Painting: oil techniques and mediums

Oil paint is a medium with a long historical tradition, capable of heavy impasto effects and delicate transparent colour films. Working practically, in the studio, this course will expand your understanding of approaches to building a variety of surfaces in your paint working with mediums and expanding your use of texture and glazing This course is for all levels – both beginners and more experienced painters.
Choose a starting date

Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.

  • Start Date: 12 May 2025
    End Date: 09 Jun 2025
    Mon (Daytime): 10:00 - 13:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 4 sessions (over -5 weeks)
    Course Code: VM449
    Tutors:  Sisetta Zappone
    Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
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  • Start Date: 26 Jun 2025
    End Date: 17 Jul 2025
    Thu (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 4 sessions (over -4 weeks)
    Course Code: VM310
    Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
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Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.

Book your place
In stock
SKU
225907
Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00

What is the course about?

Improving your skills and expanding your understanding of techniques for manipulating oil paint. This will build your confidence and encourage an informed, individual approach using this adaptable medium. Demonstrations will introduce the individual properties of different mediums, followed by guidance on how to use them to create depth and nuance in oil painting.

What will we cover?

• The properties of mediums for oil painting such as glazing mediums; linseed oil and Liquin.
• Impasto and glazing in layers.
• Transparency and opacity of paint.
• Wet and dry / wet into wet approaches.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Combine mediums with oil paint to extend the range of brush marks.
• Use layering and glazing techniques in oil painting.
• Create a varied and nuanced surface in oil painting.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for all levels – both beginners and more experienced painters who are interested in developing their understanding of how to manipulate oil paint as a medium.

You should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may be encouraged to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

• Demonstrations
• Practical work in the studio
• Handouts
• One-to–one tutoring
• Group discussion.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Materials and resources are provided as part of this course, including oil paint, mediums and brushes. A sketchbook would be useful.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You will be able to progress on to a variety of painting courses, such as ‘Painting 1, 2 or 3’, depending on your level or ‘Oil Painting Projects.

Sisetta Zappone See more See less
Henry Gibbons Guy See more See less

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.