4 Week Series: Oil Painting 101 with Blue House Art

Weekly from 6 - 8:30 pm (September 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th) at The Bright Spot, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA

Learn how to paint with oils—slowly, safely, and with confidence.

Have you always wanted to try oil painting but didn’t know where to start?

This 4-session workshop is designed to take the mystery and fear out of working with oil paint. Whether you're a total beginner or looking to deepen your existing foundation, this hands-on class will guide you through the full process of oil painting—from materials and color mixing to layering and finishing techniques.

Over the course of a month, we’ll work together to build a painting step by step, allowing for proper drying time between sessions. Along the way, you’ll learn how to handle your tools, mix colors intentionally, and understand how oils behave so you can keep creating long after the workshop ends.

You'll learn:

• Oil painting materials + setup (brushes, surfaces, mediums, safety)
  
• How to mix and control color confidently
• How to start a painting with an underpainting
• Techniques for layering, blending, and building texture
• How to work with drying times and finish your painting properly
  
  Schedule:
  • 4 weekly sessions (September 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th)
  • Each session is 6-8:30 pm
  • You’ll work on the same painting across the four sessions

  
  

  Pricing & Materials:

  This 4-session workshop includes everything you need to get started with oil painting, no guesswork or art store runs required. We'll provide the paints, canvases, and brushes. There will be an option during the class to purchase a take-home materials kit if you fall in love with oil painting and want to continue your practice! 
  
  
  About Your Instructor: Ali Afonso is a Boston-based visual artist working across painting, murals, and mixed media. She believes that art is for everyone, and that learning how to paint doesn’t have to feel intimidating or overly technical. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or returning after a long break, she can’t wait to paint with you!