The Oil Painting Process

A comprehensive, simplified look at how to build an oil painting, from substructure to varnish.

What you'll learn

How to create a stable, long-lasting oil painting.

The various support options plus their pros and cons.

Why sizing is necessary and how to apply it.

Clarity on the different types of gesso and how to apply each.

How to mount a canvas to board or panel.

Methods for creating a colored ground.

What an imprimatura is and how it’s beneficial.

Methods for applying an imprimatura layer.

Different approaches to an underdrawing.

Understanding of what oil paint is made of and how it dries.

Clarity of the fat-over-lean rule for layering.

Different ways to approach an underpainting.

How the upper layers of paint are related to creativity.

How several Masters approached the upper layers.

What varnish is and how to apply it.

Requirements

Students should have a very basic understanding of how oil paints work.

Description

“This is an amazing course…This course has filled in all the gaps of knowledge that we know exist but don't know where or how to find the answers. This is THE foundational course we have all wanted and searched for.“ - Josh F."I am using this as an addition to a University course and find that this is on par technically" - Wendy J."It is the best course I have ever taken. All the questions regarding painting have been presented." - AnnaThis is an extremely comprehensive 5-hour long online painting class with a focus on the construction of an oil painting and the process of layering paint rather than actual brushwork and design. To truly master oil painting, it’s important to have a strong foundation; to thoroughly understand your materials and their proper usage. You have to know how to build a sound substructure or base, and then apply the paints in such a way as to ensure decades of life for the painting.In this comprehensive course, students are taken step-by-step through topics such as supports, sizing, grounds, an imprimatura, the underdrawing, the underpainting, upper layers of paint, and varnish. Each layer is explained thoroughly and clearly, and then followed up with related demonstrations so that students can follow along.The goal is for:Students to come away with a clear understanding of oil painting materials and how to build a stable painting; To help those who felt intimidated by oil painting to feel that it’s approachable;Experienced painters who have gaps in their knowledge to gain a more thorough understanding.Includes over 40 student resources.

Overview

Section 1: How to Use the Course Tools

Lecture 1 How to Use the Course Tools (Optional)

Section 2: Introduction

Lecture 2 Taking This Course

Section 3: The Preparatory Layers

Lecture 3 Introduction to Supports

Lecture 4 Rigid Supports

Lecture 5 Flexible Supports

Lecture 6 Solid Wood Option

Lecture 7 Sizing

Lecture 8 Sizing Demonstration

Lecture 9 Mounting Canvas to Board or Panel

Lecture 10 Grounds

Lecture 11 Acrylic Ground Demonstration

Lecture 12 Oil Ground Demonstration

Lecture 13 Colored Ground Demonstration

Lecture 14 Imprimatura

Lecture 15 Imprimatura Demonstration

Section 4: Preparing for the Upper Layers

Lecture 16 The Underdrawing

Lecture 17 Underdrawing Demonstration

Lecture 18 Understanding Oil Paint

Lecture 19 Understanding Layering

Section 5: The Upper Layers

Lecture 20 The Underpainting

Lecture 21 Value Underpaintings

Lecture 22 Blocked Underpaintings

Lecture 23 The Upper Layers of Paint

Lecture 24 Upper Layer I - Value Demonstrations

Lecture 25 Upper Layer II - Value Demonstrations

Lecture 26 Upper Layer I - Blocked Demonstrations

Lecture 27 Upper Layer II - Blocked Demonstrations

Lecture 28 Upper Layers - Master Examples

Lecture 29 Varnish

Lecture 30 Final Review

Any level student who wants clarity in their understanding of the construction of an oil painting.