LEI0001 - Oil and Acrylic Painting Studio

Course Description

Immerse yourself in the world of painting with this inclusive, hands-on course, designed for artists of every experience level. Explore the fundamentals of painting using both oil and acrylics through engaging demonstrations, step-by-step instruction, and guided studio practice. You’ll learn essential techniques such as color mixing, brushwork, and canvas preparation, beginning with oils and expanding into a range of acrylic methods.

No previous art experience is required—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore!

Supplies must be purchased prior to the first session; please consult the Supply List at ce.harpercollege.edu for details.

Course Outline

Throughout the course, you will:

• Develop an understanding of color theory, composition, and how to capture light, form, and space with paint.

• Build foundational skills like stretching and preparing your own canvases, caring for tools, and selecting materials.

• Work on projects that range from quick studies to more developed, multi-session paintings.

• Explore painting from life, including still-life, landscape, and personal subject matter, while being encouraged to express your own ideas and vision.

• Gain appreciation of painting’s history and contemporary practices through presentations and group discussions.

• Receive individualized instruction: whether you are just beginning or seeking advanced guidance, the instructor will differentiate lessons to match your experience and personal goals.
   

Notes

Ivory black 
Titanium White
Cadmium Red or another bright red pigment 
Alizarin Crimson or another dark madder pigment
Iron-Oxide Red- (Indian Red, Venetian Red, Red Ocher) 
Yellow Ocher
Cobalt or Ultramarine Blue

Surfaces
I would like you to have at least one painting surface ready for each class. Preferably, nothing smaller than an 8x10”. If you are able, I’d like you to take some time to prepare your surfaces. This can mean starting with store-bought canvas that you’ve gessoed more layers onto. You can also gesso MDF boards or wood surfaces. If you bring in gessoed paper remember to give it a backing so you can use it on the easels. Please, no store-bought cardboard canvas panels.

Brushes
Various sizes (old, new, industrial)
I prefer hog hairbrushes but bring whatever you fancy

Mediums/Solvents
Please no Turpentine, xylen, or any other noxious liquids. Odorless solvents such as Turpenoid and Gamsol should be used in place of turpentine. For a painting medium, I recommend starting with a solvent and mixing in linseed oil or preferred oil when needed. If you’d like to experiment with the other mediums I have listed a few below. Gamblin’s Solvent-Free, Grumbacher oil painting medium II, Old Masters Maroger, Neo- megilp, gel, Richard Schmid medium (1-part damar, 1 part stand, 3 parts solvent)

Palettes
Tabletop glass and/or handheld wooden pallets are preferred. You can make a handheld palette out of lightweight plywood, MDF, Masonite, or even a firm foam core like 

Gatorboard. Always remember to clean your pallets at the end of the day. If you are using wood be sure to oil it up.

If you have any questions concerning supplies? Please call the Community Music and Arts Center at 847.925.6303 or send us an email at cmac@harpercollege.edu

Occasionally, Continuing Education courses are cancelled due to low enrollment. Cancellation decisions are made three (3) days in advance of the start date of the course. We highly recommend that you do not purchase supplies and/or textbooks until you are sure that the class has not been cancelled.
 

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Instructors

• Angela Redmond, Art Instructor (Painting), Water Color, etc.