The Complete Painter – Lessons from the Masters

You will learn about the painting styles of great masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas, and see how to apply their techniques in your own work. Throughout the course, you will have hands-on experience with a variety of painting techniques, from still lifes to portraits, landscapes to interiors, and beyond. The course also covers advanced topics such as impasto, glazing, and underpainting.

In addition to the hands-on lessons, you will receive step-by-step guidance in your course guidebook, as well as in-depth video lessons that provide a rich learning experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, The Complete Painter: Lessons from the Masters will help you expand your skills and creativity, and turn you into a confident and capable painter. So, take your first step towards becoming an amazing painter today and join the Complete Painter: Lessons from the Masters!

The Complete Painter: Lessons from the Masters is designed to help anyone, regardless of prior experience, to learn the skill of oil painting. Led by award-winning Professor of Painting and Drawing, David Brody, from the University of Washington, this comprehensive course includes 34 easy-to-follow lessons that cover the fundamentals of oil painting, from choosing paints and brushes to composition, and various painting techniques.

You’ll start by gaining an understanding of the physical properties of oil paint and how to work with it safely. Then, you’ll delve into marks, lines, brushstrokes, edges, value, color, and palettes, as well as preparing canvases and rigid supports. By studying techniques by copying iconic paintings, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the art form.

Throughout the course, Professor Brody will paint along with you during the exercises, demonstrating techniques and sharing insights on mixing and thinning paints, paint application and removal, and more. This course is not a paint-by-numbers experience, but rather an opportunity for motivated and enthusiastic learners to gain a deeper understanding of oil painting and the process behind it.

Course Organization

• The Complete Painter: Lessons from the Masters includes several, distinct types of lessons, all of which come together to provide college-level expertise about the history, materials, and techniques of oil painting: Materials. You’ll learn about the real “must-haves” for your workspace—paper, pencils, additives, brushes, and the six specific tubes of paint you’ll need for your first palette. You’ll learn the difference between flexible and rigid supports, how to work with proportional dividers, and how to best light your workspace. Palettes. Just as a chef can’t include every spice in any one recipe, a painter must limit color to create a unique work. You’ll learn to work with some of the classic restricted palettes—grisaille, brunaille, and earth-tone—as well as a more expansive palette toward the end of the course. Exercises. You’ll have many opportunities to practice basic painting techniques such as lines, marks, and shapes, as well as skills related to ground, balance, space, and more. Projects. Once you have your materials, understand your palette options, and have practiced a great variety of techniques, you will move on to larger projects. Your professor leaves you with some suggestions for creating projects of your own. And, you’ll certainly be ready for the challenge!

In the Grand Tradition of Copying the Masters
The course “The Complete Painter: Lessons from the Masters” includes lessons on oil painting history, materials, techniques and focuses on the study of iconic works of Western art. You will analyze paintings like “The Ballerina” by Degas, “Still Life” by Morandi, “The Scream” by Munch, “Guernica” by Picasso, and “The Last Supper” by Leonardo. You will learn about the characteristics of each painting, such as brushwork, mark making, texture, depth, focus, organization of shapes, and the use of palettes. The course follows the tradition of copying masterpieces to learn the art of painting, and the lessons will help you gain a deeper understanding of how the masters worked and the techniques they used.