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Oil Painting Classes NYC

Unleash your inner artist with a wide range of oil painting classes in NYC! Learn foundational techniques, express your creativity, and create stunning works of art that will leave you feeling accomplished and inspired.

14 classes have spots left

Oil Painting for Absolute Beginners

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of oil painting. Unleash your creativity and learn the fundamental techniques of oil painting at the prestigious 92nd Street Y. Discover the magic of this sumptuous medium and unleash your artistic potential in a supportive and inspiring environment.

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
$355

7 sessions

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Oil Painting (Intermediate/Advanced)

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Take your oil painting skills to the next level at 92Y's painting studios. Challenge yourself with advanced techniques and concepts as you create captivating works of art. Elevate your artistic voice and expand your repertoire in this intermediate/advanced class.

(1060) Intermediate 18 and older
$595

14 sessions

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Oil Painting (Beginner/Intermediate)

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Discover the enchanting world of oil painting as you learn to mix colors, create depth, and add luminosity to your artwork. Unleash your creativity and explore different textures and surfaces in this captivating course at 92nd Street Y. Prerequisite: Oil Painting for Absolute Beginners.

(1060) Intermediate 18 and older
$355

7 sessions

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Beginner Oil Painting for Adults

Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo @ 98 Water St, Brooklyn, NY

Discover the joy of oil painting as you unleash your creativity on canvas. Join us at the renowned Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo for an intensive course that will equip you with the essential techniques and skills needed to create stunning oil paintings. Whether you're a total beginner or an intermediate artist, this class offers a supportive environment for all levels.

(179) Beginner 18 and older

Getting Started with Oil Painting

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Discover the world of oil painting in a supportive and educational environment. Dip your toe into this complex medium and decide if it's the right fit for you. All supplies are provided at no additional cost.

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
$195

4 sessions

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Dare to Paint: Beginners Oil Painting

The Art Studio NY @ 243 W 72nd St , New York, NY

Unleash your creativity with expert guidance in the vibrant world of oil painting. Join a supportive community of learners and discover the joy of expressing yourself through art. Experience the thrill of mastering essential techniques while creating pieces to adorn your home.

(630) Beginner 18 and older
$449

9 sessions

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Beginner Oil Painting for Teens

Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo @ 98 Water St, Brooklyn, NY

Unlock your creativity and explore the world of oil painting in this introductory class for teens. Learn professional techniques, color mixing, and application methods to create stunning and unique artwork. Whether you're a beginner or have some painting experience, this course is perfect for aspiring artists looking to develop their skills and express their artistic vision.

(179) Beginner 12 - 17 years old

Figure: Painting the Model in Costume, with a Focus on Portrait

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Immerse yourself in the world of historical dress and evoke emotion through painting the human figure in costume. Develop your understanding of light and shadow, warm and cool colors, and create lifelike portraits with accurate and three-dimensional facial features. Join us for a transformative art experience at the New York School of the Arts.

(72) All levels 18 and older
$430

8 sessions

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Classical Painting Techniques

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Unlock the secrets of classical oil painting techniques in this comprehensive course at the prestigious New York School of the Arts. Discover the power of underpainting and grisaille, while honing your skills in composition, value, and color. Suitable for all levels, this course delves into the rich history of painting methods since the Renaissance.

(72) All levels 17 and older
$430

9 sessions

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Dare to Paint: Oil & Acrylic Painting for All Levels

The Art Studio NY @ 145 W 96th St, New York, NY

Unleash your creativity and explore the world of oil and acrylic painting with expert guidance at The Art Studio NY. Join us for an immersive experience that will ignite your passion for painting.

(630) All levels 18 and older
$649

11 sessions

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Painting: The Essential Elements

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Unleash your artistic potential through the exploration of oil paint at the renowned New York School of the Arts. Discover essential techniques such as canvas stretching, surface preparation, and brush cleaning, while immersing yourself in the language of painting. Historical examples and diverse approaches to working from life will inspire your creative journey.

(72) All levels 17 and older
$430

8 sessions

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Introduction to Painting Techniques

New York School of the Arts @ 315 E 62nd St, New York, NY

Discover the fundamentals of oil painting, from canvas preparation to color theory, at the prestigious New York School of the Arts. Immerse yourself in techniques taught by seasoned artists, take inspiration from museum visits, and receive personalized critiques to elevate your artwork to new heights.

