Introduction to Oil Paining for Beginners

Learn the fundamentals of oil painting with acclaimed artist and instructor Charles Hu. This course breaks down the entire process of oil painting from life and is intended for beginning and experienced artists alike. Charles explains the important concepts of gesture, shape design, and composition. You will also learn what materials are needed, how to get set up, and the techniques used to apply paint. After taking this course, you will be on your way to oil painting from life using a variety of different subjects and palettes.

1. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 1: Drawing Concepts Review With Charles Hu
There are a variety of concepts involved in guiding the eye and telling the story that you want to tell. In this first lesson, Charles thoroughly explains these concepts by demonstrating a series of compositional studies.

2. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 2: Materials With Charles Hu
In this second lesson, Charles explains the materials that are needed for oil painting: including brushes, mediums, cleaning supplies, and oil paints.

3. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 3: Black & White Still Life With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles demonstrates the techniques in achieving correct values. Using only black and white, he guides you through the process while painting a still life.

4. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 4: The Black & White Figure With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles demonstrates painting in black & white, this time focusing on techniques geared towards painting the figure.

5. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 5: Zorn Palette Figure Painting With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles introduces the famous Zorn palette and explains how it can be utilized in figure painting. You will learn how to enhance a painting by understanding warm vs cool.

6. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 6: Zorn Palette Costumed Figure in Environment With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles demonstrates how to paint an entire scene: the figure, drapery, and environment, while using the Zorn palette.

7. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 7: Figure in Environment with Additional Colors With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles adds additional colors to the Zorn palette and demonstrates how they can be used while painting a figure in an environment.

8. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 8: Still Life with Full Palette With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles introduces the full palette and teaches how to mix and apply its various colors. He demonstrates this while painting a colorful still life.

9. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 9: Full Palette Costumed Figure With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles works from a live costumed model. While applying the full palette, he explains the benefits and challenges in painting from life vs photo reference.

10. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 10: Full Palette en Plein Air Costumed Figure With Charles Hu
In this lesson, Charles paints a live model in an outdoor environment. You will learn which elements are important to capture when time is constrained by changing light conditions.

11. Introduction to Oil Painting for Beginners Part 11: Full Palette Multi-Figure Painting With Charles Hu
In this lesson, all of the previous techniques culminate together while Charles demonstrates them on a multi-figure painting using live models and the full palette.