Introduction to Oil Painting

Have you ever wanted to try oil paints but don’t know where to start? Are you overwhelmed by all the options and just want someone to explain it all in a clear way? Well, this one day Introduction to Oil Painting workshop is here for you!

Your tutor Sara Reeve will lead you through a plain speaking Introduction to Oil Painting to answer all your questions and demystify exactly what you need to get started. This will be a relaxed and friendly day packed full of information and top tips about how to use oil paint – we will be exploring the materials and kit you can use, techniques of applying oil paint, colour mixing to avoid the dreaded mud, and different approaches to creating oil paintings in a range of subjects.

It’s a perfect introduction if you want to have a practise with oil paints before a longer weekend or evening course. This course is aimed at complete beginners to oil paint, or for artists who want to refresh their confidence in using oil paint, and there will be lots of opportunity for individual guidance.

Sara Reeve is a Brighton-based artist and tutor at Draw who specialises in portraiture in oils. A semi-finalist on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2023, her work has been exhibited nationally, and was selected for the Ing Discerning Eye 2022.

What to expect

This will be a fast paced day with demos and plenty of exercises to build your confidence - this isn’t just for portrait artists, we’ll be looking at oil paint and all its possibilities! We will be looking at examples by other artists, creating resources to take away and working from still life set ups in the studio. Places are limited to 11 students and pre-booking is essential. If you have any questions just email Sara on info@sarareeve.com

Morning: We will look at all the materials and kit you might need with oil painting, and will start getting used to applying the oil paint to surfaces. We’ll then be moving on to look at tonal studies working from a still life set up.

Afternoon: After lunch we will be exploring colour mixing looking at warm and cool tones, and learning how to avoid muddy tones. We will look at the stages of creating an oil painting, and the techniques and mediums you can use. We will finish the session learning how to clean up after an oil painting session!

What you need to bring

All materials required for this workshop are included in the cost of this course, though you may wish to bring an A3 flat box to take your paintings home in. Padded & backed chairs, drawing boards and tables are provided for all students.

Getting to the studio

You may arrive at 9:45am onwards. Approach New England House from the New England Street side of the building and walk up to the locked blue double doors next to the sign for the ‘Building Manager’s Office’. Wait to be let in or call the number on the door for entry - the studio is on level 5, Unit 1 South, just knock and walk in. There is parking at London Road car park, Elder Place & Trafalgar St car parks; Brighton station is a 5 minute walk from the studio.

Discounts

The discounted rate is available for anybody on low income, students or Patreon supporters. Sign up to the Draw Patreon from just £3.60 per month to get access to the discount, online life drawing course, live online classes and personal feedback from our tutors. Whether you are a Patreon supporter or not, you can post your drawings on the Draw community Facebook group and you are welcome to tag us with @draw_brighton and #drawbrighton on Instagram.

Safety & accessibility

For the wellbeing of everybody at the class please don’t come to the class if you are ill with contagious symptoms. If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand and we will do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the life classes here. The building has a wheelchair ramp at the North side of the New England Street entrance and lifts up to level 5 with gender-neutral toilets & accessible toilets on floors 4 & 6 accessed by lift. We keep the studio a safe environment by providing:

• Monitored ventilation (aiming for <900ppm CO2)
• Air purification with HEPA filters
• Sick pay for our freelance life models
• If you have covid, flu or bad cold symptoms we ask you not to attend - you will receive a refund as well as our appreciation!

Cancellations

Bookings are non-refundable. If you are unwell with a contagious illness you may not attend the class - you can request a refund here on Eventbrite and we can issue a full refund, minus Eventbrite's fees. If you are unable to attend, please do get in touch with us on info@draw-brighton.co.uk to discuss the options for giving up your place in exchange for credit at other Draw Brighton courses, or transferring your place to another attendee.