Wednesdays 1:30 – 4:00pm, January 14– March 18, 2026
-no class February 18-
9-Week Art Clinic with J. Jordan Bruns
About Just Getting Started: Oil and Acrylic Painting
Just Getting Started: Foundation Painting will guide you through the basics of translating your visual world to the canvas while learning the fundamentals of painting. Our class sizes are small to ensure you have all the assistance you need while learning composition, paint application, and color theory. Students will gain knowledge from working from drawing and color mixing exercises, still life and landscape. Minimum age 14. 9 sessions.
Schedule of Classes
Class 1 – January 14
Demonstration/Lecture: Materials and Drawing
Jordan will introduce all materials used in both oil and acrylic painting. If you are still deciding between the two, note that oil paint is often easier for learning color mixing, as it stays wet longer and does not shift in color as it dries. We will cover paint brands, mediums, and surfaces. The session will conclude with a short drawing exercise focused on sighting and measuring, essential skills for accurate painting.
If you plan to purchase your own materials rather than use the class materials pass, it is best to wait until after this class but before the next.
Materials: newsprint paper, charcoal, kneaded erasers (provided in class)
Class 2 – January 21
Demonstration/Lecture: Color Theory and Mixing
This session focuses on understanding color and how to mix it effectively. We will discuss color temperature, value, and chroma, along with brush types and handling. Students will complete exercises mixing colors from paint chips to train the eye for accuracy and color relationships. Through demonstration and guided practice, you will learn how to organize your palette, mix predictable color combinations, and gain confidence controlling hue, value, and intensity.
This exercise will be done with a palette knife, no brushes yet.
SNOW DAY – January 28
Class 3 – February 4
Demonstration/Lecture: Composition and Beginning the Painting, Still Life
This class focuses on how to begin a painting using still life as the subject. We will discuss both direct and indirect methods of painting. Topics include surface preparation, the first block-in or imprimatura, composition, and establishing value structure.
By the end of class, each student should have a drawing or imprimatura on their canvas ready for further development.
Class 4 – February 11
Lecture: Mediums, Solvents, and Layering
Today you will begin developing your still life painting, either continuing to build directly on your drawing or replacing the imprimatura with color. We will cover how to use painting mediums and solvents safely and effectively while exploring layering techniques for depth and luminosity.
NO CLASS – February 18
Class 5 – February 25
Finish Still Life Painting, Work Day
A full work session to continue and refine your paintings. Jordan will provide individualized feedback and guidance on composition, color, and brushwork.
Class 6 – March 4
Lecture: Landscape Painting from Photograph
We will begin a new painting based on a personal photograph. Choose an image you have taken yourself, ideally one with a meaningful connection to the location. We will discuss how to translate photographic information into painterly decisions while maintaining atmosphere and depth.
Class 7 – March 11
Lecture: Atmospheric Perspective
Continue developing your landscape painting. We will focus on creating spatial depth through shifts in color temperature, value, and edge handling.
Class 8 – March 18
Landscape Painting from Photograph
Continue and complete your landscape painting. Students who finish early may begin a second landscape or a new piece using similar techniques.
Class 9 – March 25
Finish Painting Day and Supplemental Exercises
Final work session. If you finish your painting early, additional color-mixing exercises will be available to strengthen your understanding of hue, value, and chroma relationships.
“Materials Pass” is an optional fee that rents out all the materials you would need for your Art Clinic class. For this session of “Just Getting Started Art Clinic”, the materials pass $50 for painting. Please note that with Material Pass, you keep your artwork but are leasing the drawing/painting tools (like brushes and palette). If you select to pay the Materials Pass, please email Jordan Bruns, to let him know ASAP. You can always email with any questions.
For Acrylic Painting Supply List- please email jjordanbruns@gmail.com
Suggested Supply List for Oil Painting
Pallet
Oil painters- I recommend a big wood pallet or “grey matters” disposable palette paper
Surface
*3 canvas boards/panels/canvases 18×24” -ish
Brushes- (suggested)- *Natural Hair Brushes or Synthetic Brushes
Filberts- size 4, size 8, Rounds- size 4, size 6, Flat- size 8 and 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
“Master’s Brush Cleaner and Preserver” soap disk
“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)
Stick of Vine/willow Charcoal
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, Cadmium Red (optional), Quinacridone Magenta, (Permanent) Alizarin Crimson (optional), Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Viridian Green, Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber, Chromatic Black, Titanium White (Big tube)
Suggested Material List for Acrylic Painters
Pallet
Acrylic painters- I recommend Gray “disposable” pallet paper though there are lots of options
Surface
*3 canvas boards/panels/canvases 18×24”
Brushes- (suggested)- *Natural Hair Brushes or Synthetic Brushes
Rounds- Size 4, size 6, Filberts– Size 8, size 10, Flat– Size 12
I use “Robert Simmons Signet Natural Bristle” brushes and “Winsor Newton Monarch Synthetic” brushes, you can use any you like as long as they are oil or acrylic brushes and have a long handle
Cleaners
Any soap that is not too harsh, Murphy’s Oil Soap is great
Mediums (what you add to increase the paint “flow”)
Slow Dry Blending Medium
Other
Metal Pallet knife/painting knife (Liquitex brand, #12, #13 or #14)
Medium cup (Or small baby food jar to hold medium)
Stick of Vine Charcoal
Something to carry everything, (art box, French easel, portfolio, back back, etc)
Paper towel
Suggested Paint (small tubes, 37-40ml) –For Acrylic either “Liquitex” or “Golden” brands
Cadmium Yellow Pale/Light, Naples Yellow, Cadmium Orange (optional), Cadmium Red, Quinacridone Magenta, Permanent Alizarin Crimson (optional), French Ultramarine, Cerulean Blue, Viridian Green, Sap Green (optional), Yellow Ochre, Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber, Titanium White (Big tube)