Oil Painting for Beginners

Brush painting a colorful canvas

Oil Painting for Beginners

Course Code: CSP-PNTOIL1

For beginning oil painters, emphasis will be placed on how to start a painting, work with oil paints and brushes, and achieve your desired results. For oil painters who have progressed, the emphasis will be on further developing your abilities to use oil paint to create original works of art. Each class will begin with a brief demonstration such as using additives in oil paint for effects, understanding why there are so many types of brushes, proportioning image references to use in paintings, and framing do's and don'ts.

Please Note: This class cannot be used for credit toward any of our degree programs.

Required Materials:

  • Photo to use as your painting reference, such as a still life, landscape, or flowers
  • Student grade oil paints* such as Winsor & Newton's Winton or Grumbacher's Academy oils. Tube size should be 37 ml (1.25 oz): Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Chromium Oxide Green or Permanent Green Light, Cerulean Blue or Cobalt Blue Hue, Burnt Umber or Raw Umber (brown). *You may purchase a set that does not have these exact paints. NO water soluble paints. 
  • Brushes of various sizes and shapes: Long handles, White bristles (slightly stiff), Flat or Bright (squared ends) Filberts (rounded ends). Suggested sizes: 1/4" wide, 3/8" wide, 1/2" wide. Brushes for acrylic paints will work.
  • Painting palette: Paper or wood types are best; Plastic is acceptable.
  • Odorless solvent, odorless mineral spirits, such as Gamsol or Turpenoid, at least 16 oz.
  • 2 clean, clear glass jars (recycled is good) with screw-on lids. 
  • Roll of paper towels 
  • At least one stretched canvas or canvas covered painting panel, 9"x12," 11" x14," 12" x 16"

Available Classes

There are currently no available classes.

About the Community Enrichment Program

The Community Enrichment Program (CEP) at Craven Community College provides a diverse array of non-credit, short-term, and affordable courses. Classes are open to anyone who wants to keep learning while having fun! Topics offered are based on community input and range in skill levels from beginner to advanced. Classes can take place in one session or span several weeks. Please note: CEP classes cannot be used for credit toward any of our degree programs.

Students may receive a full refund if a CEP class is canceled by Craven CC prior to the start date, or the student withdraws from the class before the start date. Complete details about CEP refunds are available in the Workforce Development section of the academic catalog.

Don't see what you're looking for?

We're always looking for new class ideas. If you have a topic you want to see offered, or if you're interested in teaching a class, we'd love to hear from you! Contact our Community Enrichment Coordinator below.

Contact Information

Community Enrichment Coordinator
Brock Administration Building
New Bern Campus
252-638-1519

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