Advanced Oil Painting

Testimonials

This program exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I loved that the lectures incorporated subjects beyond the kind of tutorials one can easily find on YouTube. Besides the lectures, the weekly live critique sessions were really beyond my expectations. I felt a real sense of community and sharing and a connection to the "real" art world which included videos shared of exhibitions, fairs, and studio visits. It was quite amazing to have all of that available and to be able to chat with fellow artists.

-Kara C. Olympia, WA

Besides being a phenomenal artist, Kimberly is warm, funny, and draws you in and makes you feel welcome. She has created an environment that encourages students to be so supportive of one another. I really value her critiques, suggestions, and insider tips. She has a seemingly endless supply of examples of contemporary and traditional artists in her head to draw upon at a moment's notice. The course material is presented logically and thoroughly, and is peppered with videos, studio visits, and images that lend interest and context to the lectures. The assignments are interesting and challenging. I feel so lucky to have found this course.

- Carrie Markley., Sculptor

I have been painting for 20 years and have taught painting at the university level for 11 years. In this program, Kimberly gave an overview of every aspect of the creative process and introduced the materials and practice of painting in a way that has forever changed my approach. Kimberly’s course is accessible for beginners and also challenging for advanced painters. She is a very generous instructor who is invested in her students’ success and I would highly recommend this course.

- Jerrin W., Utah

Taking an intensive oil painting class from Kimberly Brooks radically changed my art practice. Not only did I gain an incredible respect for the act of oil painting, I also developed an intense interest to push myself beyond my limits of knowledge and to embrace all the unique techniques that make oil painting so captivating. Behind humor and spontaneous disciplinary comments, Brooks delivers outstanding tidbits of wisdom that I am forever grateful. I know for certain, that as I progress in my oil painting art practice, I will often be reminded of her gregarious smile, animated comments, vampire stories, and genuine generosity to share her artistic intelligence. Kimberly Brooks impact on my art life is indelible.

- Gail M., Chicago

I came into the class after vowing to never paint in oil again because of my chronic migraines. I had just finished an uninspired commission, and was exhausted, dispirited, and sick with COVID (it turned out). After 25 years of oil painting I felt creatively spent. I was telling all this to a painter friend who asked offhandedly “do use a lot of solvents?” (I used OMS like a water colorist). She suggested the book The New Oil Painting. I read it in one sitting and then saw that you gave workshops.

The lectures and live sessions have been transformative and reinvigorates my passion for art-making. Your unique voice in teaching, and your approach to working with the materials gives me permission to explore with a kind of knowledge that was previously hidden to me. I feel as though I’m in some kind of hidden alchemical mystery school.

This is, hands down, the most informative program I’ve taken in oil painting. The amount of material covered in the lectures is incredible generous as is the time you give to each student in the live sessions and in your office hours. I watch the lectures on color and painting architecture over and over. Other classes I’ve taken are more geared toward plein air painting or the business side of art, which is fine but not where I’m at.

-Astrid A. New York, NY