Oil Painting

Oil painting uses pigments ground in drying oils like linseed. The slow drying time allows for extensive blending and reworking, producing rich colors and subtle gradations impossible with faster-drying media.

Oil paint has been the dominant medium of Western art for five centuries. From Rembrandt's glowing portraits to Monet's shimmering gardens, oils have produced many of history's most beloved paintings. The medium rewards patience and offers unmatched depth of color.

While oil painting has ancient roots, it was perfected in 15th century Flanders by artists like Jan van Eyck. The technique spread throughout Europe and dominated painting for the next five hundred years.

The Old Masters developed sophisticated layering techniques, building paintings over weeks or months. Modern artists from the Impressionists onward developed more direct approaches, but oils remain valued for their unmatched richness and workability.

Oil painting classes introduce you to this traditional medium. You'll learn about paint handling, mediums and solvents, and techniques developed over centuries.

Oils require more setup than acrylics—you'll use solvents for cleaning brushes and may work with various mediums to modify paint consistency. Most studios provide ventilation, but the smell of solvents is part of the experience.

Because oils dry slowly, you may work on a painting over multiple sessions. Bring an apron or wear old clothes—oil paint is difficult to remove from fabric. Classes typically run 2-3 hours.