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Alla Prima Art ClinicObservational Painting

Winter – Observational Oil Painting

By March 30, 2015March 30th, 2025No Comments

Tuesdays, January 13 – March 17, 2026, 10:00 – 12:30pm

with J. Jordan Bruns

It’s said that one painting from life is worth ten from a photo. This class focuses on strengthening skills in composition, color mixing, and expressive brushwork while working from still life and the live figure. Students will expand their understanding of how to build a painting over multiple sittings, explore alla prima techniques, and learn the pros and cons of each approach.  Minimum age 14.

This is an intermediate to advanced level Art Clinic.

Schedule of Classes:

Class 1) January 13 – TBA

Class 2) January 20– TBA

Class 3 January 27 – TBA

Class 4) February 3 – TBA

Class, 5) February 10 – TBA

–No Class Date Feb 17–

Class, 6) February 24 – TBA

Class, 7) March 3 – TBA

Class, 8) March 10 – TBA

Class, 9) March 17 – TBA

Suggested Supply List for Oil Painting

Pallet

Oil painters- I recommend a big wood pallet or “grey matters” disposable palette paper.  If you are going the wood route, let me know and we can talk more. 

Surface

Cheap canvas paper

Brushes- (suggested)- *Natural Hair Brushes or Synthetic Brushes 

Filberts- size 4, size 8, size 12, Rounds- size 6, size 10, Flat- size 12

I like “Robert Simmons Signet Natural Bristle” brushes and “Jack Richardson Grey Matters” brushes, you can use any brand you like as long as they are “oil or acrylic” brushes and have a long handle.  Get a variety of sizes but aim on the bigger size rather than smaller if you are just starting out.

Cleaners

“Gamsol” mineral spirits

Brush cleaning tank – to put Gamsol in, OR you can make this with an old salsa jar and chicken wire

Mediums (what you add to increase the paint “flow”) !!! optional for oil!!!

“Solvent free gel” by Gamblin

Other

Liquitex brand palette knife, small knife #14

Medium cup (Or small baby food jar to hold medium)

Something to carry everything, (art box, French easel, portfolio, back back, etc)

Paper Towel

Suggested Paint (small tubes, 37-40ml)

For Oil Paint, my favorite brand is “M. Graham Paint” with “Gamblin” and “Holbein” to fill in any gaps.  “Quinacridone Magenta” isn’t available in M. Graham but is available in both Gamblin and Holbein.  You do not have to be brand loyal, and many artists mix and match brands.  

Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Orange (optional), Cadmium Red, Quinacridone Magenta, (Permanent) Alizarin Crimson (optional), Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Viridian Green, Sap Green (optional), Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, Titanium White (Big tube)