Introduction to Oil Painting 4 Week Course Fall 2024

Ages:  15 and older
Date: Mondays 10/14 - 11/4
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Cost: $210
Location: Rumriver Art Center (north studio suite 108)
Teacher: Madison Nelmark

This class is designed for students who have never worked in oil paint before or artists looking to expand their skill set. By the end of the course students will have the basic knowledge and skills to introduce oil painting into their personal practice. In each class students will focus on rendering one object of their choice on a small canvas (approx. 4” x 4”), with the object changing each week. Every day will begin with a demonstration and explanation of some of the “chemistry” and techniques that go into oil painting. Some other topics that will be discussed include: how to stretch and prime your own canvas, how to make your own oil paint, how to varnish a painting, and acrylic underpainting. After the introduction
and demonstration, students will be able to work freely to experiment with the medium and get assistance from the instructor.
Madison is a self proclaimed nerd about oil painting and loves questions so please come to this class with any and all questions you may have regarding oil painting!

Week One:
Discuss the use/safety of solvent and linseed oil, color theory, and properties of oil paint (discuss translucency of pigments and binders, ‘muddy’ colors) and how to start your under painting and apply first marks of paint.
Work Time still life #1, experiment with the medium, paint ground on 2 other canvases for following weeks
Week Two:
Importance of gessoing and how to finish gessoed surfaces differently. Go over alternative painting techniques: dry brushing, alla prima, and glazing.
Work time still life #2, gesso a canvas for the next classes painting
Week Three:
Benefits of making your own stretchers and canvases. How to stretch your own canvas .
Work Time, still life painting #3
Week Four:
Discuss varnishing, demo on how to make your own oil paint.
Work Time, students can come and try to mix their own paint during this time  This class is great for older kids, great for adults, great for the whole family!