Intro to Oil Painting Studio (3) - "Pumpkins" (Recorded from the Live Course)

Introduction to oil painting by simply just using black and white paint. Recorded from the original live class.

Intro to Oil Painting - July/August 2021 (Live Course)

Eight-week course (This course most likely will need to be extended due to the size of the painting)
Tuesdays 1-3:30(ish) pm ET, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, & 8/31
Level: Beginner

This is an intro to oil painting practice course, it is for those students who have taken the first section of Robert's Intro to Oil Painting (a recorded version of that course will be available in a couple of months) or students who already understand the very basics of oil painting and its materials. The sole purpose of this practice course is to continue to build confidence in paint handling and brushwork by using only black and white paint.

During this course, we will be painting a still life, "Fall Pumpkins using the indirect method of painting. The indirect method is a layered approach to creating a painting, starting with a line drawing, then a thinly diluted block-in with the paint known as the underpainting. Finishing up with a thicker layer of paint known as the overpainting, this is the layer that everything comes together. To see an example of this technique, visit the “Robert’s painting approach” webpage on the studio website. Please note that the example on that page is in color and includes a tonal layer, which we will not be doing in this course because we are working in black and white. The indirect method is the traditional approach to painting and has been used for centuries.

"Fall Pumpkins" our reference for the May/June course.

  • In each class, Robert will paint a small section for about 10 minutes; students will watch and listen as he works, and then each student will be given time to paint their paintings and repeat until the end of that day's class.
  • You will notice that this class’s scheduled time is 1-3:30(ish); the “ish” is because sometimes we will reach a stopping point before 3:30. Due to what we are painting and the complexity of the subject will determine how much we can accomplish during each class. It is my goal to never end a class with a part of a section of the painting half painted.
  • If we finish the planned painting for this course before the end of the scheduled classes, we will work on a very simple singular object for any remaining scheduled classes.
  • If we are unable to complete the painting in the planned time period an extension will be offered so that we can finish the painting.
  • Each lesson will be recorded and uploaded to the lesson curriculum page within a couple of days of the class giving you the chance to revisit the lesson or to catch up if you missed the class.
This is a live online painting course using Zoom Meeting Rooms. Robert will be working from his studio, where he has several cameras set up to help him give you the best learning experience from the comfort of your studio. You will be able to paint along with Robert during each lesson and ask Robert questions.

Before enrolling, please visit the Technology Needs page to ensure you have everything needed to participate in the online class, ensuring that you have a great experience.


Materials for this course

View the materials for this course. To have the best experience possible, Robert highly recommends purchasing the same materials on the list as those are the materials he uses in his instruction. You can visit the link on the Intro to Oil Paint Materials page, which will take you to Blick Artist Materials, where you can purchase everything you need. Allow two weeks for delivery and always check the top promo banner on the website for special purchase codes.

Required:

(As a new student you MUST have everything listed)

  • Oil Paint, Gamblin Artist's Colors
    • Titanium White
    • Ivory Black
  • Linseed oil
  • Brush cleaning tank
  • Brush cleaning solution (odorless mineral spirits)
  • Painting palette, disposable paper palette
  • Palette knife
  • 8" x 16" canvas or gessoed panel
  • 2 Derwent Inktense watercolor pencil - Charcoal Gray

Brushes (Rosemary & Company)
#6 Eclipse filbert, long handle
#12 Eclipse filbert, long handle
#4 Eclipse round, short handle
#7 Eclipse round, short handle
⅜” Mundy Mops, short handle (I would suggest two of these)
½” Mundy Mops, short handle (I would suggest two of these)

Also required but you may have these in your studio already:

  • Disposable plastic bathroom cups, NOT PAPER!
  • Paper towels
  • 12” aluminum ruler
  • Pencil sharpener


Your Instructor


Robert Louis Caldwell
Robert Louis Caldwell

Artist and Instructor
ARC Associate Living Master
Signature Member, The Society of Animal Artists

Robert Louis Caldwell is an award-winning artist, internationally renowned for his wildlife and architectural oil paintings. His work has appeared in numerous national and international exhibitions, including the Society of Animal Artists, Art of the Animal Kingdom and Birds in Art, and is represented in the permanent collection at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. Robert graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.F.A. and is the author of the drawing instructional book “Draw Realistic Animals, Wildlife, Pets & More.”

Read more about Robert’s instructional approach, philosophy and credentials.

Visit Robert’s website rlcaldwell.com to view examples of his drawings and paintings.


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