Discover the Best Oil Painting Classes Near Me
Working with oil colors has been traced as far back as the 7th century CE to a cave in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Painting with oil colors, however, has only been dated back to 11th century Europe, while easel painting with oil colors emerged in the 15th century. Oil painting is now highly respected in the arts and incredibly popular among fine artists. Well-known artists who worked with oil paints include Leonardo da Vinci, Diego Velázquez, and Peter Paul Rubens.
The paints used to oil paint are a mixture of powdered pigments and drying oil, which acts to bind them. The type of oil used in oil-based paint affects the color of the paint. Common oils used as binders include poppyseed oil and linseed oil. Oil paints are thicker and heavier than other types of paint such as watercolor. As such, they take a long time to dry but fade much more slowly than other artworks.
Why You Should Learn Oil Painting
Oil painting is a great hobby to pick up, whether you are an experienced painter or a beginner. It can be an intimidating style for beginners, but oil painting is considered an easier painting method than others like acrylic or watercolor thanks to its characteristically slow drying time and opacity.
Oil painting takes a large degree of patience. The technique used when painting with oil colors requires the building up of layers over and over. This instills a level of patience in the painter, making it an ideal hobby for anyone looking to start a craft requiring a degree of fine attention to detail and single-minded focus.
Painting more generally is considered a great exercise in regulating your emotions. When using it as a therapeutic hobby, painting has been found to alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety, while also boosting confidence and self-esteem. This is in part due to the level of attention required when painting along with the use of your imagination and the creativity that’s required when working on a piece.
Oil painting is a highly rewarding craft. Working with oil paints is highly respected by those in the fine arts and some of the most famous paintings in the world are oil paintings. Whether you engage in oil painting seriously or as a fun hobby, you’ll end up creating a piece of art with the potential to last several hundred years in good condition.
5 Ways to Learn Oil Painting
Despite the popular belief that oil painting is difficult, it’s actually a perfect style of painting for beginners. Oil painting allows you to constantly adjust your work and fix any mistakes you might make. The variety of mediums that may be used with oil paints also means that you can modify the drying time yourself.
If you’re a beginner, don’t be intimidated by the prospect of starting out with oil paints. Consider one of the following methods to help you get started:
- Take an in-person, formal oil painting class with an instructor. An in-person class allows you to gain hands-on experience with oil painting. In-person classes will also likely include the needed materials, so you don’t have to worry about buying too many tools and materials right away.
- Sign up to take a live online class in oil painting from the comfort of your home or office. Live online classes are taught by instructors through an online video platform, typically to small groups of remote learners. Some materials may be provided, but, if they’re not, the instructor will provide you with a list of the needed materials that you may purchase online or at a local craft shop.
- Use a self-paced, on-demand class available for free online. These videos are widely accessible, making them easy to follow in your spare time. Because they are in a video format, you will be unable to get feedback or clarification like you would with a live class.
- Check out a book on oil painting at your local library or bookstore. Books are a great resource for learning a new hobby and will oftentimes include pictures to guide you along.
- Find an online guide from a fellow oil painter. Artists love to share their methods and trials and errors with others looking to learn. There are many free guides online that can help you find the right tools for your project and offer tips and tricks to beginner, intermediate, or even advanced oil painters.
In-Person Oil Painting Classes
In-person oil painting classes are offered across the US. These classes are a great way to get started on your oil painting journey. They are taught by expert instructors who can answer your questions and ensure that you are safely working with oil paints.
Oil Painting I: Beginner Steps for Adults at Creatively Wild Art Studio in Brooklyn, New York teaches you the essentials to working with oil paints. Over the course of the class, you’ll work alongside an instructor to create an original finished painting. Subjects of all types may be used for inspiration as the instructor guides you through painting a realist or abstract piece. For anyone making smaller pieces, multiple paintings may be worked on during the course. This studio understands that your work will take a few days to dry and will allow you to leave your work there until the end of the course syllabus.
