Introduction to Casein Painting with Gary Symington — Apr 5

Dates: April 5, 2025
Times: 10-2
Level: All levels

Workshop Description:
Casein is one of the most versatile painting mediums available today. It has the wash capabilities of watercolor, the smooth opacity of tempera and gouache and the rich texture of oils and acrylics.

In this workshop, the goal is to introduce students to an entirely unfamiliar but very viable and stable medium: casein! We will go over:

• Some background and history of the uses of casein will be discussed—from cave paintings to camouflage!

• Properties & Use of the medium will be discussed and demonstrated. (E.G.: Flexibility limitations and best surfaces for paint permanence; Plays nicely with other water-based mediums)

• Best materials/techniques will be demonstrated and discussed (E.G.: Ways to keep paint wet and workable)

• Instructor will do demonstrations periodically in class and show samples. (E.G.: Demonstrating use of casein emulsion and its glazing properties)

• Students will have an opportunity to paint with casein using a still life setup—a still life will be set up for students to paint from, or they can bring in their own reference

About the Instructor:
Award-winning painter Gary Symington is an accomplished landscape and seascape artist. A graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Painting, most of Gary's career has been dedicated to illustration and design, but in 2017 he traded in his computer “mouse” for brushes and paints and began painting in earnest once again. His hard work has paid off with numerous awards and juried showings, as well as four stints as an Artist in Residence, most recently in Southern France.

Gary paints primarily landscapes and seascapes, but also create portraits, florals and “human interest” works. His art has been influenced over the years by both French, Australian and American Impressionists. His latest work reflects an interest in the coast and forests of California, with emphasis on color, detail, light and shadow. After painting primarily in oils for years, he began to paint exclusively with the water-soluble medium casein seven years ago, and has never looked back.

Required Materials:
- Casein paint sets (available from Dick Blick or Jerry's Artarama): • Richeson Casein Paint the Shiva Series - Basic Set
- Set of 6 Colors • Brushes, watercolor or oil/acrylic type • Water containers; spray bottle • Palette (plastic or paper) • Pencils or charcoal for sketching on panel/paper • Watercolor paper (min. 140 lb. weight) or gessoboard or hardboard type panel • Not necessary, but small water-tight containers are helpful for mixing and to keep color workable

A note from the instructor: The Richeson Basic Set of 6 is a good set to start with, and you can pick up individual tubes to expand your palette to taste. A Sta-Wet palette is strongly recommended as casein is very fast drying! Casein emulsion helps brushability and aids in glazing.

Optional Materials:
- • Sta-Wet pallette system any size (keeps paint moist/workable) • Richeson Shiva Casein Emulsion (aids in brushability and glazing)