap into meditative states through authentic art-making, and practice creative mindfulness while allowing...

Wednesday Jun 7th, 7–8:15pm Eastern Time

 (4 sessions)

$125

4 sessions

Painting with Acrylics (Ages 16+)

Evanston Art Center

A strong introduction to painting in which you learn about color mixing, painting techniques and composition exclusively in acrylics. Receive one-on-one instruction and everyone is encouraged to develop personal themes. Learn the specifics of this rich technique, which can equal the wonders of oil when well-mastered. Important Notes: This interactive online class is presented via Zoom. Please download Zoom (www.zoom.us), and register your email...

Thursday Jun 15th, 9:30am–12:30pm Central Time

 (12 sessions)

$495

12 sessions

A Starry Night in Glass Mosaics

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 00000

Using the iconic Vincent Van Gogh painting as a template, broken and cut art glass will be glued to an acrylic panel to form a realistic or abstract version of the night sky. This process takes into consideration color, shape, and shading, using gorgeous transparent glass as the medium. All materials are included. Registration must be submitted by June 27 to allow for shipping of materials. This class will be taught online via Zoom. Registered...

Saturday Jul 15th, 10–11:30am Central Time

 (2 sessions)

$249

2 sessions

Online Water - Soluble Oils 401

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

This class is available online and safe in-studio - Click here for the in-studio class Have you said no to oil painting because it is hazardous to the environment? Well now is the time to say YES! In this class, students will celebrate the deliciousness of this buttery and traditional medium in its new water-soluble, non-toxic form. Students learn the basics for mixing water-soluble oil colors and brush techniques including how to paint a...

Tuesday Jun 6th, 3–4pm Pacific Time

 (4 sessions)

$160

4 sessions

276 acrylic painting classes that have ended
Add to your wish list to find out about new dates

Glazing with Oils

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804

Want to make your oil paintings more luminous? In this workshop, we will cover grisalle, sfumato, and various layering techniques to help boost more light and color saturation into paintings.  Materials fee will cover the oil paint, mediums, brushes, surfaces, and acrylic paint (acrylic paint to be used for fast drying underpainting, before glazing).  This workshop was designed for those who have some painting experience; intermediate...

No upcoming schedules

Impasto Painting

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804

Create thick impasto style paintings in acrylic and acrylic mediums. Explore painting with palette knives, direct painting, and wet of wet techniques.    Suggested materials: Canvas or panel  Palette knife Optional: Acrylic media: molding paste, pumice gel   Heavy body acrylic paints, medium  Large acrylic brushes Experience Level: All levels, some painting experience recommended.

No upcoming schedules

Mix Those Media

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804

Our 4 week summer session will emphasize the process involved in creating paper collages. Participants will be encouraged to work intuitively, using a variety of papers, acrylic paints and inks, some photo transfer and adjusted National Geographic photos. Daily demonstrations and informal lecture, individual instruction and group discussion.

No upcoming schedules
$280

8 sessions

Portrait Stencil Workshop

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804

Learn to move an image from a photograph to a stencil, create a multilayered acrylic painting. Bring in a photo of a loved one or pet, and leave with a hand painted momento. Workshop will discuss options for stencil materials, including substrates and paint. Recognizing high contrast areas of an image will be done as a group, before moving to transferring and cutting stencils. Ultimately each student will create a 3 color graphic image using a photograph...

No upcoming schedules

Curiosidades de México I : Calaveras y Papel Picado

Richmond Art Center @ Virtual Classroom

The course is divided into three series of activities in which we will build some characteristic curiosities of Mexico. You don't need to be an expert, what's more, the less you know, the better! In the first project we will build a paper skull and cut our own confetti, perfect to decorate our house for the Day of the Dead. Materials List: Mexican Skull: White acrylic paint (3 oz approx) Black acrylic paint (2 oz approx) Thin round brushes...

No upcoming schedules
$105

3 sessions

The Big Picture

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94804

Delve into what it means for you to go big with your art. Demos and class projects will center around strategies for making work that is big in scale or subject, or both. Required supplies for this program: Four canvases or canvas panels that are larger than how you typically work, but at least 32"x24". We will start by painting on one for the first day, so feel free to leave the other three at home, or wait until Week 3 to purchase the others,...

No upcoming schedules
$280

9 sessions

Night Lotus

Painting & Vino @ 201 Orchard City Dr, Campbell, CA 95008

Join Christina at Water Tower Kitchen in Campbell for step-by-step Instruction from on how to recreate this beautiful painting. You will be using acrylic paints to create your very own masterpiece. Have a fabulous time sipping your favorite drink and being creative with your friends at this fun paint night art class. Remember, no experience necessary and all your supplies are provided. Painting & Vino events are great for a birthday celebration...

No upcoming schedules

Sedona Beauty

Painting & Vino @ 201 Orchard City Dr, Campbell, CA 95008

Join Christina at Water Tower Kitchen in Campbell for step-by-step Instruction from on how to recreate this beautiful painting. You will be using acrylic paints to create your very own masterpiece. Have a fabulous time sipping your favorite drink and being creative with your friends at this fun paint night art class. Remember, no experience necessary and all your supplies are provided. Painting & Vino events are great for a birthday celebration...

