The Color Wheel: Demystifying It's Use
Saturday Aug, 30
10am – 2pm
Price: $80
How do you select what color to use so your painting is dynamic? How do you create a bold contrast
that makes your painting come alive? What’s the difference between an analogous color and a tertiary
color? In essence, how do you use the color wheel?!
This workshop will take you through the basics of the color wheel and how to mix colors so that the
objects you paint look so good that you feel like you can pick them right off the canvas.
Instruction includes defining the words on the color wheel and how each part is used, setting up a basic
palette that works, reviewing the basics of composition and values, the secrets to creating value
contrasts using colors and live demonstration.
Still life set ups will be arranged for students to work from. This is a four-hour workshop that is geared
toward beginner to advanced students or anyone who wants to further their understanding and technical
skill with color.
Mediums can be colored pencils, watercolor, acrylics or oil paints.
Students must supply their own materials.
Suggested Materials List
Note: If possible, oil paints should be of a professional quality and not “student grade”. Student grade
paints have too much “filler” which do not always allow for rich, vibrant color saturation.
Students should wear a smock or apron to avoid damaging their clothing.
There is no materials fee. This list applies to acrylics and watercolor paints as well.
Paint Colors:
Flake white (the non-toxic kind) Note: Do not buy/use Zinc White (For acrylics, use Titanium)
Dioxazine Purple
Alizarin Crimzon
Ivory Black
Burnt Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Ceruleum Blue
Venetian Red
Cadmium Red Light
Cadmium Yellow Dark
Cadmium Yellow Light
Naples Yellow or Naples Yellow Light
Yellow Ochre or Yellow Ochre Light
Brushes:
Note: If possible, brushes should not be bristle. Choose brushes with a soft, flexible texture.
Filberts #8, #10 and #12
Flats #10 and #16
Palette:
Paper or plastic palette is fine. Do not use wooden palettes.
Medium:
Cold Pressed or Refined Linseed Oil (Do not use any solvents such as Turpenoid or Turpentine)
Canvas:
Canvas can be either stretched or panels, either cotton or linen. Canvas size should be 8” x 10” or
larger. Bulk packaged canvas is okay.
Additional Materials:
Paper towels or clean cotton rags
The Master’s brush cleaner tub or bar soap
*Students should wear a smock or apron
*Bring paper towels or clean rags
Teacher Bio:
Fran Failla began painting in oils when she was in her early teens and has been painting for over 50 years. Studying for many years at the
Art Students League in New York City, she is trained in classical oil painting. She moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2018 and has continued to study, paint, and teach oil painting, receiving the Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist Grant 2024 and the Halo Arts Project Fellowship Award 2025. She also teaches art and oil painting workshops at the Beach Art Center and the Suntan Art Center
