Oil Painting
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£695
- Start Date(s): 30 June 2025, 4 October 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
30 June - 4 July 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
4 October - 1 November 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Unlock your creative potential and dive into the exciting world of oil painting on our dynamic short course.
From beginners eager to explore this traditional medium, to experienced painters seeking to push the boundaries of their practice; whatever your experience you’ll learn the principles of oil painting and how to create different effects using the ‘alla prima’ method of painting wet paint into wet paint.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practice. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Here's what our previous attendees said:
'From doing this course I have learnt new technics and have a better understanding of how to use oil paints.'
'The whole course was perfect!'
What you’ll study
This course is a comprehensive introduction to painting in oils that will build your confidence and encourage expressive mark making.
You’ll learn a variety of tricks and techniques to achieve vibrant colour, textural detail and contrasting tone through the classic subjects of Sky and Landscape, Expressive Seascape and a Still Life.
You will complete three paintings, supported by one to one tuition, demonstrations of specific materials and techniques, and supportive group critiques.
Whether you aspire to exhibit your work, start a career as an artist, or simply explore your creative side, this course will provide you with the tools and inspiration to thrive in the world of contemporary oil painting.
During this course, you will:
- learn to mix and manipulate oil paints to achieve desired colours without getting ‘muddy’
- explore various styles in oil painting through landscape, seascape and still life.
- experiment with texture using a variety of tools and techniques
- practice creating depth and tactile qualities to your painting
- learn how to prepare your canvas with a coloured ground
By the end of this course you will have honed your technical skills, developed your unique artistic voice, and gained a deeper understanding of the medium and all it can offer.
You’ll leave with three finished paintings and the knowledge to take your own painting in whichever way you choose
- Great Big Sky: Colour and mark-making
- Wild, Expressive Seascape: Expressive action
- Still Life: Texture
Introduction to big brushes and mark-making into wet paint (alla prima)
The sky is the perfect subject to learn the basics of oil painting, whilst enjoying a multitude of expressive techniques without the danger of getting ‘muddy’.
Using expressive mark making and creating depth, working with palette knives and brushes on a pre-painted coloured canvas. Developing your paintings as the day progresses, you’ll work from dark to light tones.
Discover how you can replicate the glossy smoothness of a grape, the fuzzy softness of a peach, and the pulpy texture of a sliced orange in your paintings.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This is a practical course and the subject is underpinned by theory and demonstrations.
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University City Campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course could be a means to progress within fine art into different materials or approaches.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
This course is part of the Summer Painting Studio; after this course you could progress onto the Abstract, Portraiture and Landscape Painting courses.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright painting studios in which to develop your ideas.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some painting experience are welcome.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £695.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
You will also need to bring with you:
Your course fees include everything you need to dive right into painting—premium oil paints, quality canvases, brushes, and more, so you can focus on creating with professional equipment.
You may also wish to bring with you:
- any paints, brushes, canvas, and artists’ equipment you already have
- cotton rags
- glass jars
- old credit card / flat plastic object for scraping
- sharp spikey tool(s) like a small skewer from the kitchen, hair grip, nails, old scissors.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
30 June - 4 July 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
4 October - 1 November 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all short courses in fine art.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813