Oil Painting with Tom Quinn

Six Tuesdays, July 14- August 18

12:00-2:00 p.m.

$168

This is an adult class

Oil is the medium of the old masters. As long ago as the 15th century, artists began exploring its vast possibilities. We cover the “fat over lean” and all prima approaches, along with easy ways to correct errors. The class is for all levels of experience, from beginners to professionals.

Week 1. Introductory lecture on materials. First project, painting a landscape from background to foreground

Week 2. Lecture on color theory. Students continue their layered landscape

Week 3. Continuation of layered landscape.

Weeks 4-6. One-on-one with students on their personal projects.

Please bring the following supplies to class (This list will be emailed to you when you register)

Colors. Professional quality paints are far preferable to “student grade.” Some professional colors are available in 2 ounce or .75 ounce tubes.

When buying your first set of colors, it’s best to start with darker values. You can always lighten them with white and later buy lighter values as your budget allows.

If you are buying water-soluble oil paints, be sure all your colors are water-soluble.

• Titanium White (Usually sold in 5 or 7 ounce tubes. Ask if they have it in 2 ounce. Do not buy zinc white)
• Ivory Black
• Yellow Cadmium Medium. If that’s not available, Hansa or Azo Medium
• Phthalo Blue
• Ultramarine Blue 
• Cadmium Red Light 
• Alizarin Crimson
• Raw Sienna (if unavailable, you can substitute yellow ochre
• Burnt Sienna
• Raw Umber
• Burnt Umber
• Phthalo Green

Some colors are available at .75 ounce or less. If you can afford more colors, you may want to add Dioxazine Purple, Chromium Oxide Green, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue, Chromium Oxide Green, or Payne’s Grey

Mediums. Turpenoid Natural. Look for the green label and the words “Non-Toxic” and “Non-Flammable” on the can. 

Walnut Oil. Much less expensive in supermarkets than in art supply stores. Buy the smallest size available. La Tourangelle has it in an 8.45 ounce can

Brushes. Although I personally favor nylon bristle brushes, many oil painters use hog bristle. If you buy hog bristle brushes, I recommend buying at least one small brush in nylon for edges and finer details. Do not buy sable brushes. There is as yet no standardization of brush sizes. Numbers vary from one manufacturer to another. You should have at least three flats, one quarter-inch and one half-inch, and one an inch or larger.

One small round brush, Silverwhite #1 or equivalent size.

Bights and filberts are not recommended. No angled brushes or fan brushes.

Surfaces. Canvas is ideal. Canvas panels are the least expensive format. Ideal sizes are 8 x 10, 9 x 12, and 11 x 14. Unprepared surfaces will need priming with acrylic gesso. I can provide a demonstration on how to construct your own stretched and primed canvas. Primed canvas sheets in pads are an inexpensive option.

Palette. Wooden palettes are light and inexpensive. Disposable paper palettes are convenient. The best pads are those with no thumb hole.

Palette Knife. Metal, not plastic, and preferably trowel-shaped.

Vessels. The best vessel is the Silicon jar, which comes with a coil at the base. It is sold in conjunction with the Silicoil’s proprietary solvent, but you can buy the vessel without it.