All Classes are held at Main Exhibit Gallery's fully accessible Art Center in the lower level rear of the Gallery building, 301 West Main St., Ligonier, PA 15658.

Register for Mornings

Register for Evenings

Oil Painting For Beginners

With Instructor Clair F. Maier

Have you ever wanted to try painting with oils, but never knew where to begin? This 6-week workshop is for you! We’ll cover oil painting essentials and get you started on your first painting!

Instructor Clair F. Maier, with a BA in Studio Art from Saint Vincent College, will teach basic concepts of oil painting, including prepping a canvas, setting up a palette, choosing brushes, mixing colors, working with painting mediums, creating an underpainting, layering wet and dry paint, proper brush cleaning and maintenance, and more!

Class time will range from short instruction and brief exercises to sessions of working on individual projects. Clair asks students to bring 3 different photos 8x10” or larger (or a laptop/tablet) to use as references for your painting (no portraits, please--people are hard to paint!). In class, she’ll help you select the best one to get you started successfully. Clair will also cover basic principles of color temperature, value, proportions, and shading, and help you apply them to your particular project!

All materials are provided, and you’ll be given a set of oils and supplies to keep! (You may wish to purchase additional materials after the first class, but no other materials will be necessary.)

Some experience in drawing is helpful, but not required. Come ready to learn and open to a new experience!

Ages 14 and up.