New York Academy of Art

What exactly is oil paint? What are “odorless mineral spirits”? How do you clean brushes properly? And why do Old Master paintings seem to glow with such depth? This course demystifies the materials and methods of oil painting while building confidence in time-tested techniques. We’ll focus on indirect painting approaches that create luminous, layered results. Beginning with foundational exercises, students will gradually introduce color through chromatic glazes and velatura, working from a simplified warm/cool palette of their choice. Along the way, we’ll explore temperature relationships, optical mixing, and subtle shifts in hue and value to achieve atmospheric depth and unity. Centered on figure painting from the live model, the curriculum draws inspiration from Rembrandt’s methods—covering ground preparation, light massing, and the expressive potential of limited palettes. We’ll also look at contemporary painters who adapt indirect painting in fresh and personal ways, bridging tradition and innovation.