Oil Painting for Beginners

With Clair F. Maier

6 Tuesdays: Oct 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17 | 2-4 PM

Have you ever wanted to learn painting with oils, but never knew where to begin? This 6-week workshop is for you! We’ll cover oil painting essentials and get you started on your first painting! If you've previously taken a workshop in oils that failed to cover the basics, you might benefit from this beginner approach. Please note that this is not a "paint and sip" experience--this is an intensive 6-week course designed to prepare you for painting with oils on your own. The focus will be on learning a new skill rather than completing a painting during the 6-week session.

Instructor Clair Maier, with a BA in Studio Art from Saint Vincent College, will teach basic concepts of oil painting, including:

Prepping a canvas
Setting up a palette
Choosing brushes
Mixing colors
Working with painting mediums
Creating an underpainting
Layering wet and dry paint
Proper brush cleaning and maintenance
Value, color, composition, and color temperature will also be discussed.

Class time will range from short instruction and brief exercises to sessions of working on individual projects. Clair asks that you email her at least 3 different photos you might like to use as a reference for your painting by Oct 6. (No portraits or images of other artwork, please. Pets, animals, landscapes, sunsets, still lifes, and other simple subjects are best for a first painting.) She’ll help you select the best one to get you started successfully. Clair will also introduce basic principles of color temperature, value, proportions, and shading, and help you apply them to your particular project!

All materials are provided, and you’ll be given a set of supplies to keep! (You may wish to purchase additional materials after the first class, but no other materials will be necessary.) Taking the class again? Contact us to waive your materials fee.

Some experience in drawing is helpful, but not required. Come ready to learn and open to a new experience! Ages 18 and up. (Ages 14 and up are welcome when accompanied by a parent or supervising adult.)

Please Note:

Tuition is due with registration unless other arrangements are made. If you cancel 0-7 days before the class start date, we are able to refund your tuition ONLY if we can fill your space from our waitlist. We are not able to issue partial refunds or transfer your registration to another class. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we cannot refund your tuition once you have started the classes.
Oil Painting is a messy business! Please bring an apron or wear work clothes and closed shoes that can get dirty. Oil paints do not come out!
Bring a hair tie if you have long hair.
Leave your rings, smartwatches, and jewelry at home. Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.

Thank you for registering!

All workshops are held at Main Exhibit Gallery’s fully-accessible Art Center.

Entrance located at the lower level rear of the building at 301 West Main Street, Ligonier, PA.

For more information: 724-238-2310

Oil Painting For Beginners