What You'll Learn
Tools, Surfaces, and Setup
What to buy (and what to skip) in beginner-friendly oils, mediums, and brushes
Canvas/panel options, basics of preparation, and studio or kitchen-table setups
Safe handling, cleanup, and eco-aware practices.
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The Painter’s Blueprint: A Simple Path to Building a Painting
Your step-by-step “easy blueprint” for creating a painting from start to finish, with a fun and simple project
Understanding stages: block-in → refine forms → details and finish
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Values: Critical to Creating Dimension
Spotting value areas and simplifying into clear masses
Using value to create depth and tell the eye where to look
Color Made Friendly: Mixing, Harmony, and Control
Limited-palette foundations and reliable mixes
Warm/cool relationships, exploiting color relationships with complementary hues, and avoiding muddy color
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Brushwork & Edges
Choosing the right brush for the job
Edge control (soft vs. sharp) and how it guides attention
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Layers: Semi-Transparent Starts to Subtle Finishes
How to maximize the layering benefits of oil paint and reworking missteps
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PLUS! - Personal Feedback and Guidance as you Progress
Testimonials
Spence McCleave
Retired Physician
"The whole 'Jumpstart' process was interesting - so many pearls dropped throughout. I've done it all now, but I want to go back through it again and write down all the learning points."
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Jill Greenop
Jewelry Designer