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Introduction to Oil Painting
Whether you're an art enthusiast eager to explore a new medium or a complete novice looking to embark on a creative journey, this course will provide you with a solid foundation in the techniques, tools, and principles of oil painting. You’ll also get the chance to engage in rich discussions with students from all over the world about your favorite artists and compositions.
The course begins with an exploration of the unique properties of oil paint, its history, and its advantages as a medium. You'll learn about different types of brushes, paints, and surfaces commonly used in oil painting. You'll then discover how to mix colors effectively and apply the basic rules of composition to your first paintings.
To strengthen your ability to see and mix colors, you'll create a painting with at least six tints of blue and white. To learn how complementary colors add vibrancy to your composition, you'll paint a canvas using red and green. You'll explore tools, such as viewfinders and thumbnails, to help you in the creative process, along with techniques for determining light sources. You'll then apply all that you have learned by setting, lighting, composing, and painting a still life.
Throughout this hands-on course, you will be guided step-by-step by an experienced instructor, allowing you to gain confidence, develop essential skills at a pace that works for you, and pave the way for further exploration and growth as an oil painter.
What you will learn:
✔ Mix oil paints and prepare a canvas for painting
✔ Discuss the history, advantages, and examples of oil painting
✔ Apply the five basic rules of composition to your paintings
✔ Create a viewfinder for any canvas that you will paint
✔ Draw thumbnail sketches to help you visualize your paintings
✔ Determine or set the light source for maximum impact on and consistency with your compositions
✔ Set, light, compose, and paint a still life
Join our visual arts classes online and take your skills to the next level.
Tuition
$299
Ages
Teens: Grades 6-12
Adult Learners: 18+
 | Receive expert guidance Learn from world-class faculty who provide personalized feedback |
 | Learn at your own pace Explore engaging video content and meaningful instruction |
 | Meet your instructor and classmates Join an optional weekly class to connect with other artists in real-time |
 | Practice and create Strengthen your craft over four weeks as you develop creative projects |
 | Find collaborators Collaborate on your projects—or just for fun—in direct messages and group chats |
- Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
- Oil paint in 37 mL tubes:
- Titanium White
- Cadmium Yellow Hue
- Lemon Yellow
- Cadmium Red Hue
- Alizarin Crimson
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cerulean Blue Hue
- Raw Umber
- Burnt Umber
- Yellow Ochre
- Burnt Sienna
- Dioxazine Purple
- Magenta
- Other supplies:
- Burnt Sienna acrylic paint, 4 oz tube
- Palette knife (flexible metal, blade about 2.25" long)
- Palette paper, 9" x 12" pad
- Linseed oil
- 6 brushes: a selection of flat, round, and filbert bristle brushes in small and medium sizes
- 3 canvases, 9”x 12”
- 1 canvas board, 9" x 12"
- Paper towels
- Dawn dish soap
- Black extra fine Sharpie marker
- Smock, old T-shirt, or apron
- Glass jar to stand brushes up while painting and drying them
- Table or stand-up easel
- Optional: Pliers for difficult-to-open paint caps
No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).
Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.
This is one of three courses needed to complete the Oil Painting Studies certificate program.
Our online arts certificate programs are perfect for...
✔ Adults looking to boost their creative résumé and LinkedIn profile
✔ Teens who want to earn high school credit for their passion
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate. Certificates for students under 18 are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); high school-age students will also receive an official transcript to share with their current school for consideration for high school credit.
Interlochen Online's Learning Experience
World-class. Inspiring. Flexible.
Questions? Speak with an Advisor.
Email: online@interlochen.org
Phone: 231.276.5990
You can also schedule an appointment.
Access Free Resources from Interlochen Online
Experience Interlochen Online with free guides that teach you practical skills in the arts.