(72) Beginner 17 and older
$300

8 sessions

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Soulful Cityscapes: Painting Your Urban Experience

New York School of the Arts @ Online Classroom, New York, NY

Embark on an artistic exploration, honing the craft of plein air oil painting to capture the vibrant essence of urban landscapes. Delve into diverse techniques tailored for outdoor work, mastering the art of simplifying the ever-changing cityscape using visual cues. With the option to create small sketches or embark on a multi-day masterpiece, this course, guided by Daniel's live demos and personalized critiques, welcomes all levels of artists, encouraging expression and mastery in painting the dynamic beauty of our urban environments.

(72) All levels 18 and older
$380

8 sessions

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East Village Studio Night | Lee Krasner

ArtsClub @ 311 E 3rd St, New York, NY

Discover the captivating life and work of Lee Krasner, the celebrated abstract painter from Brooklyn. Uncover her unique style and create your masterpiece in this immersive art experience. Don't miss the chance to explore the fascinating world of this influential artist.

(26) All levels 21 and older
62 oil painting classes that have ended
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Intuitive Color

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Using visualizations and intuition, we find a color palette to create a few paintings in either oil or acrylic. Through a series of class exercises, we color based on each student’s own style or focus. Oil and acrylic painters welcome. Oil and Acrylic painters welcomed Supply List: Three canvas or canvas boards 12 x 12 inches or larger Brushes suggested Brushes: #12 flat/ any other brushes you desire in this shape, #6 filbert/any other...

(1060) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$360

3 sessions

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Painting the Model in Costume

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Learn oil painting techniques while working from a costumed model present for every class. Study how to paint both the form of the model and clothing while developing a narrative. Explore techniques on how to render fabric as it drapes and conforms to the body, along with texture, light and shadow. For the Supply List, please CLICK HERE

(1060) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$569

12 sessions

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Oil Painting Intensive Seminar

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Learn the fundamentals of oil painting in this intensive course for beginner/intermediate students who are looking to build foundational painting skills. Learn how to render light, shadow, and shapes though simple objects, and then move onto painting a live model with an emphasis on portraiture. Students will leave with technical skills and confidence. Supply List: Basic supply – Pencils Pencil set (6B, 4B, 2B, B, HB, H, 2H are recommended)...

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$230

6 sessions

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Introduction to Oil Painting Intensive

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Explore the sumptuous, magical medium of oil. Learn the basics of how to work with oil paint, mix colors, set up a palette and paint what you see. Work from the still life and the figure, and paint in a supportive environment. One semester of Drawing is highly recommended.

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$345

3 sessions

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Painting Animals

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Immortalize your furry friend by creating a unique custom painting. Working from photos and images of your favorite animals, learn how to use acrylic or oil paint to capture hair, fur, feathers, scales and more. In this class you have the choice of Oil or Acrylic Painting. Feel free to bring images of animals- you can work from photos or images on your Ipad. The painting medium Gamsol will be provided by the Art Center. The cost of it is included...

(1060) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$228

6 sessions

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Color Workshop

92nd Street Y

Do you know what is in those fancy mixed colors you buy at the art store like Pthalo Blue, Flesh Tone, Quinachrodone Magenta, Raw Sienna, Sap Green, Mars Black? James Sheehan walks you through the color wheel to discuss the mixing, use and application of color for painting. This three-day workshop covers color theory and the history of color, as well as a chance to have fun mixing and applying theory to practice. Q&A Q: Can I make up...

