Beginning Oil Painting

This course is designed for true beginners or those with some prior experience who'd like to revisit the fundamentals and build stronger techniques. Working primarily from direct observation, students will focus on representational still life painting using oil paints. Each class will include hands-on activities, progressing from basic exercises to a completed painting.

SUPPLIES: Please plan to bring the following supplies and be ready to paint in the first class meeting:

- Oil Paints: Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Yellow Ochre, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Titanium White - this is an "ideal" palette for our purposes, though introductory sets with assorted colors from brands like Gamblin and Rembrandt work well, too.
- Medium: Linseed Oil
- Brushes: Most brushes sold today are synthetic, and may possess either soft or coarse bristles. Soft brushes works better as round, short-handle brushes (#1, #4, #6, etc.), while coarser brushes (also called “bristle” brushes) work better as flat, long-handle brushes (#6, #8 ). Long-handed brushes are larger overall. I recommend starting with a natural fiber hog-hair style brushes in a filbert tip. These allow for the greatest flexibility in mark making and have excellent durability. I’d start with two at a size 2 and two at size 4. Plan to start with at least one smaller round brush, and one larger flat brush. You can choose to acquire more brushes later based on your preferences.
- Palette knife - It is also important to have at least one palette knife (trowel-shaped).
- Surface: 10" x 12" Stretched Cotton Canvas, and a Canvas Paper Pad (or multiple smaller stretched canvases) for studies.
- Additional: Tear-Off Palette Sheets, Small Jar for Storing Medium. Pencil (2H or HB) & Paper Towels or Rags, brush soap, viewfinder (optional).

If you are using your own oil painting supplies that differ from the recommended ones, feel free to bring them. We can discuss how suitable they are on the first day of class.