Creatively Wild Art Studio also offers Teens: Beginner Oil Painting. This class is for 12 through 17-year-olds interested in learning the basics of oil painting. Like the adult-level class, teens in this course will work on creating a realist or abstract piece. The instructor will provide hands-on instruction to participants as they learn about color mixing and application techniques.
More oil painting fundamentals can be learned in Oil Paint Making—Basics at Paint Makers Notes in Long Island City, New York. This class focuses on the making of oil paint. Participants will leave the class with 5 tubes of their own custom handmade paint and an understanding of how to handle, store, and dispose of raw materials.
Understanding safe handling practices when creating your own paints is essential for any new oil painter. Luckily, Pastimes for a Lifetime in Van Nuys, California offers Water-Soluble Oils 401. Water-soluble oil colors dry more quickly than traditional oil paints and are non-toxic. This class will teach you the basics of mixing water-soluble oil colors while you work on your own Grisaille or tonal painting.
Families can look forward to the Weekly Oil Painting/Drawing (Adults & Teens) class offered by The Art Studio in Westminster, California. Professional artists will guide you through a small, medium, or large project. You have the option of deciding your project size, medium, and subject. This class is great for families looking to work on projects together or anyone looking for a class that promotes socialization and collaboration.
Another open-project class is Paint Anythingat Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California. Beginner-level participants will learn the method of using multiple painting mediums, like acrylic and oil paints or watercolor and gouache paints. Anyone taking the class again can explore a new method of painting each week, including spray paint, enamel, and collage.
If the idea of learning both oil and acrylic painting appeals to you, the Art School of SF Bay in San Jose, California offers a two-week class in Oil & Acrylic Painting. Over the course of the class, participants will dive into various methods of acrylic and oil painting. The oil painting portion of the class will teach you how to prime your canvas, the differences in working on each layer of your oil painting, and glazing.
Virtual Oil Painting Classes
In-person classes are a great way to receive hands-on instruction in oil painting, witness demonstrations, and socialize with other oil painters. In-person classes aren’t always accessible, however. Virtual classes are luckily available for anyone who can’t take an in-person class in oil painting. These virtual classes are taught around the country and focus on a variety of oil painting techniques, methods, and projects. They can be attended from anywhere, including your own home or office, so long as you have an internet connection.
Virtual classes often require participants to supply their own materials, including paints and canvases. Your instructor will provide you with a materials list and may even recommend online storefronts you can use to purchase your supplies. You also have the option of visiting a local art shop or craft store to fulfill your supply list. There are a few online oil painting classes available for you to take on CourseHorse.
Abstract Painting is a multi-medium painting class for intermediate-level painters offered by the Richmond Art Center. In this class, your live instructor will guide you through the creation of an abstract painting over Zoom. You have the opportunity to use your preference in paint when working on your piece, including oil.
More advanced painters may be interested in The Art Studio NY’s Dare to Paint class. Participants will explore acrylic or oil painting as they practice techniques like paint application, texture, and depth. Projects may be based on a variety of subjects, including realist, abstract, impressionist, or still life. This class looks to push your boundaries of expression through one-on-one instruction and real-time feedback while allowing you to relax and unwind in a non-judgmental online space.
Pastimes for Life offers several painting classes, ranging from beginner oil painting to intermediate watercolor painting. In the oil painting-focused classes, participants can choose to learn how to create their own non-toxic water-soluble paint or learn the basics of color theory as they practice color mixing in an oil pastel class.
Private Group Oil Painting Classes
Are you looking to schedule an oil painting class as a team-building event for your business or organization? Maybe you have a group of friends looking for a fun weekend activity. CourseHorse offers private painting classes they can deliver to you.