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
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Reviews for Oil Painting Classes in NYC

Oil Painting Classes in NYC are rated 4.5 stars based on 1,967 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

  • Beginner Oil Painting for Adults

    Reviewed by Anna Z. on 2/6/2024
    Leysan is a wonderful, attentive instructor who made sure we had a great experience painting in oils for the first time!
  • Oil Painting for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 12/17/2023
    I loved the class, the teacher Andl keeps the class interesting and she doesn't push students to do her way, because she wants to see how much we know, our preferences, then later on she gives some advices how to improve our paintings.
  • Getting Started with Oil Painting

    Anonymous review on 12/6/2023
    Great beginner class- both fun and educational. The instructor was excellent.
  • Classical Painting Techniques

    Reviewed by Kate H. on 5/25/2023
    Had such a fantastic time in this class. Erik is a great teacher & the long format really allows you to explore… will be signing up for another soon!!!
  • Beginner Oil Painting for Adults

    Reviewed by Voula S. on 5/23/2023
    Loved everything about this! I dropped in for one class towards the end of the series. The direction was great, space was calm and inviting, and I left feeling relaxed. Exactly what I wanted, will be returning in the future!
  • Beginner Oil Painting for Adults

    Reviewed by Ina W. on 4/22/2020
    Great guidance!
  • Oil Painting (Beginner/Intermediate)

    Reviewed by Vivian L. on 10/1/2019
    It was the best class ever. I received a lot of one to one attention. I was able to rent a locker to keep my supplies. The class (mates) were supportive. I learned a lot of new skills. The location was easily accessible to public transportation. Although you can choose what you want to paint, the teacher provided other exercises if you choose (Like still life, etc.) .
  • Classical Painting Techniques

    Reviewed by Michalina H. on 7/30/2019
    I feel like I learnt a lot. The teacher can be quite tough but fair. I will join for new classes in the future to continue my learning path in painting.
  • Intuitive Color

    Reviewed by sheng tzu t. on 7/17/2019
    Melissa is super gentle and patient! So glad to be in her class!
  • Getting Started with Oil Painting

    Anonymous review on 5/17/2018
    very good!

Discover the Best Oil Painting Classes in NYC

The use of oil colors has been traced back to the 7th century CE to a cave in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. In 11th-century Europe, people began painting with oil colors. It was not until the 15th century, however, that easel painting with oil colors emerged. Over time, the practice of oil painting was refined by various artists. Paints and solvents were improved, and styles were developed. 

Oil painting is one of the most respected painting processes in the fine arts and has become incredibly popular. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, and Grant Wood’s American Gothic are all well-known and well-loved oil paintings. Oil paintings are notoriously long-lasting, fading much slower than other artworks. This, along with their prestigious place in history, makes them highly sought after by collectors. 

Oil painting is characterized by its long drying time and the versatility of the oil paints used in the process. The paints themselves are a mixture of powdered pigment and drying oil. The oil acts as a binder and affects the color of the paint. Linseed oil is the most popular oil used, however, there are a variety of choices, all of which will impact the consistency of the paint. Oil paints are thicker and heavier than other types of paint such as watercolor. 

Why You Should Learn Oil Painting in NYC

Oil painting is a great painting process to learn for both experienced painters and beginners. The use of oil paints can seem intimidating with no prior experience but is actually an easier painting method for beginners compared to others like acrylic or watercolor. This is because of its characteristically slow drying time and opacity. These features make it easier to correct your mistakes as you work. 

The process of oil painting involves layering the oil paint repeatedly. When using a layered painting technique, you need to ensure that the previous layer is dry enough before adding the next layer. This will ensure that the previous layer does not dissolve. A great deal of patience is thus required when working with oil paints, making this a great hobby for anyone looking to work on their patience or partake in a very focused art activity. 

Painting is a great activity to work on regulating your emotions. Whether used specifically as a therapeutic hobby or not, painting has been found to help alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, working toward creating your own finished art piece helps boost confidence and self-esteem. Oil painting is also great for exercising your imagination and creativity, as you decide what your project will look like and work on correctly determining the color mixtures that should be used for your piece. 

Oil painting is a highly rewarding activity. It is a highly respected painting process by those in the fine arts and even has gained an appreciation among those outside of the arts thanks to the well-known oil paintings that have been created and lauded throughout history. If you have developed an interest in oil painting and are concerned with the preservation of these timeless pieces, consider looking into Oil Painters of America, an organization dedicated to the preservation of representational art. 

In-Person Oil Painting Classes & Schools in NYC

In-person oil painting classes are offered across New York City and surrounding areas. In-person classes are taught by expert instructors who can give you individualized feedback and offer detailed demonstrations. Taking an in-person oil painting class in NYC is a great way to learn the basics of oil painting, including safely working with materials like solvents and oils. 

