BRENDA MALLEY | MAKING A WAVE IN OILS
online tutorial Summary
In this online course, learn to capture the dynamic energy of the sea with master artist Brenda Malley. Brenda will guide you through the entire process of creating a dramatic seascape, from the initial compositional sketch to the final, sparkling highlights.
You will learn to master a variety of techniques, from using brushes for soft, blended skies to employing the palette knife for textured foam and pebbly beaches. Brenda generously shares her professional methods, including how to mix the perfect water and sky colours, create a sense of light and shadow on the waves, and build up layers of paint for a realistic, vibrant effect.
This is a relaxing and immersive experience, allowing you to watch a professional artist at work and apply her techniques to your own painting. By the end, you will have the skills and confidence to bring the movement and beauty of the coast to life on your canvas.
Course Preview
Course FAQ
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Brenda welcomes you into her creative process, showing you exactly how she:
Sets Up Her Palette: She explains her logical system of arranging cool colours on one side and warms on the other, and shares her favourite paints, like the fast-drying Griffin Alkyd white that helps her work more quickly.
Thinks About Composition: Brenda reveals how she considers the composition before she even starts painting, explaining her thought process behind placing the horizon and the breaking wave to create a balanced and engaging scene.
Works in Layers: She patiently builds the painting passage by passage, teaching you her method for establishing the sky, the background sea, the wave, the foam, and the sand without the colours turning muddy.
Masters Her Tools: You'll see Brenda's signature techniques firsthand: using a soft brush for blending luminous clouds and a palette knife—which she considers like an extension of her "little finger"—for applying thick, textured foam that catches the light.
Adds the Final Magic: Brenda shows you her tricks for creating realism, like splattering paint for sea spray and pebbles, and demonstrates how to step back and make those crucial final adjustments to strengthen the painting.
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Brenda is very specific about her materials, which helps you achieve the same effects she demonstrates.
1. Paints (Oil Colours)
Brenda uses a selection of cool and warm colours, arranged logically on her palette.
Blues:
Cerulean Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Indigo
Greens:
Sap Green
Viridian
Prussian Green
Warm Colours:
Cadmium Red
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Yellow
Cadmium Yellow Light
White:
Griffin Alkyd White (This is her key recommendation because it's fast-drying, allowing you to work more quickly.)
2. Brushes
Type: Brenda uses acrylic brushes for their soft, springy flexibility.
Variety: A mixture of sizes, including some wider flats or filberts for washes and blending, and smaller rounds for details.
3. Palette Knives
Style: Two knives of the same shape but different sizes. She describes them as oval at the tip.
Usage: A small one for fine details and a larger one for applying broad areas of texture (like the foam).
4. Painting Mediums & Solvents
Odorless Solvent (Thinner): She uses Zest It (an odor-free brand) for thinning paints for initial washes and for cleaning brushes.
Clear Painting Medium: An oilier, richer medium used later in the painting process to improve flow and gloss.
5. Surfaces
A primed canvas or canvas board of your preferred size.
6. Other Essentials
Palette: A traditional wooden palette or a disposable paper palette for mixing colours.
Rags or Kitchen Towel: Essential for wiping brushes, correcting mistakes, and softening blends.
Containers: Two small jars or dippers for the solvent and the painting medium.
By gathering these materials, you'll be perfectly equipped to practice the techniques Brenda Malley so expertly demonstrates.
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Basic understanding of oil painting required.
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The course is composed of one video, a total of 33 mins. Enjoy the benefit of being able to watch and follow along at your leisure for the duration of your access.
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What’s included in my purchase?
You’ll get unlimited access to this individual course, including all videos and supporting materials, for the full 3-month period.How does the 3-month access work?
This is a one-time payment that gives you access to the course for three months. There’s no automatic renewal - your access simply ends after the 3-month period.How do I access my course?
Once you’ve purchased the course, simply log in to your account at schoolhouseforart.com. Click on Account at the top right-hand side of the page, and your course will be available there.Can I extend my access after 3 months?
Yes! If you’d like continued access, you can purchase the course again at any time.What happens after 3 months?
Once the 3-month period is over, your access will expire. You won’t be charged again unless you choose to make another purchase.What if I only need access for a few weeks?
That’s fine. You’ll have access for the full 3 months, so you can move through the material at your own pace.Are refunds available?
We don’t offer refunds, but you’ll have access to the course for the full 3-month period you’ve paid for.Does this purchase give me access to other courses?
This purchase covers one individual course for 3 months. Other courses are available separately.Are there any technical requirements?
All you need is a stable internet connection and a modern web browser to enjoy the course.Can I share my access?
Course access is for individual use only and can’t be shared.Need help or having technical issues?
We’re happy to help. Just reach out to us at info@schoolhouseforart.com