What will you learn?
Oil Painting
Prepare your workspace, materials and painting surface, and review common mistakes before starting. Explore ways to transfer an outline, choose a palette and mix colour values.
Compare realistic, impressionistic and abstract approaches. Work through an eye study before developing portraits with light and dark skin tones.
The demonstrations build a painting in stages, from initial preparation and colour relationships to finishing and presentation. Pause and repeat the stages at your own pace; allow additional time for practice and drying.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare a painting surface and organise an oil-painting workspace
- Mix colours and select values for a painting
- Compare realistic, impressionistic and abstract approaches
- Paint an eye and develop portrait details
- Build and finish portraits with different skin tones
Your learning path
Course curriculum
Browse the complete lesson sequence. These are translated lesson titles and descriptions; current video recordings remain in Arabic.
01 · Introduction and fundamentals6 lessons
- Getting to know oil paints02:13
Practical demonstration: Getting to know oil paints. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Tools for oil painting07:47
Practical demonstration: Tools for oil painting. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Common mistakes and tips for artists08:17
Practical demonstration: Common mistakes and tips for artists. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Transferring outlines04:06
Practical demonstration: Transferring outlines. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Preparing your painting workspace01:40
Practical demonstration: Preparing your painting workspace. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Preparing the painting surface02:03
Practical demonstration: Preparing the painting surface. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
02 · Colour fundamentals and mixing values4 lessons
- Colour fundamentals09:17
Practical demonstration: Colour fundamentals. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Choosing colour values03:10
Practical demonstration: Choosing colour values. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Fundamentals of mixing colour values — Part 113:49
Practical demonstration: Fundamentals of mixing colour values — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Fundamentals of mixing colour values — Part 1216:21
Practical demonstration: Fundamentals of mixing colour values — Part 12. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
03 · Exploring different painting styles5 lessons
- Mixing the painting palette16:42
Practical demonstration: Mixing the painting palette. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- A realistic painting approach — Part 114:01
Practical demonstration: A realistic painting approach — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- A realistic painting approach — Part 214:27
Practical demonstration: A realistic painting approach — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- An impressionistic painting approach11:18
Practical demonstration: An impressionistic painting approach. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- An abstract painting approach06:03
Practical demonstration: An abstract painting approach. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
04 · Painting an eye in oils9 lessons
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 118:10
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 216:18
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 320:49
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 3. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 416:15
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 4. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 513:27
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 5. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 615:11
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 6. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 712:31
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 7. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 817:38
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 8. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting an eye in oils — Part 920:55
Practical demonstration: Painting an eye in oils — Part 9. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
05 · Painting a light-skin portrait13 lessons
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 115:59
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 216:31
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 315:40
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 3. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 421:27
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 4. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 517:41
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 5. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 620:37
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 6. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 718:35
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 7. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 818:36
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 8. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 920:46
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 9. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 1019:52
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 10. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 1119:53
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 11. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 1219:47
Practical demonstration: Painting a light-skin portrait — Part 12. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Finishing the light-skin portrait01:59
Practical demonstration: Finishing the light-skin portrait. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
06 · Painting a dark-skin portrait19 lessons
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 120:08
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 218:50
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 2. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 320:50
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 3. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 419:30
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 4. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 519:36
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 5. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 619:36
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 6. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 719:35
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 7. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 819:36
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 8. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 919:35
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 9. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1019:34
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 10. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1119:36
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 11. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1219:35
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 12. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1319:35
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 13. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1419:34
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 14. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1519:34
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 15. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1619:34
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 16. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1719:34
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 17. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 1819:49
Practical demonstration: Painting a dark-skin portrait — Part 18. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
- Finishing and presenting the painting01:52
Practical demonstration: Finishing and presenting the painting. Watch the steps, pause to practise and review the result before continuing.
Tools and materials
- Oil paints
- Suitable brushes and palette
- Canvas or an appropriately prepared painting surface
- Materials and ventilation appropriate to the products used
Materials, software and devices are purchased separately. Check compatibility and follow the safety instructions for the products you use.
Make time for practice
Watch a manageable part of the demonstration, pause and try the steps yourself. Keep your exercises so that you can compare them. Return to difficult sections and develop your work at your own pace.
Who is this course for?
Learners who want a practical introduction to oil painting and portrait studies. Review the materials before enrolling.
Record your progress
Your account saves lesson completion and playback position. Once eligible, request a completion certificate with the name you want printed on it. Newer members need to complete 60% of the lessons; eligible previous members can request directly. The certificate is emailed once per course and is not an academic or government qualification.
Read certificate and learning terms ↗Questions about this course
What language are the recordings in?
Arabic recordings are available now. English recordings are coming soon and will be added to this same course without another purchase.
Will I need to buy the same course in the other language?
No. Both website languages use the same course and enrolment. Your valid access opens the same course without another purchase. English recordings are playable only after they are supplied and verified.
How do I access my lessons?
Sign in with the account used for purchase. After payment confirmation, open My Courses and choose this course. Lessons are streamed in your account and can be paused and replayed.
How do I receive a certificate?
Request it from your learning space once eligible. Members registered after 10 October 2026 need 60% lesson completion. Eligible previous members can request directly. The certificate is emailed as an image and is not an academic qualification.
Are materials or software included?
The course price covers the recorded educational content. Required art materials, software and devices are separate. Review the tools list before enrolling.
