Well Oiled - 4 week block of classes

Well Oiled - 4 week oil painting class

A 4-Week Fast Track into loose, expressive Oil Painting

DATES: Wednesdays 23rd, 30th September, 7th, 14th October 
VENUE: Craigie Village Hall, KA1 5LY 
TIME: 10am - 12 noon

Forget muddy colour, overworked paintings and endless faffing.

Well Oiled is a practical, lively introduction to using oil paint with more confidence, freedom and understanding.

Oil painting does have a few definite rules, but once you know the basics, it becomes one of the most flexible and forgiving materials you can use.

Over four weeks, we’ll explore the essential building blocks of oil painting — from quick, loose sketches and coloured underpaintings to layering, texture, palette-knife work and adding those final details without tightening everything up.

You’ll work fromreference photographs of your own choice — landscapes, seascapes, skies, still life, florals, portraits or anything else that interests you.

This block is not about everyone painting the same thing in the same style. It’s about learninghow to use oil paint well, so you can apply the techniques to your own work.

What we’ll cover

Week 1 — Sketching with Oils

We’ll begin by taking the pressure off and using oils quickly and loosely.

You’ll explore shape, tone, colour and composition using brushes, rags and fingers — drawing, wiping back, moving paint around and keeping everything fresh.

No precious masterpieces. Just plenty of paint, experimentation and confident decision-making.

Week 2 — Underpainting on Coloured Grounds

We’ll explore how different coloured grounds can affect the mood, atmosphere and energy of a painting.

You’ll work over warm, cool, dark and brighter backgrounds, allowing parts of the ground to remain visible and become part of the finished piece.

Week 3 — Working Thin to Thick

One of the key principles of oil painting.

We’ll look at building a painting from loose, thinner layers into richer, more opaque paint — creating depth, interest and movement without turning everything to mud.

We'll also cover a bit of colour mixing this week.

Week 4 — Palette Knife, Texture & Detail

We’ll bring in palette knives, thicker paint and bolder marks to build texture and energy ... there might even be a hint of cold wax ;)

You’ll also learn how to add detail selectively, without losing all the lovely loose work underneath.

This week is about knowing what to add, what to leave alone and when to step away.

Water-Mixable or Traditional Oils?

I’ll be demonstrating withwater-mixable oil paints, but everything covered works equally well with traditional oils.

You’re very welcome to use whichever type you prefer.

Materials

A full materials list will be sent outtwo weeks before the block begins.

You’ll need:

• Oil-painting paper
• Oil paints — all recommended colours will be included in the materials list
• Synthetic brushes
• Rags
• A palette or disposable paper palettes

You can also order a complete set of water-mixable oil paints from me for £30 — exactly the set and colours I use in class   your ordered paints will be ready for you at the first class - you'll receive a link to buy in your full materials list.

What to expect

• Clear, practical guidance without being over-directed.
• Plenty of demonstrations and hands-on experimentation.
• Freedom to work from your own choice of subject matter.
• Supportive, relaxed teaching with no pressure to be perfect.

This isnot a quiet, traditional oil-painting class where everyone carefully copies the same bowl of fruit.

Classes will be lively, practical, challenging and fun.

If you want to understand oil paint better, loosen up and start creating richer, fresher and more confident work,Well Oiled is for you.

Suitable for complete beginners, artists moving into oils from another medium and more experienced painters who want to refresh their technique ... and anyone who LOVES oils and enjoys a fabulous art community.