CourseHorse currently has several virtual watercolor courses available for your group to take, including a Virtual Watercolor Workshop focused on the techniques of modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe. In these interactive classes, you and your group will learn the foundations of watercolor painting. You’ll spend the relaxing class working on creating a watercolor based on the subject of your group’s choosing. A private Virtual Acrylic Painting class is also available through CourseHorse for groups looking to practice using acrylic paints.
If none of these options work for your group, or, if you’re looking to take a class that uses oil colors, no worries. Your group can reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn about what other classes they can provide for your group.
CourseHorse supplies participants with all necessary supplies ahead of their session. This includes paints, brushes, and paper or canvas, depending on the course you choose. A large number of participants can be accommodated in these workshops. If you’re not sure of your exact group size, your group size can be updated up to a week before your class. There are no booking fees and cancellations are free up to two weeks before the class.
CourseHorse supports several online video platforms. Although they recommend using Zoom, they can also accommodate Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx.
What Will I Need to Learn Oil Painting?
Before you begin oil painting, you’ll need to gather a few materials and tools. Most of these supplies can be found at your local art or hobby store. If you’re having trouble finding any supplies locally, be sure to check online specialty stores. If you’re taking an in-person oil painting class most of these materials will likely be provided for you while the materials you must supply yourself will be listed by your instructor.
Oil Paint
There’s a wide variety of oil paints available, all ranging in color and quality. You can’t go wrong with any of the major brands, although it is recommended that you avoid low-quality student paints. Starter kits tend to include the “essential” oil colors like titanium white, cadmium red, cadmium yellow light, and ultramarine blue. If you choose to purchase a starter kit, you may also find it useful to have smaller tubes of less essential colors.
Water-soluble oil paints are an option if you’re looking to avoid using any hazardous solvents when painting because of allergies or other sensitivities. These paints can be thinned with water and cleaned with soap and water instead of paint solvent.
Paint Brushes
You don’t need too many brushes when starting out painting with oil colors. What’s more important is the type of brushes you buy. Brush type can affect your ability to create fine lines. Additionally, different brushes will be more comfortable to use than others.
Consider buying hog bristle or other firm bristle brushes in each of the following types: one medium fan brush, one large flat brush, several small or medium filbert brushes and flat brushes, and one medium-sized round brush. If you choose to buy a pack of brushes, the packaging will tell you if they are suitable for oil painting.
Paint Solvent
Paint solvent is used by oil painters to break down the oil in your paint. This is done to dilute the paint so you may then tone a canvas, increase the fluidity of your painting by removing clumps, and speed up drying time. They’re also used to clean brushes. A variety of solvents are available, but odorless ones are recommended to prevent reactions in those with allergies or asthma.
Drying Oil
Drying oils are added to oil paints to change their consistency. Linseed oil is the most popular oil used in oil painting. It will thin your paint, making your painting more fluid. Other popular oils include poppy oil, which is ideal for wet-into-wet painting, and walnut oil, which adds a rich, silken texture to paints.
Palette
A palette is needed to mix your colors. You can use a disposable palette for easy cleanup.
Palette Knives
Palette knives are used to mix the paint on your palette and apply textured strokes to your canvas. This is one way to add texture to your work. You will want palette knives that are both firm and flexible. Avoid plastic palette knives which aren’t typically durable enough to handle adding paint to a canvas.
Canvas
Canvases are the most common surfaces used for oil paintings. These can be bought in a variety of sizes and in packs. The size of your project should be considered before purchasing a canvas.
Easel
You will need an easel to hold your artwork while you work on it. These help you maintain good posture when working and allow for the full rotation of your arms and hands. The type of easel you use will depend on how you paint and the medium you are using. Convertible easels used in the upright position are common among oil painters.
Is It Difficult to Learn Oil Painting?
Oil painting is an art that takes a lot of patience and creativity, but it’s ideal for beginning painters that take the time to learn the fundamentals. An instructor can walk you through starting your oil painting journey, from preparing your canvas to mixing your own paints. After a bit of practice and time, you’ll have created a piece of art in what’s considered a timeless medium.
