If you wanted to learn how to paint with oils as an adult to a high standard?

[Treeswherewesit89]

Where would you go?

UK? Northern Europe?

Full time or part time?

I am sixty years old, have one year, and have some funds but not excessive amounts.

I am serious about wanting to be taught properly using traditional methods initially.

Does anyone have any recommendations please?

Anyone?

Italy I should think. I’m sure some of the major art schools would be able to point you towards good courses in Florence.

I've been oil painting for 3 years at a local college and I've actually learnt a lot from YouTube videos. However nothing beats a real life class. I know when I watch Portrait Artist of the Year, there are often pp who have had classical training in Florence, so that might be your best bet?

Have you done any oil painting before?

There's also lots online
https://www.udemy.com/course/oil-painting-techniques-vermeer/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=udemyads&utm_campaign=BG-Search_DSA_Beta_Prof_la.EN_cc.UK&campaigntype=Search&portfolio=Bing&language=EN&product=Course&test=&audience=DSA&topic=&priority=Beta&utm_content=deal4584&utm_term=.ag_1318316820147413.ad_.kw_Creativity+en.de_t.dm_.pl_.ti_dat-2334194466836669%3Aloc-188.li_40990.pd_.&matchtype=b&msclkid=2f2cc51397a9121db735a38df2021573&couponCode=2021PM20

Go to Florence. It will be an amazing experience.

No. I have art A level. But we used acrylics unfortunately! And obviously that was 42 years ago!

Thank you Appalonia

Were you local college classes part time?

Thank you for Udemy link!

Thank you!

Florence, NY Academy, PaFa, Lyme Academy

Thanks for replies.

I want to be really “taught” ifyswim and have a good grounding in technique before I do anything else.

Florence seems a bit daunting but will do some research.

Thank you so much namechanger

All of those recommendations look superb but I think USA might be a bit far to manage logistically.

Mainly looking in UK, France, Belgium and The Netherlands as I have family accommodation within striking distance of those places.

If you're new to using oils and want to see if it's for you, one of these short courses might be of interest:

https://www.westdean.ac.uk/search?term=oils

I’d never used oils before but went to a local art class to do portraiture and she recommended I give it a go after I’d finished one in acrylics.

It’s super easy to get the hang of to be fair, especially if you start with a limited palette - the teacher introduced me to the Zorn palette, where you just use 4 colours and mix them to make all the skin tones you could need. It’s a really simple way to start and get to grips with the way oil paints work.

Beat me to it! I've been on a bunch of different art courses at West Dean (including an oil painting one) and it's an absolutely exceptional place. Great standard of tutors, amazing accommodation, brilliant location and garden, and really interesting history - Google Edward James!

Good luck! (Plus if it's classical-type art you want to make, do give life drawing a go. That's a good way to learn to draw. )

Also, a couple of books I've also been inspired by over my years as a (non-selling, amateur) artist are:

• this one on Daily Painting (the author paints in oils): carolmarine.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html

• this absolute classic by Julia Cameron: www.amazon.co.uk/Artists-Way-Discovering-Recovering-Creative/dp/0330343580

I would start by doing a short course at a local adult education centre to make sure you like using oil and to learn some of the basics. In London I did some really interesting short painting courses at the City Lit in Covent Garden.

Then you can be a bit more adventurous and book something abroad.

Life drawing classes are also useful if you want to paint the human figure and learn to work with an actual model.

Avoid the big art schools in the UK because you won't learn much in term of painting techniques...I did a fine art BA at Central St Martins as a mature student . We never did any practical paintings classes as everything was about ideas and concepts rather than gaining actual painting skills. So I had to do a lot of life drawing/painting sessions with a local art group alongside my degree to add to my training.

That sounds fascinating thank you!

That is massively helpful advice thank you *Startingagainandagain . *

Funnily enough I did approach City Lit once but backed out because they made several serious admin errors during my application which put me off!

That’s so interesting about needing practical classes alongside a St Martin’s degree.

Brilliant! I am so grateful for these recommendations thank you!

Have ordered!

I’m familiar with West Dean the place; that’s a very helpful recommendation thank you.

Thanks for the steer everyone. You are all quite right. I need to start locally with some drawing and mixed media classss and then branch out as I get more confident about what I like and the direction I want to go in.

It’s tempting to go full “Shirley Valentine” but I can go abroad for summer schools once I have more experience and have tested my potential.

Thank you.

I have a friend who in her 40s decided to do an art degree at St Martin's College. I asked her what techniques they taught. She said, they don't teach you how to paint, they teach you how to think!

Made me think, no wonder so much modern art is rubbish...

It was an afternoon once a week. I think if you've already done acrylics you shouldn't find it that difficult. The main difference is how long oil takes to dry. Which is great for blending, but often you have to do a painting in stages, letting it dry for a few days or it can start looking muddy.

Also, you don't use water, Zest It is a v good medium to use as it is non toxic. You don't need to use turpentine. I just clean my brushes afterwards by soaking them in baby oil and then washing them with Fairy Liquid. Works fine.

I'm not brilliant, but I've got better and I do really enjoy it. Here's some recent things we've done in class.