ALCHEMY & ABSTRACTION
The Magic of Transmutation
Recommended
A live online painting workshop with Cristallina Fischetti.
Explore colour, gesture, layering and intuitive mark-making through the lens of alchemy and abstraction.
Saturday 26 September 2026
4:00–5:30 PM BST
Live via Zoom
8 places · £55
Join live from anywhere in the world.
4:00 PM London · 5:00 PM Central Europe · 7:00 PM Dubai · 11:00 AM New York · 8:00 AM Los Angeles · 10:00 AM Colombia
A live online painting workshop with Cristallina Fischetti.
Explore colour, gesture, layering and intuitive mark-making through the lens of alchemy and abstraction.
Saturday 26 September 2026
4:00–5:30 PM BST
Live via Zoom
8 places · £55
Join live from anywhere in the world.
4:00 PM London · 5:00 PM Central Europe · 7:00 PM Dubai · 11:00 AM New York · 8:00 AM Los Angeles · 10:00 AM Colombia
ALCHEMY & ABSTRACTION — The Magic of Transmutation
A live, artist-led painting workshop exploring the transformative potential of colour, gesture, material and intuitive mark-making.
Drawing from my ALCHEMEA practice, each session invites you to work experimentally, allowing the painting to evolve through layering, disruption and response.
THE WORKSHOP
WHAT TO EXPECT
A 90-minute guided painting experience on canvas, exploring the language of alchemy through abstraction.
Each session begins with an idea, image or alchemical principle, followed by a series of intuitive painting exercises designed to loosen the hand, open perception and encourage experimentation.
Working directly onto canvas, you will explore colour, gesture, layering, mark-making and material, allowing the painting to evolve through the process rather than trying to control the outcome.
There will be moments of guided making, reflection and observation, with space to share your process if you wish.
No previous painting experience is required.
Image credit: PMNA Photography
MATERIALS
Bring a canvas and your painting materials.
For the session, you will need: One canvas, approximately 40 × 50 cm is ideal
Acrylic paints- A selection of brushes Palette or mixing surface
Water container and cloth
Pencil, charcoal or other drawing materials
Any additional materials you would like to experiment with
You don't need an extensive collection of art materials.
Work with what you have and allow the materials to become part of the process.
THE ALCHEMICAL PROCESS
From matter to transformation.
Drawing from my ALCHEMEA practice, the workshop explores the alchemical idea of transformation through the act of painting — moving from grief, uncertainty and what feels unresolved towards release, vitality and joy.
Rather than following a fixed technique, we move through stages of making, disrupting, removing and rebuilding, allowing the canvas to transform as we work.
01 — NIGREDO
Beginning in the unknown. Making the first marks without needing to know where the painting will go.
02 — SOLUTIO
Loosening what has been established. Introducing colour, movement and change.
03 — PURIFICATIO
Removing, refining and revealing. Responding to what has emerged on the canvas.
04 — RUBEDO
Bringing the elements together. Allowing the painting to arrive at its own sense of resolution.
From grief to joy.
From matter to transformation.
The aim is not to create a perfect painting.
The aim is to experience transformation through painting.
That last distinction is important. It makes the workshop about your methodology and experience of painting, rather than promising that participants will learn to paint “like Cristallina.” It also connects directly back to ALCHEMEA.
NEXT SESSION
Saturday 26 September
4:00–5:30 PM BST
Live via Zoom
8 places · £55
Join live from anywhere in the world
