Beginners Lessons

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  • Beginner Lesson Introduction

  • How to Paint Foliage - Beginner Exercise

    1 item

    In this exercise I demonstrate the use of the 3 main brushes I use for achieving perfect foliage. The Series 1, Series 4 & Series 12
    I’ll show you how to load the paint onto the brushes and then how to apply it to the painting surface.
    Practicing the techniques I share will enhance your skills. W...

  • Red Grape - Beginner Level 1

    Movie + 4 extras

    Despite the grape's smooth skin, there is a lot of colour variation, and achieving it’s dusty texture is surprisingly simple. In this lesson I will guide you through the sketching diagram and the block-in stage, and finally the finishing details and texture which will give this painting a realist...

  • How to Paint Fine Lines - Beginner Exercise

    1 item

    My lesson ‘How to paint fine lines’ has been requested by many of my students for quite some time.  This is an invaluable tutorial. It consists of a series of instructions and exercises, enabling you to practice and perfect this technique. You can use this technique to follow my tutorials and, of...

  • Apple - Beginner Level 1

    4 items

    As a complete beginner, this is a great lesson to start with. I will teach you the skills and techniques needed for painting with oil paints. Join me as I guide you through creating the sketching diagram and applying the block-in layer. Additionally, you will learn the principles of colour mixing...

  • Egg - Beginner Level 2

    6 items

    As a beginner, painting an egg will be a good challenge for you. I will guide you through the process, from the sketching diagram and applying the block-in layer to learning how to blend and develop soft transitions between light and dark colors. A steady hand is needed to create an accurate shap...

  • Silver Spoon - Beginner Level 2

    4 items

    In this lesson I will show you how to keep you hand as steady as possible to achieve the sharp straight edges of the spoon, we will also cover the art of blending, and colour transitions to create a shiny effect.
    Difficulty: Beginner
    Panel Size: 8 x 8 inches
    Brushes used in this lesson: Michael ...

  • Lake - Beginner Level 1

    4 items

    This lesson features simple, subtle color tones. I will teach you how to get the soft lighting levels right, which can be a good challenge.
    Difficulty: Beginner
    Panel Size: 8 x 6 inches
    Brushes used in this lesson: Michael James Smith Professional Brush Set
    Painting surface used in this lesson: A...

  • Tree - Beginner Level 1

    3 items

    This is a great introduction lesson to start painting landscape scenes, it may look tricky but with it’s simple & limited colour palette apart from the delicates branches there is very little detail. In this lesson you will learn how to manipulate the brush to create superfine details and develop...

  • Beach - Beginner Level 2

    4 items

    This lesson will guide you through the basics, helping you develop your skills and techniques that will form the foundation for future lessons. I will guide you through the process from sketching diagram to applying the block-in layer, refining colours, and adding details.

    Difficulty: Beginner
    P...

  • Landscape - Beginner Level 2

    3 items

    This is a very interesting lesson, with lots of elements to provide you with the opportunity to practise and develop the skills you’ve learnt so far. It may look complex however as a beginner lesson the details have been simplified to ensure it’s manageable for everyone, using basic techniques.
    ...

  • River Meander - Beginner Level 2

    3 items

    Develop your skills in this beginner lesson. This beautiful landscape has many elements which will offer a challenge and enable you to practice skills already learnt in previous lessons. You will achieve a certain level of realism in this painting but don't be put off, this is a lesson appropria...

  • How to Paint an Autumn Tree - Beginner Level 3

    5 items

    If you are not a current subscriber and want to try out this free lesson please use the link below to access the required resources: https://tinyurl.com/9wn5ynts

    Autumn may see the return of frosty mornings and long nights but with it also comes an array of breath-taking, fiery hues. As trees tr...

  • How To Paint a Simple Cloudy Sky - Beginner Level 2

    5 items

    This sky lesson has been designed with the beginner in mind. It’s quite a busy sky, with smooth transitions between the different colours. It takes a little practice to achieve the softness but it’s such an important skill to master for photorealistic artworks. This lesson will give you the confi...

  • How To Paint a Coastal Scene - Beginner Level 3

    8 items

    This dramatic beach scene with its moody sky and sunlit foreground has everything needed to make it a very attractive painting, without the need for a great variety of content. The smoothness of elements within the majority of the painting make this an ideal project for the beginner and intermedi...