UPDATE! October 1st, 2023: This version of the website will no longer receive updates. Please transition to the new website for the best experience. Access V3 Now >>

An Introduction to Painting

In this course, instructor Steve Huston will offer you a carefully-constructed introduction to painting. He will begin with an overview of the philosophy of art and the laws of light. Then, you will explore the painting materials needed for the course. Steve will do multiple demonstrations using black and white paints to explain light and shadow theory; from there, you will compose full-figure paintings and develop compositional studies. You will also learn the rubbing out technique. Lastly, Steve will walk you through various color palettes to use in your artwork. After this course, you will have a deep understanding of values, be exposed to a wide range of color palettes, and be able to apply the learned skills in creating beautiful paintings. ReMastered Course -  This course has been updated with downloadable assignments, optimized video lesson flow, new reference images, plus standardized rubrics and materials lists for a more effective learning experience.

12 Lessons 23h 47m 22s of videos

In week one, Steve will show you the materials needed to complete helpful drawing exercises before you get into the painting process. Steve will answer important questions to prepare you for a life-long journey as an artist. Then, you will learn to use direct and indirect light to model the forms through Steve’s demonstration of a simple sphere.

In week two, Steve will walk you through the tools and materials needed for painting. You will learn to control how fast your paint dries with mediums and explore the best solutions for cleaning your brushes. Then, Steve will teach you the essentials of capturing lights and shadows using oil paint. You will work with a single light source and practice basic color mixing.

In week nine, Steve will introduce you to the Rub Out technique; it is popular among the Brown School artists. The process begins by adding tones to the canvas and then wiping them out to create halftones and highlights. Then, you will watch Steve apply the technique in a study of a painting by Frank Duveneck.

In week ten, you will discover comprehensive insights into oil painting. First, Steve will teach you about color theory. He will demonstrate different approaches to painting, including the Brown School and the Impressionist. Then, you will watch Steve lecture on the critical process of mixing colors to achieve the desired tone and temperature.

Common Questions

Is this course beginner-friendly?

This course is appropriate for intermediate, and advanced levels.

Are there any assignments in this course?

This course includes downloadable assignment PDFs, that help you practice the materials taught by instructor Steve Huston. Keeping up with these assignments will maximize your learning outcomes.

What materials do I need to get for this course?

A material PDF list is linked in each lesson under the description. Please check the file to see what you need to prepare.

Can I do this course digitally, using Photoshop or Procreate?

Most New Masters Academy courses are designed to be done traditionally or digitally. Software changes constantly, but the fundamentals stay the same. It will be up to you to translate the information that you are learning to your software of choice.