Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
First in a series of oil painting lessons for beginners. The primary focus for this representational style is shapes and values: shapes of the objects, shapes of the light areas and shapes of the dark areas. SEE everything as simple as you can as this would be just the base layer in a more complex painting. You need to start with what is simple. Use simple materials and practice seeing the simple things.
Painting is a Visual Language. When learning a verbal language you want to speak it isn't necessary to conjugate verbs right away. When learning a visual language it isn't necessary to learn color theory right away. I propose that you start right away by learning to see so you can express what you choose for others to see in your art. I intend to share a lot about the Visual Language in this series and how to express it in your art in the way YOU choose to express it.
Basic Starter Materials used:
• Newsprint paper pad, because it is cheap, not precious, only for practice, and because you cannot sell what you do or give it away you will practice.
• #6 synthetic bristle brush
• white and burnt sienna oil paint (you can use any one color plus white, black and white is great for practicing seeing values)
• denim rags are tough and great for wiping off oil paint
• styrofoam plate for a palette
• Eco House Citrus Thinner or Citrusolv or Odorless Turps
Thank you for your interest.
Your comments are appreciated.
Kim Victoria
First in a series of oil painting lessons for beginners. The primary focus for this representational style is shapes and values: shapes of the objects, shapes of the light areas and shapes of the dark areas. SEE everything as simple as you can as this would be just the base layer in a more complex painting. You need to start with what is simple. Use simple materials and practice seeing the simple things.
Painting is a Visual Language. When learning a verbal language you want to speak it isn't necessary to conjugate verbs right away. When learning a visual language it isn't necessary to learn color theory right away. I propose that you start right away by learning to see so you can express what you choose for others to see in your art. I intend to share a lot about the Visual Language in this series and how to express it in your art in the way YOU choose to express it.
Basic Starter Materials used:
• Newsprint paper pad, because it is cheap, not precious, only for practice, and because you cannot sell what you do or give it away you will practice.
• #6 synthetic bristle brush
• white and burnt sienna oil paint (you can use any one color plus white, black and white is great for practicing seeing values)
• denim rags are tough and great for wiping off oil paint
• styrofoam plate for a palette
• Eco House Citrus Thinner or Citrusolv or Odorless Turps
Thank you for your interest.
Your comments are appreciated.
Kim Victoria
