Exquisite Surface Design Starter

Instructor: Barbara Close ( artist bio )

Venue: Online, SDBA’s Zoom Account

Day & Dates: Fridays, August 14, 21, 28, September 4, 11, & 25 of 2026

Time: Pacific Time, 9 AM—11 AM

Skill Level: All! No experience is necessary. Nervous beginners are welcome!

Class Description:
Explore techniques for creating expressive surfaces for artist book pages using paint, collage, printing, texture & other mixed media. Students will be able to work with materials and processes to develop unique covers, pages and other visual avenues. Suitable for beginners and experienced art makers alike.

1. Tree Bark Techniques—The Fascination of Tree Bark Colors 
   Imagine a humble surface of tree bark that becomes a whole landscape of texture, telling stories with dry brush, palette knives pressing thick paint into the page and scraping it back to reveal rough crevices and smoother, touchable areas. Also, ink diffusion techniques bring yet another image; drops of ink bloom on wet paper echoing the peeling bark. The result may feel like a memory, fragmented, delicate, gentle. No two outcomes are alike—just like no two trees are alike.
2. Amazement in Abstracts
   Abstract design is a means of visual expression beyond representation. Through exploration of color, form, line and composition, students will develop an understanding of how to communicate ideas and emotion, intuition, gesture and composition. 
3. Embossing & Debossing Techniques
   You can dive into the subtle dramatic textures of embossing and de-bossing. Students will be able to investigate how the raised and recessed surfaces transform materials, catching light and creating depth with dimensional surfaces.
4. Geometric Patterns & Shapes—Order & Rhythm
   Geometric Shapes have a visual power of structure, repetition and symmetry. This class introduces students to the foundational elements of geometric design—lines, angles, grids, balance and form, as well as how they come together to create compelling compositions. Emphasis is placed on both creative and precision explorations.
5. Florals & Gold Accents
   Explore the beauty of the essence of lovely florals elevated with luminous gold accents. We will be blending a soft essence of botanical forms with touches of gold to create eye-catching designs. This course encourages experimentation with expressive brushwork and layered textures that will be added to create harmony, balance and thoughtful use of gold bits to add depth & sophistication to the compositions.
6. Yupo Paper Experiments—Pulled Designs
   We will be exploring the unpredictable world of painting on Yupo paper. This is a smooth, non-porous surface that encourages movement and spontaneity. Acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, markers, alcohol inks…all are embracing the fun bold movements and unexpected textures as the paint glides across this non-absorbent surface. Discover how to let go of control and just let things happen. Results can be amazing.     

Tools & Supplies:
Each registrant provides their own tools & materials. Further specifics will be provided in the SDBA Welcome Letter which arrives approximately two weeks prior to the first class session.

While registrants will be providing their own supplies, we wanted to give advance notice of some items which may not be in your collection. Details will be reviewed throughout the class series, as well.

• Watercolors of your choice…
  Barbara enjoys MEI Shadow Black Japanesque Colours and others as well
• Walnut Ink or walnut crystals
• Sumi Ink
• Gold—Fine Tec
• Papers:
  Yupo Paper
  Watercolor Paper—Arches, Canson, Sanders 90# or 140#, Rives BFK embosses well
• Stylus with both small and medium sized ball tips

Suggested Suppliers:
Paper and Ink Arts
Art Supply Warehouse

Class Recordings:
Recordings will be available 30 days following each class session for registered students only.

Class Fees:
Early Enrollment Program (EEP): $200
Member: $250
Non-member: $325

Early Enrollment Program (EEP) is a member only, non-refundable discount. Join SDBA at checkout for reduced class fees.

EEP deadline: July 1, 2026
Registration Deadline: July 31, 2026