INDIRECT PAINTING IN OILS | NICHOLAS ROBINSON
Day & Time: Mondays, 2-5pm
Format: In-studio
Location: Enniskerry
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Please see detailed class information below
If this course is fully booked or not currently scheduled, go ahead add your name to the waiting list HERE.
Payment plans available contact us directly
aBOUT THE CLASS
The luminous quality found in traditional oil paintings is often achieved through the indirect method - a layered approach to painting that creates depth and radiance. This course demystifies that process, offering a step-by-step guidance from artist Nicholas Robinson, to a technique that is both accessible for beginners and rich with depth for experienced painters.
Working from simple still-life setups allows participants to focus fully on mastering the method without the distraction of a complex subject. The course walks through every stage of creating a light-filled, archival painting. This includes preparing the canvas through proper sizing and priming, laying down an imprimatura as an initial transparent wash, creating preliminary colour studies to plan the work, and building up the painting in translucent layers to achieve a glowing, three-dimensional effect.
Each day combines clear group instruction with dedicated one-on-one critique, ensuring participants receive the personalised guidance needed to become comfortable with the materials and techniques. By the end of the workshop, each artist will have completed a fully resolved still-life painting and gained a comprehensive understanding of how to create work that is both beautiful and built to last.
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This 6-week course provides a comprehensive introduction to the indirect method of oil painting, guiding you through each stage of creating a luminous, archival still-life painting. Over the duration of the course, you will learn:
The principles of the indirect painting method and why it produces work with exceptional depth and radiance.
How to properly prepare a canvas for layered painting, including sizing and priming techniques.
Techniques for creating and applying an imprimatura to establish a harmonious mid-tone foundation.
The process of developing preliminary colour studies to plan values, palette, and composition.
How to build up a painting through successive translucent layers, moving from thin washes to opaque details.
Methods for refining form, edges, and highlights to bring a still-life painting to completion.
Best practices for varnishing and protecting finished work to ensure its longevity.
A complete, repeatable workflow for applying the indirect method to future projects with confidence.
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The basic materials list is:
• a canvas primed with jesso. Please make sure you prime your canvas in advance! Even store bought pre-primed canvases will need to be removed from packaging and another application or two of jesso. Any questions please get in touch.
• Brushes – recommended below.
• Palette
• Palette knife
• Black/ raw umber /red /ochre /white oils
• A preferred medium - (Nicholas would use linseed oil)
** please note, no solvent allowed in studio – sansodor ok but not necessary.
The detailed materials list is:
• brown baking paper (for storing oil paint)
• Bar of ordinary household soap (for cleaning brushes). Nick will teach students how to clean brushes with veg oil that he will provide. No solvents needed.
• small palette cup & empty jam jar.
Oil-paints.Michael Harding/ Old Holland recommended
1. Raw Umber
2. Titanium White
3. Yellow ochre
4. Cadmium red (cad hue not an alternative)
5. Ivory black
Brushes:
A range of about 10+ flat and filbert brushes in different sizes. From Evans art shop I suggest:
• Winton Flats 1 to 4
• Winton Filberts 1 to 8
• Winton Short Flat Brights 2 to 8
• Richard Oliver Flat Hogs 0 to 4• Richard Oliver Hog Filberts 1 to 6 Also the Mr. Price Royal & Langnickel brushes are fine.
Get 2 packets of those and you’re away in a hack.
• small hand mirror - not essential
