Introduction to Oil Painting
with Nataliya Zozulya
The perfect opportunity to get started in oil painting. This course introduces a systematic approach, with exercises to build confidence and unleash the imagination. You will learn techniques relevant to all styles of painting and begin to develop your own style.
Spring Term Dates
8, 15, 22, 29 January
5, 12 February
(Half term 19 February)
26 February
5, 12, 19, 26 March
2 April
Topics include:
The equipment: what is and is not necessary. Art shops and sweet shops: knowing the difference
Mark making – the basic skill of using the brush correctly. The DNA of your finished painting
Tonal control. The critical aspect of your painting before you even get to colour
The important attributes of colour. Temperature, saturation, transparency, etc.
Palette management. A whole world in a limited space
Preparing a canvas.
Painting strategies: completing paintings both in stages and alla prima (“all at once”)
Making studies from a variety of reference materials including photographs, prepared images and still life.
Basic materials for the Introduction to Oil Painting Course with Nataliya Zozulya
Oil:
Sufficient amount of Titanium or Zinc White (200ml tube), Ivory Black, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Yellow or Gold Ochre, Red Ochre Transparent, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Oxide of Chromium Green, Viridian, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmiums: Red and Yellow.
(Winsor&Newton Artist’s range is good. Their student version is suitable however they have less colour pigment in them)
Surfaces:
Several artist’s boards, canvas boards or canvases (white gesso primed)
18x14inches
16x12 inches
14x10inches
Brushes:
Range of good quality hog long filberts and flats from number 6 to 12
Solvents:
Low Odour for the lessons, turpentine or white spirit if you prefer at home. Please do not bring turps or white spirit to the classroom.
Jam jar with lid for washing your brushes during work
Linseed oil
Palettes:
Rectangular or oval medium wooden or firm plastic palette (white plastic is good)
size appr 37x23cm (see links below)
Palette knife:
eg Winsor&Newton palette knife N21 or N22
Plenty of rags or kitchen towel, old shirt or apron to protect clothing (or wear old clothes)
Drawing paper pad A3 size (for notes and some sketching), 2B pencils, eraser.
Option for plein air: Portable easel or Pochade Box with tripod sold separately (You can carry paints in pochade box and some of them include a palette. Some boxes can be quite expensive, but if you are planning to stick with your painting and try to paint both indoors and en plein air, they are useful).
You might find these links useful:
Introduction to Oil Painting with Nataliya Zozulya: Twelve week Spring Term programme
8 January: Working on the silhouette
painting dark objects against light background. Still life
15 January: Domestic still life with drapes and patterns
Working on composition in preliminary sketches. Importance of good drawing, underpainting and learning how to paint patterns.
22 January: Second session of Domestic still life
Using glazing and scumbling to deepen the colours and soften the edges of the objects.
29 January: Waterscape using reference image
Drawing boats, shores and reflection. Understanding of never static world of outdoors.
5 February: Working on the silhouette
Painting light objects against dark background trying to create harmony of subtle opaque tints unified by light. Working on imprimatura.
Still life
12 Febuary: Winter landscape using reference image
Learning how to use palette knife in directly applying of pigment on support. Working wet-into-wet – technique involves adding fresh layers of colour to paint that is still wet. Limited colour palette.
19 February: Half Term
26 February: Still life with flowers
Alla prima painting using color-blocking approach. Masses in colour blocks directly and uses little of underdrawing.
5 March: Still life with antique cast head in interior.
Concentrating on the composition, good underdrawing and proportions.
Using grisaille technique at the beginning.
12 March: Second session on the Still life with antique cast head in interior.
Working on details. Learning how to unite them into tonal masses to create depth on the canvas.
19 March: Still life under very bright light.
Using limited palette following traditions of the Renaissance painters. Learning how and when to create soft and sharp edges.
26 March: Landscape
Composition, choosing subjects; alla prima on the toned support. Painting outdoor (weather permitting) or from reference.
2 April: Interior. Creating depth using knowledge of perspective.
Focusing on the changing light and transition from warmth of the foreground to the cool colours on the background.
The tutor may change the program due to weather conditions or similar circumstances.
Please contact us with any questions