Discover the Best Oil Painting Classes in Washington, D.C.
The first use of oil colors has been traced back to a cave in Bamiyan, Afghanistan during the 7th century CE. Oil colors were then used for painting in 11th-century Europe, and easel painting with oil colors began in the 15th century. Artists refined oil painting over the years and oil paints themselves evolved.
Oil painting is a highly respected fine art. Famous painters like Leonardo da Vinci and Diego Velázquez contributed to the prestige of oil painting. There’s also a misconception that oil painting is exceptionally difficult. This is largely because oil painting requires a variety of materials that you should understand well before using. One of these materials is solvent, which is used to break down oil paints to either change their consistency or to clean them off brushes.
Oil paints are thicker and heavier, so they take longer to dry than other mediums. However, because of this, they also take longer to fade than many other mediums. If you create an oil painting, it can likely last for several hundred years in good condition.
Why You Should Learn Oil Painting in
Painting has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress when done as a therapeutic activity. When you paint, you’re expressing your imagination and creativity. You also need to pay close attention to details. This can distract you from outside stressors and things that cause anxiety in your life.
Oil painting can help you work on your patience. Oil paints are slow drying, although one popular painting technique requires you to paint on top of still-wet paint. Doing this will require you to practice patience and carefully consider how to proceed with your painting. However, the slow-drying time of oil paints means that there is room for mistakes, so you don’t have to be too worried if you make an errant brushstroke or need to adjust the color of your paint.
Oil painting is a respected medium among artists. This is in part because of the popular idea that oil painting is exceedingly difficult and because famous paintings like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa are oil paintings. This has helped to create the perception that oil paintings are more valuable than other mediums. With enough practice and experience in oil painting, you may have the opportunity to display or even sell your paintings,
In-Person Oil Painting Classes in
Sign up for in-person oil painting classes to receive hands-on instruction in oil painting basics and techniques, as well as in-depth demonstrations that you can follow along with. In-person classes are taught at local schools and studios by expert instructors who can provide you with constructive feedback and advice.
New and returning in-person oil painting classes offered in the area are listed on CourseHorse. These classes range from beginner to advanced level. Beginner classes typically focus on the fundamentals of oil painting: color theory, color mixing, and application techniques. Intermediate-level classes will typically expand on techniques while allowing you to work on individual projects. Advanced-level classes will focus on one or several advanced techniques and will challenge you to explore the boundaries of your creativity while oil painting.
Previous oil painting classes taught in the DC area have introduced students to oil painting, taught the process of painting a landscape, and gone in-depth on popular oil painting techniques. If in-person oil painting classes interest you, check back regularly on CourseHorse to see if any are being offered at a school or studio near you.
Virtual Oil Painting Classes
If you can’t take an in-person oil painting class or if there are none offered in your area, don’t be discouraged; you can still take an oil painting class. Virtual oil painting classes are offered remotely through online video platforms. These classes are taught by experts from around the country on a variety of topics. Classes can be found for beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level painters.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re taking a virtual oil painting class is that you’ll need to procure the necessary supplies yourself. In-person classes may supply you with most or some supplies, which makes them ideal if you’re just starting and don’t have tools. However, if you take an online class, your instructor will include a supply list on the class page and may even direct you to an online retailer to purchase them.
Online Oil Pastel 101 is a virtual oil painting class offered by Pastimes for a Lifetime. This class will provide you with a basic understanding of oil paintings. Your instructor will teach you about using oil paints, color theory, and color mixing. You must first take their online Intro to Drawing class or an equivalent before taking this class.
If you have some experience with oil painting, you can sign up for the Richmond Art Center’s Abstract Painting class. This intermediate class will be spent working on an original abstract painting. Instruction for this class is also available in Spanish.
The Evanston Art Center hosts an online oil painting discussion and critique class. This class encourages questions and lively discussion in the hopes of providing each student with valuable feedback and advice on their oil paintings. You’ll be able to share your ideas and works in progress as well as engage in constructive feedback with other students.
Private Group Oil Painting Classes in
Are you interested in booking a private group oil painting for your business or organization in the area? CourseHorse can deliver classes to you.
