The Art of Play
July 17, 2026
Artist: Robert Natkin
Join Zoom Meeting / Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87618016665
The artist Robert Natkin is renowned for his lyrical paintings that marry the energy of Abstract Expressionism with luminous Post-Impressionist coloring.
Warm-up + Project
We are concentrating on Robert Natkin's later paintings rather than on the full body of work and the series he painted during his long and successful career as an artist.
Words used to describe Natkin's paintings.
- decorative
- colorful
- textured
- abstract
- lyrical
- layered
- serene
- complex
You may paint, draw, or add markings as you work on your artwork.
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Tools that may assist in your creative exploration for marking and layering:
- sponge (used with watercolors)
- shape stencils (to create large abstract shapes as you build your piece) or draw organic, interesting shapes, building your abstract piece into a full composition
- plastic fork (for grid markings with wet paint)
Materials to consider and have on hand:
- watercolors
- paint sticks
- markers
- paint markers (Posca)
- colored pencils
We are going to concentrate on layering and adding elements of color and markings as we develop our artwork this week. We will slow down as we sit with the work and allow the process to be a very important element. Consider the direction that the piece is asking to move into. What transformation might take place.
Let’s play and take some risks working with different mediums and allow something new to be revealed!
Don’t worry, this will be fun, and I will show you multiple demo examples in class before we begin!
In the Evening, 1992, acrylic on canvas, 23.4 x 33.4 inches
One for the Singer, acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 21 x 40 inches
The Sabines, 2000, acrylic on canvas, 20.5 x 36.5 inches
Friends and Lovers at Night, 2004, acrylic on canvas, 42 x 60 inches
Good Prospects, 1987, acrylic on canvas, 44 x 33 inches
Untitled, 1998, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 60 inches
Like How the Left Side Modulates Up, 1989, acrylic on canvas, 58 x 80 inches
Singing and Dancing, 2003, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 60 inches/
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