Intuitive painting
with Helen McCusker
Saturday April 11, 2026
A one day, intensive workshop in abstract painting led by artist Helen McCusker to help you work from intuition instead of expectation.
During this comprehensive exploration of abstract techniques, you will learn to move your attention out of the head and into the body, developing a personal library of marks and textures.
Shake off representation, instead learning to respond to movement, material, and feeling. This high-energy, low-pressure day empowers you to slow down, let go of control, and use curiosity and play as your primary creative tools.
Guided by Helen McCusker, you will transition from initial physical warm-ups to creating deeply layered, responsive paintings using acrylics and mixed media.
This workshop focuses on the intersection of physical gesture and intuitive response, encouraging you to get comfortable with the unknown as you paint. Under Helen’s guidance, you are invited to peel back the layers and demystify abstraction, viewing it not as a series of random marks, but as a deliberate sequence of choices, attention, and response.
Ideal for those looking to move away from representational images, this workshop is designed to empower you to explore curiosity and play as primary creative tools.
About the artist
Helen McCusker is an artist and abstract painter based in Glasgow.
Her bold and vibrant compositions concern themselves with the fragile interrelationships between living things, their environment and the concept of time. In her teaching, Helen focuses on the intersection of physical gesture and intuitive response, encouraging students to get comfortable with the unknown. Her approach aims to demystify abstraction, viewing it not as a series of random marks, but as a deliberate sequence of choices, attention, and response.
Focus areas
Gesture and the Body
Moving from the arm and shoulder to create marks that reflect speed, rhythm, and physicality.
The Mark-Making
Exploring unconventional tools, from credit cards to sponges and combs, to build a unique vocabulary of texture.
Translation and Interpretation
Learning how to respond to source material (visual, musical, or poetic) by translating mood and movement rather than copying shapes.
Responsive Layering
Developing the “action and pause” rhythm of abstract work – adding, removing, and covering layers to find the final composition.
Materials
Basic painting materials will be provided including easels, tables, drawing boards, some solvents and papers.
We also ask that you bring:
Old clothes or an apron
Paint and Mediums:
– Acrylic paint (Large bottles of White, Black, Red, Blue, and Yellow)
– Acrylic ink or fluid acrylics
– Gesso (large tubs) and Matte/Glazing medium
Surfaces:
– Newsprint or cheap paper for warm-ups
– Heavy paper or canvas paper
– 1 x Pre-stretched gessoed canvas & 1 x Raw unprimed canvas
Tools:
– Brushes: Large flat brushes, old worn brushes, and palette knives
– Found Tools: Sponges, credit cards, cardboard, sticks, combs, forks, silicone spatulas, and rags
– Other mark making tools: Charcoal, graphite sticks, oil pastels, and masking tape.
Location
Segotia Dublin in the heart of the city is our home base. In old Dublin slang the name Segotia literally means “dear friend” - a fitting name for the home of Parea Ada!
We’re sure you’re going to love it here. It’s a restorative and creative place that’s all about community, connection, and creativity.
Segotia isn’t just our home but the home of many other creative residents too - from painters to musicians and potters.
Booking
Bookings are now open and can be secured with a 50% deposit. The balance can be paid before the workshop start date. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable if cancelled within 30 days of the start date.
For more information, check our Terms and Conditions.
