Painting – Oil – White Bear Center for the Arts

Click here to return to Classes by Category

Beginning Oils

CLASS ID: 2R50
Date/Time: 4 Thursdays: September 7 – 28, 1:00PM – 3:30PM

CLASS ID: 2R78
Date/Time: 4 Thursdays: October 5 – 26, 1:00PM – 3:30PM

CLASS ID: 2R79
Date/Time: 4 Thursdays: November 2 – 30, 1:00PM – 3:30PM

Julie Dobson Miner
This ongoing class will take you through the entire process from concept to completion of a painting. Julie gently helps you first paint what you see and eventually when you might let go. Most classes will begin with a demo, small discussion/lecture or sharing to increase your knowledge of all the aspects of art including drawing, value, and color. The instructor will use traditional oil paints, however students can also use water mixable oils or acrylics. Julie promotes learning to mix colors by use of a suggested limited palette (warm and cool primaries) as well as limited use of solvents and safe handling practices. Beginner student projects will be offered and eventually progress to help you find your own artistic voice. Students can use supplies from the instructor for a fee or use the supply list.

Becoming a Better Painter in Oils or Acrylics

CLASS ID: 2R74
Date/Time: Friday, September 8, 9:00AM – 4:00PM

CLASS ID: 2R75
Date/Time: Friday, October 6, 9:00AM – 4:00PM

CLASS ID: 2R76
Date/Time: Friday, November 17, 9:00AM – 4:00PM

Mary Jo Van Dell
You will quickly notice an improvement in your work with the instruction and ideas you receive in this workshop. You will be personally coached and encouraged to develop or better individual skill and style. Come with an open mind and blank canvas to refresh your passion for painting. Subject matter is up to you. Starting a new piece is preferable but you may also bring a piece in progress. This is the perfect workshop to bring that idea that’s been haunting you to life or to start that big canvas you’ve always wanted to do. A small canvas is fine too! Enthusiasm and some experience are required for this class.

Studio Landscape Painting with Mike Rada

CLASS ID: 2R77
Date/Time: 5 Wednesdays: September 20 – October 18, 9:00AM – 12:00PM

Mike Rada
Whether you are just getting started or have painted for many years, this class has much to offer. You will work from your own studies, sketches, drawings, or photos and will learn what it takes to create a successful painting from start to finish. Mike will show examples of his work and give demos, short lectures, and lots of positive encouragement while you work on your own projects and style. The information provided applies to all mediums, so you may work in oils, acrylics, or pastels. Class is limited to 10 students. Students cannot miss the first day of class, as Mike will be giving important lectures and demos. No supplies are needed the first day of class, except paper and pen to take notes.

Alla Prima Portraiture Practicum

CLASS ID: 2R63
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 24, 9:00AM – 4:00PM

Suzann Beck
This class is for students who have already taken Introduction to the Alla Prima Portrait. Students in this class will have the opportunity to paint 2 portraits (one in the morning and one in the afternoon with a different model) with instructor guidance. Model fee included. Bring a lunch.

Introduction to the Alla Prima Portrait

CLASS ID: 2R62
Date/Time: Saturday, November 4, 9:00AM – 4:00PM

Suzann Beck
This workshop will help you learn to paint a realism-style “alla prima” or “all at once” portrait in roughly three hours, using value and color to communicate the light and shadow that gives dimension and drama to a portrait. This workshop will teach you how to draw an underpainting in oil that guides your subsequent color work, how to mix the basic values of skin tone color and build on your underpainting, and the finishing touches that bring life to a painting. In the morning session Suzann will explain her approach to alla prima portraiture and demonstrate painting a full-color portrait from a live model. After an hour lunch break, the afternoon session will feature hands-on practice painting from a live clothed model and one-on-one guidance. Prior drawing and painting experience is suggested. Model fee included. Bring a lunch.

Intermediate/Advanced Painting with Dan Mackerman

Dan Mackerman
This course is designed for intermediate and advanced painting students who wish to broaden their knowledge and experience. Work on your own projects while taking advantage of Dan’s 40+ years of painting. The purpose of this class is to improve upon what you already know, expose you to new possibilities and to make you a better painter. For some that may mean inspiring conversation on topics that relate to your work. For others it may mean tips or demos on materials and tools that fine-tune your technique or improve a specific piece. Dan will regularly give demonstrations, share references from his personal library of over 500 books, lead critiques, and give museum tours when the need arises. Solvent-free oil painting dating back to the time of Rembrandt is highlighted but any opaque media such as pastel or acrylic are also welcome

Painting Skills for Beginner Painters

Dan Mackerman
This is a class for those with either little or no experience and for those with experience that want to pick up tips they might have missed. Learn the skills that are fundamental to painting so that your imagination won’t be held back later on. In these courses, we will cover drawing techniques for measuring proportion and composing, color mixing tricks, an introduction to the different kinds of brushes and how to use them, and several different easy methods to develop a painting. This class will be taught in sections, each topic building on the next, starting with the most basic skills in the fall and advancing to more exciting levels of painting by the end of spring. Each topic will be demonstrated so you can see how it’s done before you try it yourself. This course will continue into the Spring.

Basic Techniques for Realistic Oil Painting

CLASS ID: 2R47
Date/Time: 4 Fridays: September 8-29, 1:00PM – 3:30PM

Dan Patterson
In this course you will learn the basic techniques for shading, blending, and the importance of soft edges. Dan will also lecture and demonstrate the key details on each object in a still life to give your painting that realistic look. These are simple techniques that with practice can take your painting to a whole new level of realism. We’ll start by working in gray values to concentrate on the blending, shading, soft edges, and handling of the brush to achieve these techniques. After completing the gray value exercise we’ll move onto a color composition and discuss how to apply the techniques and the observation of details and mixing of colors needed for each element of the painting. Dan will be conducting group and individual demonstrations throughout the classes and with practice you will see a positive improvement in your painting skills. A basic understanding of oil painting is recommended.

Still Life Painting in Oil

CLASS ID: 2R46
Date/Time: 4 Thursdays: November 2-30, 6:00PM – 8:30PM

Christopher Copeland
This class will work from still lifes or bring the outdoors indoors. Working from sketches and plein air work, students will execute field studies, mixing color to achieve form, value, and color harmony in the landscape. Students will gain the confidence needed to complete a painting quickly and accurately.

Mentoring for All Mediums

CLASS ID: 2R35
Date/Time: 3 Mondays: September 11-25, 12:45PM – 3:00PM

CLASS ID: 2R36
Date/Time: 5 Mondays: October 2-30, 12:45PM – 3:00PM

CLASS ID: 2R37
Date/Time: 4 Mondays: November 6-27, 12:45PM – 3:00PM

Susan Hartzell Vannelli
This class is for those who would like to complete a piece of art, an unfinished painting, pastel, watercolor, drawing, collage, or whatever! This instructor will mentor and help you with a new way of seeing your creative abilities, get you started on a new piece of work, and inspire you to press on and work in a series. Please bring supplies and a project. The instructor will have demonstrations each week for optional projects.

Click here to return to Classes by Category

Category Archives: Painting – Oil