Oil Painting for Complete Beginners: What to Expect

You Do Not Need Any Experience

Let me start with the most important thing I can tell you: you do not need any artistic experience, talent, or training to start oil painting. I have taught hundreds of complete beginners over the years, and the vast majority of them produce a painting they are genuinely proud of on their very first attempt.

Most people arrive at my classes convinced they cannot draw a stick figure, let alone paint a landscape in oils. But the Bob Ross wet-on-wet method is specifically designed for people with zero experience. The technique does much of the heavy lifting, and with step-by-step guidance, you will be amazed at what you can achieve.

Common Fears (and Why You Can Let Go of Them)

Over the years, I have heard every worry imaginable from first-time painters. Here are the most common ones, along with the reality:

"I Cannot Even Draw"

You do not need to draw. The wet-on-wet technique does not involve any sketching or drawing at all. You build your painting with broad brushstrokes, palette knife work, and tapping motions. If you can spread butter on toast, you have all the manual dexterity you need.

"I Will Make a Mess of It"

Working with wet oil paint means mistakes are easily fixed. If a mountain does not look right, scrape it off with your palette knife and try again. If a tree is in the wrong place, paint over it. Nothing is permanent until the paint dries, which takes days.

"Everyone Else Will Be Better Than Me"

Most people in my classes are beginners. You will be surrounded by people who feel exactly the same way you do. The atmosphere is relaxed, supportive, and fun — nobody is judging anyone else's work. In fact, one of the things people love most about the classes is the camaraderie and shared sense of discovery. You can see the range of wonderful work my students produce in the student gallery.

"Oil Paints Are Complicated and Toxic"

Modern oil painting, especially the Bob Ross method, is simpler and safer than most people imagine. We use odourless thinners instead of turpentine, the paints are non-toxic, and the process is remarkably clean and straightforward.

What Materials Will You Use?

When you attend one of my classes, all materials are provided — you do not need to bring anything except yourself and a willingness to have a go. But here is what you will be working with so there are no surprises:

• A pre-stretched canvas: Usually 16x20 inches, already mounted on a sturdy wooden frame and ready to paint on.
• Bob Ross oil paints: A selection of colours specifically formulated for the wet-on-wet technique. They have a firm consistency that sits on top of the wet base rather than sinking in.
• Liquid White: The magical base coat that makes everything possible. It is applied before you start painting and keeps the canvas surface workable throughout the session.
• A selection of brushes: Two-inch brushes, one-inch brushes, fan brushes, and a liner brush. Each one has a specific job.
• A palette knife: Used for mixing colours, painting mountains, and adding fine details.
• Odourless thinner and paper towels: For cleaning brushes between colours.
• An easel: So you can work standing up at a comfortable height, just like Bob Ross did on television.

What Will You Actually Paint?

In my classes, we paint landscapes. The Bob Ross method excels at natural scenes — mountains, lakes, forests, rivers, seascapes, and sunsets. The specific painting varies from class to class, but it will always be a complete landscape that you can hang on your wall when you get home.

I demonstrate each step on my own canvas at the front of the room, and you follow along on yours. We work through the painting section by section — sky first, then mountains or background, then trees and midground elements, and finally foreground details. At each stage, I explain exactly what to do, which brush to use, how to load it with paint, and what motion to make.

What Will You Achieve in One Day?

By the end of a single class, you will have:

• A completed oil painting on canvas, ready to take home and hang on your wall (once it dries, which takes a week or two).
• An understanding of the basic wet-on-wet technique — how to prepare the canvas, load brushes, blend colours, and create standard landscape elements.
• Confidence that you can paint. This is perhaps the most valuable thing you will take away. Once you have done it once, you know you can do it again.
• A new hobby that you can continue at home with a relatively modest investment in materials.

Tips for First-Time Painters

Here are some practical suggestions to help you get the most out of your first painting experience:

Wear Old Clothes

Oil paint does not wash out of fabric easily. Wear something you would not mind getting a spot of paint on. An old shirt or a painting apron is ideal. I provide aprons, but wearing your Sunday best is not recommended.

Arrive with an Open Mind

Let go of any expectations about what your painting should look like. Focus on enjoying the process rather than achieving a perfect result. The people who have the most fun — and often produce the best paintings — are the ones who relax and go with the flow.

Follow the Steps

The method works when you follow the sequence. It can be tempting to jump ahead or add your own elements before the foundations are in place, but trust the process. There will be moments when your painting looks like a mess, and that is completely normal. It comes together at the end.

Do Not Compare

Your painting will not look exactly like mine, and it should not. Every painting has its own character, and the small differences are what make yours uniquely yours. Comparing your first attempt to someone else's is a guaranteed way to undermine your own enjoyment.

Ask Questions

I am there to help. If something is not clear, if you are not sure which brush to use, or if you just want reassurance that you are on the right track, ask. There are no silly questions in my classes.

"I was absolutely terrified before my first class with Mark. I had never painted anything in my life. By lunchtime, I was having the time of my life, and by the end of the day, I had a painting that my family could not believe I had done. Truly one of the best experiences I have ever had." — David, Canterbury

Ready to Start?

If you are thinking about giving oil painting a try, I would love to see you at one of my upcoming classes. Check the class dates to find a session that works for you, or explore my online courses if you prefer to learn from home. Either way, you are in for a wonderful experience. The hardest part is deciding to give it a go — after that, I promise you, everything gets easier.