Oil Painting for Beginners



For anyone who has wanted to learn the fundamentals of oil painting. We cover: how to arrange an oil palette and mixing an initial nine pools of colour from light to dark; how to paint a range of objects, starting with the monochromatic before moving on to colour, while developing the knowledge of the relationship of both drawing and the modelling of form to painting. The main aim of this class will be to see and correctly record tone. Some prior drawing experience is recommended but not essential.

COURSE OUTLINE
  • Week 1: In the first introductory class students will make a drawing of a prescribed white object, either a skull or copy of an antique statue. The aim of this class will be to establish the scale and proportions of the object that will begin to be painted in the following week. Students must bring paper, willow charcoal, an eraser along with large metal clips to attach their drawing to the support provided.
  • Week 2: Students will prime their canvas with a thin neutral colour well in advance of the second class and transfer their drawing to the support (This will be discussed in detail at the beginning of Week 1). In this class we will discuss how to arrange an oil palette and mix nine pools of colour for painting. The remainder of the class will address how to broadly see and block in the major tonal masses of the object and background.
  • Week 3: Depending on the level of each student, we will continue to address the major tonal masses, or move on to more specific gradations of light and shade.
  • Week 4 onwards: Students will work on a second white object or may choose to bring an item of their choice in from home to paint. Objects might include, but are not limited to, ceramic ware, glassware, sculpture, or other items from around the home. The purchasing of other colours in relation to the objects chosen will be discussed as the need arises.

PLANNED LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
  1. Gain an understanding of and an ability to record tonal values in oil painting.
  2. Learn to empricially observe and address the interelationship of form, tone and volume in any object.
  3. Make use of and identify a variety of painting materials.

MATERIALS LIST
  • 2 sticks of willow charcoal
  • Kneadable eraser
  • 1x A3 sheet of drawing paper
  • Paper clips for support
  • Large inexpensive wooden palette
  • Palette knife
  • Linen rags or paper towels for cleaning.
  • Linseed oil
  • Glass jar with lid
  • 6 oil painting brushes (I recommend Isabey synethetic)
  • Stretched and primed cotton or linen canvas 24cm x 36cm
Initial Oil Paints
  • Titanium white
  • Yellow ochre
  • Burnt umber
  • Mars Black
  • Cadmium Red


When:
Thursday 3 May - 21 June 2018
6.00 PM - 9.00 PM

Where:
WEA Sydney
72 Bathurst Street 


Previous feedback:

'I learnt a lot and was impressed by the presenters knowledge and clear and easy presentation.'