No upcoming schedules

Midnight Island

Painting & Vino @ 912 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA 94710

Join Adrianne at Gilman Brewing Co in Berkley for step-by-step Instruction from on how to recreate this beautiful painting. You will be using acrylic paints to create your very own masterpiece. Have a fabulous time sipping your favorite drink and being creative with your friends at this fun paint night art class. Remember, no experience necessary and all your supplies are provided. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the venue. Important:...

No upcoming schedules
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Best Acrylic Painting Classes in San Francisco 

A German chemical company developed acrylic resin in the 1930s. Acrylic paint was soon developed from acrylic resin. Although acrylics were common among house painters at first, artists began using acrylics for their pieces and had popularized the medium by the 1960s. Acrylics were less toxic than other paints on the market at the time and were easier to use. Artists also found that they could use acrylics to mimic watercolors and oil paints. 

Acrylics are ideal for new painters. Acrylic paints are a low-maintenance medium because they’re not messy and they can be cleaned easily. They also have a near-undetectable odor, which makes them preferable to other paints. However, if you use acrylics indoors, be sure that you’re in a well-ventilated area. 

Why You Should Learn Acrylic Painting in San Francisco

Painting has several mental health benefits. When you paint, you need to give most of your attention to what you’re working on. This can help improve your attention to detail and will take your mind away from outside distractions that may be causing you stress or anxiety. On top of that, painting has been shown to create positive emotions in the painter, which can help alleviate depression. Painting has therefore been used as a therapeutic tool. 

Acrylic paints are versatile. They can be used on paper, wood, cloth, and other surfaces. This makes acrylic painting a great way to add to other forms of art that you’ve made. You can paint on textiles with acrylics or figures that you’ve made from wood. Don’t worry if you have no prior painting experience. 

You can learn how to acrylic paint online or by taking a class in the San Francisco area. These classes will not only teach you the basics of acrylic paint, but they’ll also give you experience using acrylics on a variety of surfaces. 

In-Person Acrylic Painting Classes in San Francisco

In-person acrylic painting classes are being taught in the San Francisco area that you can sign up for today. In-person classes offer hands-on instruction from expert instructors. These instructors are also available to provide you with personalized feedback and can answer any questions that you have. If you’re looking to meet and socialize with other painters, these classes also provide you with that opportunity. 

Most in-person classes will provide you with the necessary materials to take the class, however, some may ask that you bring supplies for yourself. If this is the case, there will be a supply list either posted to the class page or sent to you upon signing up. These materials can be purchased at your local art or hobbyist store, or online. 

The Art School of SF Bay offers an oil and acrylic painting class to painters of all skill levels. This class will help you master the use of the two mediums and develop your art style. Over the course of two weeks, you’ll work on several paintings that focus on nature and you’ll create a finished portraiture. The Art School of SF Bay also hosts a color theory class that might interest you if you’d like to better understand the impact of color and light on your artwork.

Living Your Wild Life Creatively is an art studio in Santa Rosa that offers a studio practice class that any level painter can sign up for. This class focuses on a different topic each month. Participants will discuss the topic of the day with each other and the instructor, explore it through guided exercises, and then use their free time to paint and receive one-on-one feedback and support. Students are responsible for bringing acrylic paints and other materials, all of which can be found on the class page. 

Virtual Acrylic Painting Classes 

If you can’t make an acrylic painting class in San Francisco, you have the option of taking a virtual acrylic painting class. Virtual classes are taught remotely by live instructors from around the country. Classes focus on a variety of topics and techniques and are offered for beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level painters. 

You’ll need several tools and materials to take a virtual acrylic painting class, including acrylic paints and paintbrushes. For a full list of the items that you’ll need, check the supply list on the class’ page. 

An instructor with the Evanston Art Center will teach you about color mixing, painting techniques, and composition principles that are exclusive to acrylic paints in their class, Painting with Acrylics. This is an introduction to acrylic painting, so painters of all skill levels are welcome to sign up. You’ll receive one-on-one instruction in this remote class and work on a piece that speaks to you personally. 

Those with no painting experience can sign up for the 92nd Street Y’s class Acrylic Painting for Absolute Beginners. In this class, you’ll start with basic forms and progress to more advanced forms of acrylic painting.

Acrylics can be used on several surfaces, including cloth. La Pittura Art Studio’s tote bag painting class will teach you how to use acrylics on cloth as you paint a canvas tote bag. This class can be taken with friends or family. The studio will send you DIY kits that include most of the materials you’ll need, like paints, paintbrushes, and a canvas tote bag. 

Private Group Acrylic Painting Classes in San Francisco

Are you and a group of friends interested in booking a private group acrylic painting class? Or is your business or organization looking to book a class as a way of encouraging teamwork and communication? Whatever your learning goals, CourseHorse can deliver private group classes to you. 

CourseHorse is currently offering two acrylic-focused private group classes. The first one, their virtual Acrylic Painting workshop, will guide your group through the creation of an acrylic painting on canvas. For instruction in a non-traditional painting method, your group can book their Acrylic Pour Art class

CourseHorse will provide your group with all materials needed to take your class. Once you have provided them with a finalized headcount, they’ll mail out material kits to participants. For an additional price of $30, participants over the age of 21 can have a bottle of wine included with their kits. 

CourseHorse does not charge booking fees. They also allow free cancellations up to two weeks before your class is scheduled. If you need to reschedule a class less than 48 hours beforehand, you will be charged a $150 rescheduling fee. 

Zoom is the recommended online video platform for taking CourseHorse classes. They can, however, accommodate Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx if you provide the meeting details.