Traditional Oil Painting Course

Five-day oil painting intensive with Mike Armstrong—learn traditional techniques from grisaille to glazing. All materials included.

Traditional Oil Painting — Five-Day Intensive with Mike Armstrong

Dates: 3-7 August 2026
Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Mike Armstrong Art, Studio, Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham, Canberra

Course Description

Traditional oil painting is one of the most rewarding and complex disciplines in the visual arts; a craft that unites technique, observation, composition, and subtlety of expression. In this five-day immersive course, artist Mike Armstrong will guide you step-by-step through the complete traditional painting process, from preparing surfaces to applying the final glaze.

Across the week, you will learn how to make your own oil paint, understand supports and grounds, select and use brushes and tools, and work confidently with mediums. You’ll explore underpainting methods, including grisaille, wipe-out techniques, and classical value studies, before moving into colour mixing, glazing, and full-colour painting. Core concepts such as colour theory, hue/value/chroma control, composition, and observational accuracy will be demonstrated and applied.

You will work from both still-life setups and photographic reference, with time allocated for students to work from personal reference images if they choose. Throughout the course, you will receive demonstrations, personalised guidance, and structured exercises designed to build technical confidence and deepen your understanding of traditional oil painting.

All materials—including oil paint, mediums, boards/canvases, brushes, and reference setups—are provided for students to use and keep at the end of the course. Each participant will also receive a comprehensive painting handbook detailing all techniques covered.

By the end of the week, you will have completed one or more finished paintings and gained the knowledge and skills required to continue a traditional painting practice independently.

Daily Schedule

Day 1 — Foundations & Materials

• Introduction to traditional materials
• Preparing supports: panels, canvas, and grounds
• Making oil paint: pigments, oils, and safe studio practice
• Brush, palette, and tool use
• Drawing transfer methods (grid, tracing, freehand block-in)
• Creating an underdrawing for painting
• Still-life setup & value study demonstration
• Composition theory

Day 2 — Grisaille & Underpainting

• Grisaille (value-only) demonstration
• Wipe-out technique
• Building structure through light and shadow
• Blocking-in large shapes
• Edges, transitions, and form modelling
• Student underpainting session

Day 3 — Colour Theory & Mixing

• Hue, value, and chroma (Munsell-based approaches)
• Palette organisation and mixing strategies
• Temperature, harmony, and contrast
• Colour-matching exercises
• Applying colour over a dry underpainting
• Still-life colour study

Day 4 — Full-Colour Painting & Glazing

• Direct vs indirect painting
• Glazing and scumbling techniques
• Mediums: how and when to use them
• Refining form and detail
• Working from your chosen reference image
• Guided individual instruction

Day 5 — Refinement, Finishing & Varnishing

• Final layers and surface control
• Correcting colour and value relationships
• Finishing techniques and detailing
• Varnishes: types and timing
• Photographing your work
• Closing discussion and next-steps guidance

Materials Provided

• Oil paints (commercial and handmade pigments)
• Boards/canvases for underpainting and final works
• Full brush set
• Palette knives & tools
• Mediums (walnut, linseed, stand oil, turpentine replacement, alkyd medium)
• Grounded panels & sample surfaces
• Drawing materials (graphite, charcoal)
• Transfer materials (tracing paper, carbon transfer)
• Still-life objects and lighting
• Comprehensive Oil Painting Handbook

Students may bring personal reference images if desired.

About the Instructor — Mike Armstrong

Mike Armstrong is a multidisciplinary artist based in Canberra whose practice spans painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Rooted in traditional techniques and life-based observation, Mike’s painting approach emphasises clarity of structure, disciplined craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of colour and value. His teaching combines classical methodology with contemporary awareness, guiding students to develop strong foundations while cultivating their personal visual language. Mike is committed to helping students see with precision, paint with confidence, and build sustainable long-term studio practices.