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.
Would you like to start painting with oils but don’t know how to begin? Have you tried in the past but found it too complicated?
Oil paint has been popular for hundreds of years and a wealth of painting traditions have built up, which can sometimes make the technical side seem overwhelming. However it is an incredibly versatile painting medium and the key is to understand the basics and use them according to your own interests.
By working from direct observation and copying, students learn how to choose colours, mix and apply them to different surfaces, using various techniques and styles.
It is possible to learn how to paint in oils and have fun!
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.
The principles and skills introduced in this course have universal relevance in the visual arts and can be directly applied to other painting mediums such as acrylics.
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: