DEMYSTIFYING OIL PAINTING | ED REYNOLDS
Dates: 28th & 29th February
Dates: 25th & 26th April
Times: 10am - 4pm
Location: Russborough House
Skill Level: all levels welcome
Please see detailed workshop 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 WORKSHOP
Join artist Ed Reynolds for a comprehensive series of oil painting workshops set within the inspiring surroundings of Russborough House.
Designed specifically for beginners and those returning to painting, this programme gently demystifies the process of working in oils — from understanding materials and mixing colour, to mastering brushwork, composition, and layering techniques.
Through clear demonstrations and supportive individual guidance, you’ll gain the confidence to create expressive, balanced paintings while developing your own visual language.
Each session builds progressively, allowing participants to move from foundational exercises to more complex compositions in a relaxed and creative environment.
What to Expect
• Step-by-step demonstrations in traditional oil techniques . Preparing surfaces (gesso) and priming before painting
Guidance on choosing and using materials safely and effectively
Exercises in tonal value, colour harmony, and composition
Work on still life, landscape, and abstracted studies
Building paintings in layers—from underpainting to finishing glazes
Supportive critique and discussion to encourage personal growth
By the end of the weekend, students will have completed a number of oil studies and at least one or two finished paintings, gaining both technical understanding and creative confidence.
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1. Mastery of Materials: The Painter's Toolkit
Understand the essential materials of oil painting: from selecting the right brushes and paints to preparing your canvas and using mediums safely.
Learn how to set up an efficient and organized workspace, making the technical side of painting second nature.
2. The Foundation of Colour: Mixing with Confidence
Demystify colour theory by learning to create a balanced and versatile palette.
Develop the crucial skill of mixing accurate colours, from subtle skin tones and sky hues to rich shadows and vibrant highlights.
Learn how to create harmony and mood through your colour choices.
3. The Language of Brushwork: Expressing Form and Energy
Discover how different brushes, strokes, and application techniques can create a variety of effects—from soft blends to dynamic textures.
Move beyond simple filling-in and learn how intentional brushwork can describe form, suggest detail, and bring energy to your paintings.
4. The Art of Composition: Creating Balanced Paintings
Learn the fundamental principles of composition to arrange elements on your canvas in a way that is visually engaging and balanced.
Explore how to guide the viewer’s eye and create a focal point, using the classical beauty of Russborough House and its grounds as your inspiration.
5. The Layering Process: Building Depth and Richness
Understand the traditional "fat-over-lean" approach to building an oil painting in stages.
Practice creating underpaintings to establish value and composition, then learn to apply subsequent layers for greater depth, luminosity, and detail.
6. Developing Your Visual Language
Move beyond simple technique and begin to understand how to express your own unique perspective.
Through individual guidance, you'll be encouraged to explore personal choices in colour, subject matter, and mark-making to develop a painting style that feels authentically yours.
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Required Basic Materials List
Oil Paints (Artist or student grade)
• TitaniumWhite
• FrenchUltramarine
• BurntUmber
• AlizarinCrimson
• CadmiumRed
• CadmiumYellowBrushes
• MediumFilbert–Size 8 or 10 (synthetic or hog bristle)• SmallRound - Size2or3(synthetic or hog bristle)
Surfaces
• Pre-Primed canvas boards or stretched canvases,A3(30×40cm) or similar
Mediums & Tools
• Odourless solvent (Sansodor/Gamsol)
• Refined linseed oil or solvent-free gel medium
• Palette knife
• Palette (wooden or disposable paper)
• Rags or paper towel
• Apron or old shirt
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
