Oil Painting Masterclass

About this course

The course explores oil painting through direct observation, drawings and photographic references. Participants will develop paintings while examining composition, tonal values, hue, saturation and colour mixing, alongside brush handling and the use of varied pressure and touch. Teaching also includes studying old master and contemporary artists through transcriptions, analysis and deconstruction of their work. These activities are used to examine different approaches to making paintings and inform the development of individual work, including finished paintings based on a range of visual sources.

What you'll learn

• Develop observational painting skills using direct observation and visual references.
• Apply compositional principles and test different compositional possibilities.
• Mix and assess colours using colour theory, tonal values, hue and saturation.
• Control brush handling and vary the weight of touch in oil paint.
• Analyse and make transcriptions of works by old master and contemporary artists.
• Develop a finished oil painting from a range of visual information and references.

Is this course right for you?

The course is labelled Intermediate / Advanced, suggesting it is intended for learners who have moved beyond introductory oil painting. Participants will work on their own paintings using direct observation, drawings, photographs and artist references, with an emphasis on developing an individual approach.

• Suitable for learners working at an intermediate-to-advanced level.
• Includes painting from both direct observation and supplied visual references.

Before you go

• Participants should bring drawing materials, including pencils, a putty rubber and oil pastels.
• Required materials include oil paints, a range of bristle brushes, a small synthetic brush, a house-painting brush, palette knives, masking tape and painting surfaces such as canvas, canvas paper or primed boards.
• Participants should bring brush-cleaning materials, including Zest It, a rag and a small jar. Linseed oil is optional.
• A palette, greaseproof paper or tear-off palette is also required.