Oil Painting Studio Program
at Driftless Art Academy
The Oil Painting Studio Program is the mainstay of our education programs. Here you can start without having ever touched a paintbrush, and within a short time, create outstanding paintings. Most of our students are painting at or near to a professional level within two to three years of consistent study. But don't think this is hardcore study time! Our students also say that the studio is one of their happy places, where they can relax into the process of painting and find relief from life's stressors.
Section 01
Grisaille Painting
Our work begins in grayscale, as students begin to explore the different pieces that come together to create beautiful paintings. Our focus here is on learning to use brushes, paint, and canvases to integrate understanding of shadows and light, different kinds of edges and value. We also bring in drawing and painting from life almost from the start. Most students will spend anywhere from 4-8 months learning to make beautiful paintings in rich shades of gray.
Section 02
Basic Color Painting
As soon as students complete the Grisaille Painting unit, we introduce color mixing and all the knowledge of color theory that you need to mix any color. Because their skills in value and edgework are already honed, bringing incredible color paintings to life is made much simpler. We also continue to improve and add to drawing and painting from life. Once-per-week students can expect to spend six to eight months in this part of the program.
Section 3
Advanced Direct Painting
After completing about a year of classes in grisaille and basic color painting, students have a high degree of skill and are ready for serious, professional-level painting. The work we do in this unit, which takes about a year of consistent, regular classes, is increasingly complex. Students in this unit may also begin specializing their work toward a particular kind of painting, such as portraiture, still life, or landscape. All students will spend time in each of these areas, as skills brought to the easel by all of them contribute to success.
Section 4
Advanced Techniques in Realism
Students finishing section 3 will come to realize they are able to paint anything, to the degree of refinement they choose, if they are willing to put the time and focus into it. Now it is time for them to add a repertoire of additional key techniques to their skillset. Over a period of one to two years, students will learn to create paintings in layers, add depth and atmosphere, and begin exploring imaginative realism.
Section 05
Master Copies
Once students have mastered multiple techniques at a professional level, they will be able to dissect the great works of the past and create masterful copies. In this, students are working to not only create a visual representation of a master work, but to understand and replicate the original artists' techniques. Master copies are a critical step toward being able to pull together all of the different approaches for independence in art.
Section 06
Professional Directions in Oil Painting
We encourage all Driftless Art Academy students to push toward conceptualizing, preparing for, and executing independent works. This starts from the moment we guide them in setting up their first composition to draw and paint, and is woven throughout the training process. Eventually they are well-prepared to develop their own, independent projects on any scale, and can approach them with confidence, knowing that not only are they able to solve most problems in their art, but that they have backup from their community of artists.
