Basics of Oil Painting: Getting You Comfortable

Instructor: Douglas David
Thursday, May 26, 2022
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
SVAC Member: $125; Non-member: $155

New exciting workshop in oil! This fun and informative workshop will cover the basic principles of oil painting and get you painting simple and easy-to-understand objects in a short time. The idea of this workshop is to get you comfortable with the process of painting while teaching you how to paint dynamic and exciting paintings.

The class includes interesting and memorable discussions on all the basic elements of painting including composition, massing, building form, light and shadow – and depending on your own style, knowing when a work is finished (learning how not to overwork your painting). Douglas delivers sound principles of painting that are an incredible foundation, and whether a person has never ever picked up a brush, or is a more accomplished painter looking for some strong points for review, it will make sense.

After the brief morning intro, a very hands-on approach to the class gets students organized and preparing to paint. Students will learn how to set up a palette with the basic colors and to understand why this is helpful. Douglas will overview his palette and central concepts in the morning and proceed with instruction throughout the day, including demonstrations for each subject that the class paints. Sometimes the demo will be step-by-step, and sometimes the demo is done first and remains as an example you can reference. There is nothing to be afraid of and no reason to be self-conscious. Douglas will get you through all the tricky parts, and you will have fun.

Students will work in their own style/technique so that the finished work is their own. Students will paint simple still lifes which usually include items like an apple and an egg! You will also paint from a photo to help you get the idea of what painting “en plein air/out of doors” is like. You may paint a landscape or two and a floral still life. Plan to produce a few small paintings and possibly one larger painting. Plan to bring a notebook/sketchbook and enjoy all the demos along with some great stories to help you remember the principles that are the foundation of Douglas’s teaching.

Class Tentative Outline
1st hour: Welcome/Overview/Mix Palette.
2nd hour: We will start with a simple egg and then move to an apple.
Lunch: Brown bag.
Entire Afternoon: We will paint a landscape and a floral.

Supplies
Douglas will offer a “BASIC PAINT KIT” which includes all the basic oils, brushes, palette knife, palette and canvas panels and medium for those who do not want to buy these supplies individually. You would need to bring some paper towels and rubber gloves. Price $150, while supplies last. PLEASE RESERVE YOUR KIT BY MAY 23 by emailing Erin after registering for the class (ekaufman@svac.org).

Or you can bring these supplies (these are not absolute, just my way of getting to a good result).
Please prime all canvas with a thin coat of thinned down Cadmium Red Light and white to make a pink or light red tone on canvas (acrylic is fine to tone canvas).

  • liquin
  • mineral spirits
  • Oils – Utrecht (order from Dick Blick)
  • Cadmium Red Light
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Phthalo Blue
  • Phthalo Green
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Ultramarine Violet
  • Lemon Yellow
  • Yellow Green
  • Green Earth Hue
  • Sap Green
  • Prussian Green
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Ivory Black
  • Large tube of “Permalba” White
  • OPTIONAL Oils – Burnt Sienna, Jaune Brilliant No 2. and Holbein Ivory White
  • Paper Towels
  • disposable palette pad
  • palette cup to put medium (Liquin)
  • palette knife
  • brushes – filberts or flats – #2,4,6 maybe 8 or 10 or rounds in these sizes if you prefer rounds over filberts
  • mineral spirits or thinner
  • jar for mineral spirits or thinner to clean brushes
  • a few throw-away bristle brushes from hardware store in 1″ and 2-2.5″ sizes
  • Canvases – Quantity: 2-3 5″x7″, 2-3 8″x10″, 2-3 10″x20″ or 12″x16″ or 16″x20″ (or whatever size desired for larger paintings)

Douglas has a “suitcase of supplies” he brings along. It includes some recommended books, and some supplies in case a few students need a few items that are forgotten.


Douglas David has painted his way across the country, capturing the beauty and spirit of the things he loves–tranquil country landscapes, sunrises and sunsets on his favorite beaches, a simple pitcher of spring lilacs or peonies, a slice of watermelon on a checkered tablecloth. His paintings are beautiful, simple and timeless. After graduating with honors from Herron School of Art, Indiana University, Douglas went on to study for a number of years with Frank Mason, famed instructor from the Art Students League of New York and student of Frank Vincent DuMond. A recipient of numerous regional and national awards and honors, Douglas is a member of many art associations and clubs including Hoosier Salon, Naples Art Association, Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts,Salmagundi Club and Southern Vermont Arts Center. Douglas’s teaching is a way of giving back and sharing some of his journey with those who choose to study with him. He loves to share insights into the DuMond Palette with his students and bases all of his teachings on classic principles. Douglas’s work has been chosen for many private and public collections, including the Vice President’s residence, the United States Embassy to Sierra Leone, and most recently, by request of Ambassador Donnelly, the United States Embassy to the Holy See (Vatican City).

May 26 at 9:30 am
9:30 am — 3:30 pm (6h)

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