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• • Online | Foundations in Oils

    Anyone can paint if they are given the right instructions." - Marcel Desbiens, Master Artist and Principal Tutor

    If you have never picked up a paintbrush before, this online course will give you the technical skills and knowledge to help fast track your painting process and produce stunning works of art of your own. All in the comfort of your own home!

    The Course has been designed by Marcel Desbiens and has been developed specially for an online audience.

    You have the choice of either using all your own materials, or purchasing a Foundations in Oils Pack from us.

    We will also send you instructions on how to set up your home camera and painting area so that our Tutor – Marcel – will be able to give personalised instructions. Marcel is able to take questions from students in real time.

    What will I learn?

    • how to set up your work station to minimise mess and maximise your painting time
    • understand basic principles of colour mixing and paint consistency
    • learn how to control tone to create the optical illusion of reality
    • how to choose the right brushes and develop effective brush techniques
    • how to clean and care for your brushes
    • learn to paint in the traditional glazing techniques of the old masters

    This Foundations in Oils course is run online

    You do not need to have a Zoom account to access the course.
    As this course is tought online, it is open to students from anywehre that has access to the internet! However, the course is taught in English so students should have a good command of English to get the most out of this course.

    In each class, Marcel will give a step-by-step demonstration, and then it’s your turn for hands-on painting exercises. Each exercise builds on the previous one so that each week your skills and confidence will grow a little more.

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    Who is this course suitable for?

    This foundation course is perfect for absolute beginners or for those who want to brush up on the fundamental techniques of oil painting. 90% of students who enrol in this course either have never picked up a paintbrush or have minimal painting experience. However, others who have painted before have also attended and found that they learned so much more about oil painting techniques.

    What do I need to have?

    Access to a computer and camera for Zoom.
    A notebook and pen are optional for note-taking.
    Solvent to clean your brushes.
    Apron to protect your clothes or clothes you are happy to wear for painting.
    Paper towels
    Pencil, ruler and eraser
    Small table easel, or stand-up easel – something to hold your canvas pad
    Baby Wipes and bar of soap for clean-up

    What else do I need?

    All the materials you will need for this course can be purchased via the link below at a special 30% discount.
    If you already have your own materials, just check the contents of the pack to ensure you have everything you need.

    The pack includes:
    • Canson Canvas paper for painting exercises by a master artist, plus spare paper for painting practice in your own time
    • Bundle of hog-hair bristle brushes, Marcel Signature mop brush and Marcel Signature rigger
    • Schmincke professional-quality oil colour pack
    • Disposable (tear-off) palette
    • Photo reference materials
    • 1 graphite transfer sheet
    • Eye dropper
    • Slow-drying medium
    • Brush-holder
    • Metal palette knife

    What is provided

    • Digital Certificate of Attendance.
    • PDF booklet, packed with painting tips and tricks.
    • A friendly and supportive environment
    • Connection to the Bienarté art community.

    To purchase, see further below under “Related Products” and click on "Online Foundations in Oils Kit" and "click "Buy Now"

    What Our Students Say About Foundations in Oils

    "A great art course! Highly recommended for beginners or those that want to learn more skills. I did the 8-week oil painting course and was surprised with the quality produced by the class, including myself :-) A great teacher. Well-paced and a good atmosphere. Paint on!"

    • Mark Allen, Bienarté student
  • Gain Confidence In Oils | Ai Shah

    Now that you have acquired the basic knowledge for painting in Oils, it is time to apply those techniques in real time on a subject you might want to paint at home.

    The challenge at this stage of your learning is to keep the motivation going and not fall into procrastination.

    The best way is to enrol in a further six consecutive weeks to keep the momentum going as it is fresh in your mind. This is the best way to secure enough confidence before continuing at home in your own painting space.

    Goals

    • To complement your acquired learning from the 8-week Foundation in Oils course
    • To gain confidence and be ready to paint on your own

    What will I learn

    Learn the basic technique for painting still life, seascape and fabric:

    • Painting a subject containing fabric in monochrome
    • Opaque and transparent colours
    • Applying Oil colour layering and glazing

    Starting a new project:

    • Choosing the right support from a variety of options (canvas, board, paper, etc)
    • Understanding the process of composition
    • Choosing a subject
    • Planning the development stages from beginning to completion of your painting

    Content

    • Painting a subject containing fabric in monochrome from a photo provided
    • Starting your new project from your choice of photo or images
    • Applying colour over the monochrome fabric with glazing
    • Completing your own painting project, learning about varnishing and framing

    Who is this course suitable for

    While priority is given to students who have completed the 8-week Foundations in Oils course, this course is suitable for anyone with a basic practical understanding of Oil colours and their application

    About Your Tutor

    Ai Shah won the coveted Lethbridge 10,000 Art Award in 2010, with a small-scale water study. She has had numerous solo exhibitions of her work in Brisbane, as well as exhibiting at the Sydney and Melbourne art fairs. She is currently represented by the Lethbridge Gallery, where she is renowned for her stunning oil paintings of nature – most often featuring water – offering viewers a feeling of depth, calm and serenity…. much like Ai herself!

    Terms & Conditions

  • Gain Confidence In Oils | Marcel Desbiens

    Now that you have acquired the basic knowledge for painting in Oils, it is time to apply those techniques in real time on a subject you might want to paint at home.

    The challenge at this stage of your learning is to keep the motivation going and not fall into procrastination.

    The best way is to enrol in a further four consecutive weeks to keep the momentum going as it is fresh in your mind. This is the best way to secure enough confidence before flying out of the nest, at home in your own painting space.

    Goals

    • To complement your acquired learning from the 8-week Foundation in Oils course

    • To gain confidence and be ready to paint on your own

    What will I learn

    Learn the basic technique for painting still life, seascape and fabric:

    • Painting a subject containing fabric in monochrome
    • Opaque and transparent colours
    • Applying Oil colour layering and glazing

    Starting a new project:

    • Choosing the right support from a variety of options (canvas, board, paper, etc)
    • The process of composition
    • Choosing a subject
    • Planning the development stages from beginning to completion of your painting

    Content

    • Painting a subject containing fabric in monochrome from a photo provided
    • Starting your new project from your choice of photo or images
    • Applying colour over the monochrome fabric with glazing
    • Completing your own painting project, learning about varnishing and framing

    Who is this course suitable for

    While priority is given to students who have completed the 8-week Foundations in Oils course, this course is suitable for anyone with a basic practical understanding of Oil colours and their application.

    Terms & Conditions

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