Oil Painting: An introduction
Whether you're new to the medium or a seasoned painter, Andrew’s experienced approach to oil painting offers guidance and inspiration for every level. With his gentle encouragement, you will begin with drawing before progressing to oils, developing confidence through clear, practical instruction rooted in traditional painting methods.
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Tue 10 Feb
- $188.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 10 Feb 19:00 - Tue 10 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 17 Feb 19:00 - Tue 17 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 24 Feb 19:00 - Tue 24 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 03 Mar 19:00 - Tue 03 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 10 Mar 19:00 - Tue 10 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 17 Mar 19:00 - Tue 17 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Tue 05 May
- $188.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 05 May 19:00 - Tue 05 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 12 May 19:00 - Tue 12 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 19 May 19:00 - Tue 19 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 26 May 19:00 - Tue 26 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 02 Jun 19:00 - Tue 02 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 09 Jun 19:00 - Tue 09 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Tue 28 Jul
- $188.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 28 Jul 19:00 - Tue 28 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 04 Aug 19:00 - Tue 04 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 11 Aug 19:00 - Tue 11 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 18 Aug 19:00 - Tue 18 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 25 Aug 19:00 - Tue 25 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 01 Sep 19:00 - Tue 01 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Tue 13 Oct
- $188.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 13 Oct 19:00 - Tue 13 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 20 Oct 19:00 - Tue 20 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 27 Oct 19:00 - Tue 27 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 10 Nov 19:00 - Tue 10 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 17 Nov 19:00 - Tue 17 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 24 Nov 19:00 - Tue 24 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
Whether you're new to the medium or a seasoned painter, Andrew’s experienced approach to oil painting offers guidance and inspiration for every level. With his gentle encouragement, you will begin with drawing before progressing to oils, developing confidence through clear, practical instruction rooted in traditional painting methods.
Embark on a hands-on artistic journey in our Oil Painting introduction course. Designed for all skill levels, this immersive class explores the foundational elements of drawing and painting, including perspective, negative space, tonal variation, line dynamics, composition, and colour theory. Andrew will help you strengthen your observational skills and understand the subtleties of light, tone, and shadow.
Building on these essentials, the course introduces students to traditional oil-painting techniques with a particular emphasis on alla prima (wet-into-wet) painting. You’ll experiment with approaches such as direct painting, controlled brushwork, impasto, and subtle tonal modelling. Throughout the course, students are supported in developing their own way of working while gaining a strong technical foundation.
Course Schedule by Term
Course outline
- Session 1: Composition, quality of line, negative space, tone, shadow, weight, perspective
- Session 2: Introduction to Oils and Colour Theory, care for materials and cleaning up.
- Session 3: Transferring the drawing to canvas; underpainting and preparatory methods
- Sessions 4: Transferring the drawing to canvas; underpainting and preparatory methods.
- Session 5: Modelling with light and shadow (chiaroscuro), building mid-tones and refining edges
- Session 6: Bringing focus to key areas of the painting, varnishing, preservation, and preparing work for display
Students are encouraged to find their own unique way of working and will be individually mentored throughout.
Expected learning outcomes
- Mastery of Fundamental Elements: Students will gain a solid understanding of key elements in drawing and painting, including perspective, negative space, tonal variation, and colour theory.
- Enhanced Observational Skills: Learners will refine their ability to interpret light, tone, and shadow, strengthening the perceptual skills needed for confident and expressive oil painting.
- Traditional and Alla Prima Techniques: Students will develop proficiency in a range of painting methods, particularly alla prima painting. Through direct application, layering techniques, tonal modelling, and brushwork, participants will expand their technical toolkit and learn how to approach a painting with clarity and purpose.
These learning outcomes ensure a well-rounded educational experience, equipping students with strong technical skills and a deeper understanding of traditional oil-painting practices.
What to bring
Materials will be provided for the first class only. At that time, Andrew will explain which materials students should purchase for future classes. The approximate cost will be $150. Visit Gordon Harris Art Supplies and mention you are attending a Selwyn Community Education course to receive a discount.
Who should attend
This course welcomes both beginners and experienced artists. Whether you're exploring oil painting for the first time or refining your technique, you’ll find a supportive and encouraging environment.
Sample student artworks from February 2024 course:
