Will Day | Relentless: The Alchemy of Emotions and Forms

Workshop: Relentless: The Alchemy of Emotions and Forms

Instructor: Will Day

Dates: June 18-21, 2026

Days: 4

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Tuition: $1750

Included: Complimentary lunch provided in studio daily

Supplies: Not Included

This workshop, inspired by Will Day’s "Relentless" series, invites participants to delve into the transformative power of abstraction as a medium for storytelling and self-discovery. Rooted in the archetypal narrative of the hero’s journey - popularized by Joseph Campbell, this course explores how layering, composition, and color theory can evoke resilience, joy, and personal transformation.

Participants will engage with techniques such as underpainting, glazing, and palette knife application to create dynamic tension and depth on the canvas. Through a focus on gestural mark-making and the interplay of light and shadow, this workshop emphasized the importance of visual rhythm and spatial balance in communicating both chaos and harmony.

As you work with acrylics and other mediums, you will learn to approach the canvas as a space of emotional alchemy - transforming raw feelings into cohesive compositions that speak to the dualities of life. This workshop encourages experimentation, boldness, and vulnerability, empowering artists to advance their creative practice while navigating the gravity of contemporary circumstances.

By the end of the course, participants will not only refine their technical skills but also cultivate a deeper understanding of how abstract art can serve as a tool for connection and personal evolution.

Supply List

Canvas:

You’ll have one large wall that will hold up to a 60”x72” canvas. You will be doing at least 6 and possibly up to 8 paintings on canvas, depending on how quickly you paint. I recommend bringing 4 medium sized (36”x36”, 40”x50”, 40”x40”, 36”x48”, 48”x48”) as well as 4 larger-sized canvases (40”x60” or larger). It all depends on what you’re accustomed to. It’s fine if you prefer smaller sizes. Preparing the raw canvas in advance by measuring and cutting the sizes will save time. Most artists bring a roll of unstretched canvas or have one shipped directly from an art supply store to the gallery. Whatever is easiest. If you want to bring pre-stretched canvas, you can. So you understand my process, I usually paint on the raw canvas then stretch the paintings later.

Paints:

Liquitex Basics, Amsterdam, Golden or Liquitex Soft Body Acrylics are all good choices. Fluids or tube paint - whatever you prefer. House paint is also a good for exploring color relationships. Less is more – no need to bring every color you own. We can always get some other color paints at the local art store. I typically use Liquitex Basics Acrylic paint and the Amsterdam All Acrylic Standard Series.

• White – titanium white

• Black – your choice

• Red – one warm, one cool

• Yellow – one warm, one cool

• Blue – one warm, one cool

• Any other colors you like to work with

Brushes:

I love working with 2” and 4” foam brushes you can get at Home Depot 4” or 5” large thick Flat Bristle Brushes from the paint store are fun, too. Bring your smaller brushes as well. Whatever you are comfortable with using.

Drawing:

Bring a variety of drawing mediums of your choice (whatever you like to use) such as wood pencils, graphite crayons, watercolor crayons, oil sticks, solid markers.

Tools:

• Squeegee – 10” or 12”. (I love these tools. You can find them at Home Depot.

• Stainless Steel Palette Knife. I use a small and large one.

• Silicon Shaper Palette Knife - any size .

• 2 inch blue tape

• Bring at least TWO new tools to experiment with such as a kitchen spatula, broom, large sponges, trowel, toilet paper roll, etc. The goal is to encourage you to find anything that would make an unusual type of marks on canvas. Its all about exploring.

Books (for inspiration and ideas):

• “Creative Visualization - Use the Power of your Imagination to create what you want out of life” by Shakti

• Gawain

• “The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers” by Joseph Campbell

• “The Alchemist” by Paul Coehlo

Instructor Website

http://willday.com

Instructor Instagram

instagram.com/willdayart