This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Course details
A thorough introduction to this versatile and accessible medium: learn simple and dynamic approaches to painting with oils, responding to landscape and working from still life.
Ideal if you are a newcomer to oils, we have designed this self-paced course to give you the tips and tools you need to get started, from preparing your materials to executing your work. The course is structured in chronological order, ensuring that each concept builds on the previous one, making it easier to grasp and apply the techniques progressively.
This course will provide you with an extensive understanding of how to paint with oils. Throughout the lessons, Greg refers to the work of other artists to illustrate key themes of colour and mark making, still life and landscapes and shares his twenty or so years worth of painting experience throughout.
The course offers a step-by-step approach with over four hours of high-definition instructional films, organised into bite-sized, easy-to-watch segments. It includes demonstrations and exercises to complete at each stage, helping you build confidence in using oils.
Explore different methods of applying oil paint to enhance your understanding of how it behaves as a medium. You will gain insight into how swapping a brush for other painting tools can have as much impact on the mood and tone of a piece as colour can.
When it comes to colour, you will initially concentrate on building palettes using primary and secondary colours. Then you will move on to learning how to create your own colour palettes inspired by a still life set up and landscape. You will develop a keener eye for what to record when out sketching and be confident in mixing the colours you need back home.
With six months of access, you will have ample time to learn at your own pace, absorb the material, and practice the exercises. It will serve as an excellent foundation for your ongoing journey into oil painting.
‘What I love about this course… Teaching people how to use the oil paint and that aha moment they get when they create something that for them is beautiful’ Greg Humphries.
Course Content
This is a self-paced course consisting of five core chapters to set you up to paint with confidence.
Within these chapters are bite sized videos that will take you through the oil painting process step by step. A total of over 4 hours of instructional videos, to set you up on your oil painting journey.
Chapters include:
Setting Up: Introduction to the course, including information on brushes and knives, types of supports, painting mediums, and workspace setup.
Colour and Marks: Discover the painting palettes and mark-making techniques of other artists, and explore the lessons on colour mixing, mark-making and various oil painting techniques.
Still Life Painting: Explore how various artists depict still life, along with lessons on painting grounds, setting up a still life, colour mixing, using a viewfinder, planning a painting, and painting techniques.
Working en Plein Air: Charcoal drawing techniques and ideas for working en plein air, including preliminary sketching with watercolour pencils and a bonus video on using a pochade box.
Landscape Painting: Explore how artists interpret landscapes in their artwork, demonstrations on mixing a colour palette for landscape, expressive painting methods, strategies for planning and completing a painting.
What you will get out of this course
- An understanding of the properties of oil paint so you can have more control of the paint and get the effect you want.
- Confidence in colour mixing so you can develop your own personal palettes that you can recreate rather than rely on guesswork.
- The skills to develop paintings from drawing studies.
- The ability to put together your own oil painting kit and the knowledge to get the most out of it.
- Confidence in using a variety of tools and techniques to get a range of marks and effects. This will help you create paintings that are interesting and striking.
Who would this course suit?
Whether you are a complete beginner in oil paints or would like to build your confidence working with them, this course is a wonderful starting point.
Taught by
FAQs
Online Art Courses
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
Do I need a webcam/any equipment?
For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.
For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.
All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.
I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link
You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact [email protected]. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.
I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?
Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.
Studio Courses
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
How do I get my work home?
Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.
For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.
What do I need to bring?
Absolutely nothing! All materials and aprons are provided although some people do like to bring their own set of brushes.
What do I do for lunch?
Courses allow an hour’s break for lunch and there are numerous places nearby or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch into the studio.
What times do courses run?
Most of our courses start at 10am and end at 4.30pm on the first day. Subsequent days we start at 9.30am ending at 4pm.
Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices.
If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and on the website.
Booking a Course
How can I reserve a place?
We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.
You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.
About St Ives
Where do I park?
The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon Long Stay Car Park, both a 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at Trenwith Car Park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.
How do I get there?
Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.
Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.
Where can I stay?
St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.
You might also like...
Ink, Paint + Paper
Steven Buckler
Learn how to create atmospheric art works on paper, in response to the wild landscape above Zennor, using acrylic inks and paint.
Figure - Form, Shape + Colour (rec)
Camilla Dixon
Learn how to extract the essence of the figure from life and onto paper, with simple guided exercises working from a live model.
Introduction to Matisse - Pattern + Illusion
Alice Mumford
In this 2 part course led by artist Alice Mumford, learn how Matisse used pattern to create the illusion of three dimensions and immerse yourself in the joy of looking and painting in oils.
Unpicking Paintings (rec)
Alice Mumford
Do you sometimes wonder why a composition works in some paintings and not so well in others? Join Alice Mumford to investigate the common themes that underpin paintings from different eras in Western Art and how this can help your work.
Figure - Inspired by Matisse
Alice Mumford
Join us and enjoy a recording of our wonderful two hour online figure class inspired by the work of artist Henri Matisse looking at energetic line, pattern and form.
Experimental Drawing + Collage
Kitty Hillier
Enjoy creating experimental and abstract compositions inspired by your everyday surroundings in this recording.
Figure - The Folded Line
Tom Rickman
Join artist Tom Rickman for this exploration of folded material on the human form. Working from a model learn how drapery not only covers or reveals but animates and extends the body in this online webinar.