Workshop | Abstracting the Human Figure

*The registration deadline for all workshops is 3 days before the workshop date. Don’t wait! We encourage you to register early to ensure a spot and that the class will be held.

Abstracting the Figure

How do you begin deconstructing the figure?

Transform the way you see the human figure by breaking it down into its essential shapes. In this expressive, hands-on workshop for adults of all skill levels, you’ll use watercolors or acrylics to create fluid, spontaneous compositions inspired by the figure—without focusing on strict realism.

From the first sketch to the final brushstroke, you’ll learn how to:

• Simplify and abstract the figure into shape, line, and color
• Experiment with gesture and movement to capture energy
• Play with composition for balance and impact
• Translate realistic forms into expressive, personal interpretations

Guided exercises will be paired with time for individual exploration, helping you develop your voice while expanding your understanding of abstraction. By the end of class, you’ll complete one to two finished paintings.

No figure drawing experience necessary - familiarity with paints recommended - just a willingness to loosen up, let go, and explore!

Instructor Information:

Lisa MacNamara is a multidisciplinary artist passionate about exploring various materials to convey narratives that reveal the emotional and physical layers of the human experience. After a successful Decorative Artist career, she was driven to excel in the Fine Arts. MacNamara earned dual degrees in painting and sculpture from Arizona State University. She continued her studies with artists Lucian Christian and Enzo Marino in Civitella, Italy, and exhibited her work in the U.S. and Europe. She is the recipient of multiple academic and creative awards, including a full teaching assistantship to pursue her MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Arts at Florida Atlantic University. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has worked with students from K–12 to adults, instructing in subjects ranging from drawing and 3D design to faux finishes. She is passionate about fostering creativity and believes that everyone has a unique story to tell through art. You will find her in her studio #7, currently working on a solo exhibition in January 2026 at the Coral Springs Museum.

Host or Publisher Arts Warehouse