Oil Painting Basics
A fresh & simple approach
Have you always wanted to try oil painting—but felt intimidated or unsure where to start?
You're not alone.
I still remember walking into my very first oil painting class. I was only 14 years old, and everyone else in the room was decades older than me. I felt completely out of place. If it wasn’t obvious by my age, it was obvious by the wide-eyed, overwhelmed look on my face.
I was a beginner—and I knew it.
But I wanted to learn so badly. I had ideas swirling in my head. I wanted to create paintings that felt meaningful and beautiful. I just needed someone to guide me, break things down, and help me take that first step.
And once I had the right instruction? Everything changed.
With a little guidance and hands-on practice, the fear melted away—and I was off and running.
If you’ve ever felt curious about oil painting but unsure or intimidated…I created this course just for you.
Maybe you:
- Have always wanted to paint but don’t know where to begin
- Feel drawn to creativity but crave a calm, restorative hobby
- Want something that helps you slow down, focus, and reconnect with yourself
- Love the look of oil paintings but worry the medium is “too complicated”
This course removes the overwhelm and replaces it with clarity, confidence, and joy.
Introducing: Oil Painting Basics
A Step-by-Step Online Course for Beginners
This online course gently guides you through your very first oil painting, from blank canvas to finished artwork—without pressure, perfectionism, or prior experience required.
By the end of the course, you won’t just understand oil painting…
You’ll have created a beautiful, original still life painting and feel confident enough to keep going on your own.
Why I Love Oil Painting (and Why You Might Too)
- It's relaxing: Oil painting has been my go-to practice for slowing down, quieting my mind, and re-centering throughout every season of life.
- It's rewarding: Painting taught me how to release perfectionism and trust the process—on the canvas and beyond.
- It's renewing: It nurtures creativity, encourages mindfulness, and brings genuine joy. Few things feel as satisfying as watching a painting come to life under your own hands.
What You’ll Learn in This Course
In this full-length, beginner-friendly class, I guide you step by step as we each create our own still life oil painting.
You’ll learn:
- Oil painting fundamentals made simple and approachable
- How to paint a still life using oil paints
- Color mixing techniques (with an entire lesson devoted just to mixing!)
- Brushwork, layering, and keeping your colors fresh
- How to know when your painting is finished (no overworking!)
- How to clean up safely and easily
- How to choose your next painting subject with confidence
Your Project:
You’ll create a 9x12” still life painting of a pear, learning:
- Supplies and setup
- How to arrange a still life
- Elements of strong composition
- Preparing your canvas properly
Course Format & Access
- 4.5 hours of high-quality video instruction
- Broken into clear, manageable lessons
- Complete it in one day (think: creative retreat) or over several short sessions
- Perfect for evenings, weekends, or even naptime
The course is pre-recorded, so you can:
- Learn at your own pace
- Pause, rewind, and rewatch as needed
- Access the content anytime, anywhere
You’ll also receive lifetime access, so this course can grow with you
Easy to Get Started
I’ve included a complete supply list with direct links, making it easy to gather what you need. (And chances are—you already have a few of the supplies at home!)
Bonus: Discover Your Unique Painting Style
Included with the course is a bonus discussion where I share my best advice on:
- Developing a signature painting style
- Trusting your instincts as an artist
- Finding your creative voice without comparison
By the End of This Course, You Will:
✔ Have completed a one-of-a-kind oil painting
✔ Understand oil painting fundamentals
✔ Feel confident, inspired, and no longer intimidated
✔ Have the tools to continue painting on your own
FAQ
I have no painting experience. Will I really be able to do this?
Yes—absolutely.
This course was designed specifically for beginners who have never painted with oils before. I guide you step by step, explaining why we’re doing each part of the process so you can truly understand what’s happening—not just follow along.
Your finished pear may look different than mine, and that’s not only okay—it’s expected. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is learning, building confidence, and enjoying the process. If you show up with patience and curiosity, you will complete the painting and learn far more than you expect.
I have been oil painting for awhile. Will this still be helpful?
Yes, I believe you will! Over the years, I’ve studied with many different artists, and one thing I’ve learned is that everyone approaches oil painting differently. This course offers a fresh, simplified perspective that can help reinforce fundamentals, clarify color mixing, and refine your process.
Even if you’ve painted before, you may discover new insights, techniques, or ways of thinking that deepen your practice and help you paint with more ease and confidence.
Will you be teaching us how to mix the colors we need?
Yes! Color mixing is one of the biggest hurdles for beginners, so I’ve made it a priority in this course. You’ll receive two full lessons dedicated entirely to color mixing, where I break things down in a clear, practical way.
You’ll learn principles you can use not just for this painting, but for every future painting you create.
Are oil paints safe to use in my home?
Yes—when used thoughtfully, oil painting is very safe to do at home.
Oil paints themselves have very little odor and are primarily made from ground pigments and linseed oil (derived from the flax plant). I recommend avoiding certain heavy-metal pigments (such as cadmium, cobalt, and zinc) and skipping strong-smelling painting mediums, which are completely unnecessary for this class.
I’ll provide:
- A complete list of safe, beginner-friendly supplies
- Guidance on creating a comfortable, low-odor workspace
- Best practices for ventilation (such as cracking a window when using Gamsol)
We’ll cover all of this in the course so you feel confident and informed.
Can I use acrylics instead of oil paints for this class?
This course is specifically designed for oil painting.
While you could apply some concepts—like color mixing, composition, and brushwork—oil and acrylic paints behave very differently. Using acrylics for this class may feel frustrating and limit your experience.
If you’re primarily an acrylic painter, I encourage you to give oils a try. Many artists are surprised by how forgiving, flexible, and enjoyable oil painting can be—and you may discover it’s a medium you truly love.
Meet Your Instructor
Rebecca Deneau
Hi, I’m Rebecca.
I fell in love with oil painting at a young age and have been painting ever since. I began taking classes as a teen, continued through college, and have studied with established artists throughout the years.
Oil painting is a medium rich with history, versatility, and beauty—and it’s one I loved so much that I turned it into a career.
I now run a successful fine art business in Northern Michigan, have taught private lessons and live workshops, participated in juried shows, won a People’s Choice Award, and have been featured in local publications.
I can’t wait to show you just how enjoyable—and accessible—oil painting can be.
Oil Painting Basics
A Fresh & Simple Approach
If you complete the course and aren’t fully satisfied, simply reach out—I want you to feel confident and supported.
Not ready to sign up yet?
Get my free "5 Secrets of Oil Painting" Guide
And get started! In this guide, I share my secrets for simplifying my process and how I’ve found joy in oil painting.