Creatively Wild Art Studio in Brooklyn offers a beginner class in oil painting for adults. In this class, Oil Painting I, you will learn the basics of working with oil paints. Your instructor will walk you through the process of creating an original finished oil painting. If you decide you would like to work on smaller pieces in this class, you have the opportunity of finishing multiple paintings. Oil paint is notoriously slow drying but thankfully this studio will allow you to leave your work there until the course has ended. 

This studio also offers an introductory oil painting class for teenagers, aged 12 through 17. The instructor will teach them the basics of color mixing and the techniques used to apply oil paints to canvas. Like participants in the adult introductory oil painting class, teens in this class will work on a piece of their choosing. 

Paint Makers Notes in Long Island City, New York also offers a basic class in oil painting. Oil Paint Making - Basics teaches you how to create your own oil paint. This is a great course if you’re interested in color theory and the process of working with raw materials. You’ll leave this class with 5 tubes of your own custom handmade paint. 

Nearby One River School, in Englewood, New Jersey, offers a close look at master oil painting techniques in their Adult Focus on Painting class. A professional artist will serve as your instructor, providing you with one-on-one instruction in underpainting, glazing, chiaroscuro, palette knife painting, and action painting. This interactive class allows you to work on a subject of your choice, including a portrait or landscape. 

Virtual Oil Painting Classes & Schools

Virtual classes are a great way to receive expert instruction in oil painting if in-person classes are not accessible for you. Online oil painting classes are taught by studios and schools around the US. They focus on different oil painting techniques and styles while allowing you to work on a variety of projects, from abstract to realism art. The online delivery of the course eliminates the commute that would be necessary to take an in-person class, allowing you to take the course from anywhere. 

All oil painting classes require materials like paint and canvas. In-person classes will typically provide most materials, but virtual classes do not. A detailed supply list will be provided by your instructor before your session. These items may be purchased from a local art or craft store. If any items are difficult to find, consider looking for a specialty shop in your area or look for an online storefront. 

There are a few online oil painting classes available for students to take from the comfort of their own home studios. Pastimes for Life offers several painting classes focused on different mediums. These beginner and intermediate-level classes allow you to learn the basics of oil painting and watercolor. The oil painting-focused class teaches participants the basics of color theory, an important aspect to working on an oil painting. A water-soluble oil painting class is also available where you can learn how to create your own non-toxic water-soluble paint. 

If you’re interested in taking a multi-medium painting class and are at the intermediate level, Abstract Painting is offered by the Richmond Art Center. You will learn how to create your own abstract painting using the paint tupe you would prefer to use, including oil paint. 

The Art Studio NY hosts Dare to Paint, an advanced-level class where you can explore using acrylic and oil paint for advanced painting techniques. Your instructor will guide you through your exploration of paint application, texture, and depth. This class allows you to choose your own subject, whether it is still life or abstract. Close one-on-one instruction and individualized real-time feedback are available to you in this remote class.

Private Group Oil Painting Classes in NYC

Is your group of friends looking for a fun weekend activity? Or is your business or organization looking to schedule an oil painting class as a team-building event? Whatever your group’s needs are, CourseHorse offers online painting classes for private groups in NYC that they can deliver to you. 

There are several virtual watercolor courses available for your group to take. One in particular, the Virtual Watercolor Workshop, focuses on teaching your group the techniques of modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe. These techniques will be useful in creating your own landscape piece inspired by O’Keeffe’s famous work. 

In the interactive watercolor workshops that CourseHorse offers, you and your group will learn the basics of watercolor painting. Your group can count on it being a relaxing learning experience as you create watercolors on the subject of your group’s choosing. If your group would prefer to learn the basics of painting with acrylics, a private Virtual Acrylic Painting class is also available through CourseHorse. If your group is looking to take a class that uses oil colors, you can reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to learn about oil painting classes. 

Each online class requires materials like paint, brushes, and paper or canvas. CourseHorse supplies participants with all these items ahead of your class. CourseHorse can accommodate a large number of people in each class, but if you’re not sure of your exact group size, you can update your headcount up to a week before your class. There are no booking fees with CourseHorse and they allow free cancellations up to two weeks before your class. 

CourseHorse recommends using Zoom, but they can also accommodate other platforms like Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. 

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