8 Ways Oil Painting Classes in New York City Will Improve Your Art Skills

If you think that painting looks like fun but aren't sure if you're artistic enough to do it yourself, oil painting classes in New York City will have you wielding the paintbrush like a pro in no time! You will be surprised at how easy it is to develop oil painting basics and learn how to paint your own art pieces. In addition to developing art skills, painting is a wonderful way to unwind and mindfully relax. If the past few years have been stressful for you (and who haven't they been stressful for?), learning how to paint is a great step towards taking proactive action for a more balanced life in 2022. 

Whether you’re after bachelorette party ideas in Brooklyn, or you need fun team building activities in Manhattan, there are plenty of NYC workshops covering oil painting for beginners. Expert teachers will be on hand to answer any questions that you have about how to paint with oils, guiding you through this artistic practice to help you to make the most of your painting class.

New York City is big, and it’s busy so it’s very easy to get lost in the city’s pace and forget to prioritize yourself. If you notice yourself feeling a little burned out, stressed, or anxious, it might be time to reconnect with yourself and find a hobby that will improve your wellbeing and inner balance. If this sounds like you, you’re in luck, as New York City oil painting classes are the perfect opportunity to do so. 

Painting is a creative practice, but it also has real therapeutic benefits. By taking a class where you’ll learn how to paint in a supportive environment, you’re taking time out for yourself and restoring your sense of peace. And after taking a painting workshop or two, you’ll likely see the benefits in your day-to-day life too, as you feel more energized and confident to tackle life’s daily challenges. 

If you are still not convinced, here are eight key reasons why taking oil painting classes in New York City might just be one of the best things you do this year.

You’ll become more confident with how to paint with different mediums

There are many different styles and techniques of painting, and all kinds of paints you can use. Taking oil painting classes for adults will establish the essential knowledge you need to work with these different mediums. For instance, can you tell the difference between oil, watercolor, and acrylic paints? If not, you’ll be able to soon!

Understanding the basics is essential if you’re keen to advance from oil painting for beginners to a more significant hobby. Oil paints are thicker and mixed with white spirit, which makes them take longer to dry. For this reason, they allow you to add texture to your artwork, using different strokes to build layers as you put paint to canvas. And that’s just not possible with watercolors and acrylics! 

An oil painting class will teach you how to use the right equipment

Even if you feel like a pro when it comes to paint types, you may find yourself baffled by the various tools and equipment. Oil painting classes in New York City will teach you the A to Z of oil painting basics, which includes knowledge of the necessary equipment. 

Certain brushes, for example, will add different kinds of strokes to your canvas. Did you know that bristle brushes are most commonly used but are no good for either acrylic or watercolor paints? Join an oil painting for beginners workshop to learn more about the many tools you can use for this unique, artistic practice.

You’ll learn how to paint and how to prime your canvas

At any class that teaches you how to start oil painting, your instructor will also guide you through priming your canvas. This is an essential step before you start painting, as it ensures that no color seeps through – which could ruin your piece. Most canvases that you buy in-store will have already been primed, but having this foundational skill is vital if you want to progress in your oil painting workshop and beyond.

Oil painting classes in NYC aren’t just for painting

Sure, you’ll inevitably learn how to paint at our NYC classes in oil painting, but you’ll also develop other artistic skills, including drawing and developing perspective. After all, there’s no point trying to put paint to canvas without having sketched out an idea first. 

This way, you can think of an oil painting class as a two-in-one experience – you’ll be honing your oil painting whilst improving other fine art skills, too.

Try out new things

Oil painting classes in New York City are there for you to explore how to use oil paints in a welcoming, low-stakes environment. You’ll get to experiment with multiple oil painting techniques, building your confidence and skills over time. So, remember to start small and then move on to bigger pieces as your knowledge and abilities improve.

Our oil painting classes are beginner-friendly and usually only last an hour or two, making them a great way to dip your toe in and see if painting strikes your fancy. Our teachers create welcoming, inclusive environments where it is safe and expected to ask questions. If you're not especially interested in developing a whole new hobby, and rather just looking for fun things to do in NYC as a one-off with your friends this weekend, painting classes are a great fit for that, too! 

Learn the art of color blending

Going for the biggest, brightest and boldest colors can be appealing at first, but vibrant tones can be the hardest to work with. Beginner oil painting classes in New York City start with simpler color palettes with complementary shades, so that you can better learn what they look like when you put paint to canvas. Try out an all-blue or monochrome palette, and learn how the colors blend in unexpected and exciting ways.

Half the joy of oil painting is how buildable the medium is. So, once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with a broader spectrum of colors, as well as different layers, strokes, and textures to create a striking piece that has dimension. 

Develop fundamental techniques

When you learn how to paint, you need to learn to do so properly. Oil painting classes in New York City are taught by seasoned professionals who are talented artists in their own right. They’ll guide you through how to start oil painting, teaching you everything you need to know from the bottom up. Learn about mixing different paint consistencies for your piece and become more confident with new brush strokes, for example. 

Don’t forget to clean your brushes

You’ve created your masterpiece and are ready to sit back and admire it – but don’t forget to clean your brushes! Any paint left on the bristles will harden, making the brush un-usable, so use white spirit or turpentine and a paper towel to remove the excess paint. 

And don’t forget that an oil painting class is likely to get a little messy – that’s half the fun, after all. Just make sure you wear clothes that you don’t mind getting splattered!

So, whether you want birthday party ideas for a group of friends or you’re after unique NYC experience gifts, oil painting classes in New York City should be top of your list. You’ll be able to express your creativity whilst experiencing some much-needed peace and quiet, and you may even find yourself with a new hobby to carry forward.