Course intent
Begin your oil painting journey with this hands-on introductory workshop, designed to help you learn the fundamental skills needed to start painting. You will begin to develop your handling of tools and paint, understanding colour mixing and tonal values.
While oil painting may seem intimidating at first, this workshop will help you gain the confidence to create your own paintings and discover why oil painting has been a beloved choice among artists for centuries. With personalised guidance and feedback throughout the session, you'll be well-supported as you begin your exploration of this timeless art form.
What will I learn?
You will learn: ● How to correctly use the basic tools and materials needed to get started painting. ● How to mix colours and tones. You will also learn how to identify and check colours against a reference. ● How to apply your paint to create both neat, hard edges and soft, blended areas. ● How to paint to make something look three dimensional rather than flat using a range of tones and directional brushstrokes. ● How to clean up safely and effectively
Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?
This course is for beginners who want support in getting started painting using oil paint. This workshop aims to make oil painting approachable so that you are able to begin exploring oils to create your own work.
As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English or any factors which may impact your ability to access this course.
What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?
YOU NEED TO BRING: ● An apron and suitable clothing for painting spills. ● Notebook and pencil ● 5 tubes of Winton oil paint. Colours: Titanium White, Ivory Black, French Ultramarine, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow Pale (please avoid traditional cadmium pigments)
each £2.95 from https://www.cassart.co.uk/winsor-newton-winton-oil-colour/ ● A small assortment of long-handled flat brushes. This set is an affordable introductory set with a variety of shapes and sizes: https://www.cassart.co.uk/Daler-Rowney-Graduate-Brush-Synthetic-Long-Handle-Set-of-5/ ● A palette. This needs to be a flat surface (preferably without dipped sections) that measures around 20 x 30cm minimum. You can buy from Amazon for about £5, or you can make your own with materials you may already have in your home: for example, you can use an old picture frame, or a piece of Perspex if you have one. ● A palette knife for mixing colours such as https://www.cassart.co.uk/rgm-professional-palette-knife---rgm-x-043--c/ ● A3 pad of oil painting paper ● Kitchen roll or old cotton rags to clean your brushes ● Cooking oil (for cleaning your palette and brushes) ● Jar with lid that doesn’t leak for your solvent (see below)
The tutor will provide low odour solvent for you to use but you will need a clean, empty, leak-proof glass jam jar with a lid to store it in for the class
What can I do when I finish the course?
We hope that you will enjoy the course and will want to continue exploring oil painting with us.
With your newfound confidence, you can progress onto the evening class: Oil Painting - Beginners Thursday 7th November - 12th December 18.30 - 20.30 which will also be run by this same tutor, Sam Kennedy. Alternatively, if you want a day time class, we offer Oil painting in Guildford on a Wednesday or Oil & Acrylic painting in Woking on a Tuesday.
Additional Information
We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.
How to enrol
Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.
Find another course
If this isn't what you're looking for, then we've got plenty more courses to offer!
Details
-
Day:
Saturday
-
Start date:
15 Nov 2025
-
Time:
10am to 3:30pm
-
Cost: £68
- Location: Guildford centre
-
Sessions:
1 sessions
-
Tutor:
Sam Baxter-Kennedy
-
Course code: QHDA640NZA
-
Places: Places available