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Intro to Oil Painting (Beginner)

In this one-time class, students will learn how to prepare for an oil painting, how to paint with oils, and how to clean up afterwards.
Brynne
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(22)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
1 in-class hours

Class Experience

In this class, learners will be taught the basics of oil painting, including the correct brushes to use, the best brands to paint with, the necessary materials for setup and clean-up, how to mix colors, and how to use the paint on canvas. I have all of the materials with me in my studio space, so I will show students what exact materials I use and how they impact final paintings through demonstrations. At the end, I will do a demonstration of a small painting of some fruit and learners are more than welcome to paint along! Learners will need little to no prior knowledge about oil painting as I am more than happy to answer any questions they may have. Additionally, all of the products I will show are my personal preferences, and I do not receive any commission for recommending them.

Learning Goals

-Materials needed for oil painting
-Qualities that differentiate oils from other painting mediums
-Safety precautions when using oils 
-Paint application and blending techniques
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
If you plan to paint along, you will need:
-a small canvas (no smaller than 4x6 and no bigger than 8x10 preferably. I will be using a 5x7)
-blue, any kind of bright yellow, dark brown, black, and white tubes of oil paint (I strongly recommend Grumbacher Academy which can be found at Hobby Lobby, but they are on the expensive side. If your learning is taking this class experimentally and isn't committed to oil painting, I would opt for a student-grade oil paint. I've had students be successful with Master's Touch (found at Hobby Lobby), but I've never used the brand.
-a brush (any size is fine, but the smaller the brush, the longer the painting will take. The larger the brush, the harder the paint is to control)
-a jar with a lid (can be an old food jar or a mason jar) or a paint cleaning jar (these can be found at Hobby Lobby and most craft stores)
-Paint thinner for cleaning brushes and thinning paint (Gemini Masterpiece or Mona Lisa is a good thinner. Gamsol is a great thinner. Speedball Pink Soap is best if you want to be extra aware of possible air toxins, but keep in mind that though this will clean your brushes, it is not a paint thinner and therefore will take a bit of patience before your brushes are completely clean. If you opt for this route, you will need to also scrub your brushes after you're done painting to prevent them from hardening. Also, if you are opting for Pink Soap, be aware that this can not thin your paint for easier application on the canvas, so you will also need to purchase Galkyd or Liquin, which are paint thinners that are not for cleaning brushes. If you have any specific questions about which thinner is best for your learner, please feel free to message me, I know this can be tricky to figure out from experience :) I personally use the Pink Soap+Galkyd combo as an experienced painter.)
I would also strongly suggest wearing clothing you don’t mind getting dirty, as oil paint does not typically come out of clothing. Additionally, be sure you are painting in a well-ventilated space, as paint thinner fumes can be overwhelming or hazardous in the wrong environment.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
22reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been creating oil paintings for about 2 years now (including the painting in the photo and in my profile video) and I’ve given private lessons in painting since the summer of 2019. I am also currently pursuing a B.F.A in Visual Arts Studies (Art Education) with a minor in Art History at the University of North Texas.

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$10

per class

Meets once
60 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
3-6 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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