#112 MASTER CLASS — THE MARKS WE MAKE
Think about the tools you reach for again and again, the ones that just feel right. Each one shapes texture, rhythm, and expression in your work. In this Master Class, Coach Nadine shows how her favorite mark-making tools create movement, depth, and energy in a painting. You will explore how layering and varied marks build interest and guide the viewer’s eye, expanding your visual vocabulary and discovering marks that feel uniquely your own. The Marks We Make: simple tools, infinite possibilities.
WATCH THE MASTER CLASS RECORDING
Jump to a section:
Click the chapter icon (the bulleted list inside the video player) to see and select any part of the video.
Chapters and timestamps are also listed below for quick reference.
- Childhood & Art Tools: 00:00
- Tool Storage & Crayons: 01:16
- Water Soluble & Sealing: 05:55
- Material Intro & Texture: 41:39
- Layering & Patterns: 43:08
- Lines & Color Balance: 47:29
- Final Thoughts: 53:50
*Please note that guest presenters are not necessarily Academy members available for commenting.
Thank you, Nadine! I loved this demonstration. I love making marks and discovering new tools. I’ve been a monotype printmaker for many years and have always used mark making in my work but I’m relatively new to painting and I never realized the impact that mark making can have in a painting. Your work produces so many “ooos and aahs” when I see the surprise results of the mark making tools. Thank you so much. Looking forward to another class from you.
So informative. Thank you.
Nadine that was spectacular. So much information. ……a million th@nks
So Good Nadine! I’m sure I will be watching this class multiple times. Thank you!
I am so glad you loved it, Linda!
During a particularly slow day at work, I was able to catch this session live. I loved the demonstration of the mark making tools and wanted to play with them, too! Thank you!
This was fun to watch! (I love watching you paint, Nadine.) You really do have a gift for demonstration and explanation. Loved seeing the different tools you use in action! Inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I’m thrilled you loved it.
Incredibly useful! Thanks so much for your perfect demonstration and explanation of the different mark making tools.
Wonderful as ever Nadine, thank you. Have just ordered some of the tools you show – the refillable bottles and markers since I adore the marks they make! What did you fill them with? I was very taken by the luscious black mark made by the flat top marker. And the fine line with a needle line dispenser. I have bottles of coloured inks and also a couple of hi flo Golden. But quite expensive to use in quantity. So would love to know what you used to fill them. Thanks so much, Annie
Hi Anne, I am excited for you and can’t wait to see what you do with them. The refillable markers have Holbein Acrylic Ink in them. That black is called super opaque black. It’s very black and luxurious! The little bottles that have the fine tip on them were Golden Hi Flo acrylics. Because they aren’t being used to cover the entire painting, they last a while. Have fun!
Hi Anne, I am excited for you and can’t wait to see what you do with them. The refillable markers have Holbein Acrylic Ink in them. That black is called super opaque black. It’s very black and luxurious! The little bottles that have the fine tip on them were Golden Hi Flo acrylics. Because they aren’t being used to cover the entire painting, they last a while. Have fun!
Thanks so much that was fascinating and so informative! With the pastel .. did you put pastel
ground down for a tooth for it? I didn’t see if you did. Where do you get all your amazing tools from? I have never seen the silicone rollers or those metal spatulas with teeth. No wonder your
work is so amazing, I really love watching you work.. wonderful!!
Thank you, Wickey! I am thrilled you enjoyed this Masterclass. Below the video, you will find a PDF with links to almost all of my tools. Have fun! and thanks again!
Wonderful!! Thank you !!
Nadine, really wonderful class. Learned so much and the art looks wonderful. Love your teaching style. Thank you!
One question, how do you clean the large textured roller?
Hi Angelique, thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed this Masterclass! I use Master’s Brush Cleaner or Master’s Hand soap to clean all my brushes and tools. I lather the soap and then rub it all over the tools. I’ll leave it for a short time and then will rub the paint off. I hope that helps