In short: these are online oil painting classes in the Bob Ross wet-on-wet style. You watch a lesson, then paint along at home, pausing whenever you like. They are made for complete beginners, and your first lesson is free.
How online painting classes with Mark work
I'm Mark Terrell, a Bob Ross Certified Instructor, and I've taught more than 1,200 students in person in Kent. These online classes use the same approach as my studio days: I paint each stage first, explaining what I'm doing and why, and you follow along on your own canvas. The difference is that you can pause the video, go back, and do it in your own time.
- Watch the free lesson. Over an hour of detailed instruction, just to see whether you enjoy it.
- Pick a tutorial. Choose a landscape, seascape, snow scene or flower painting, from £10.
- Paint along at home. Follow the brushwork stage by stage, as many times as you like.
- Ask for help if you're stuck. Book a video call with me for one-to-one feedback.
Ways to learn online
- Free video lesson: a full Bob Ross style lesson, over an hour long, to try the method.
- Video tutorials (£10 each, or all 9 for £50): landscapes, seascapes, snow scenes, reflections and tulips.
- Video coaching (from £23): a one-to-one call by WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype or FaceTime when you want personal help.
- Monthly membership (coming soon): every lesson in one place with a new one each month. The first 100 members pay £7.99 a month for life.
What you need to start
You don't need a studio. A small kit of oil paints, Liquid White, a couple of brushes, a palette knife and a canvas will get you started, and the supplies guide for beginners explains what to buy and what to skip. Not sure about colours? See what paint Bob Ross used, or follow the free Bob Ross painting tutorial first.
Are these online oil painting classes live or recorded?
The video lessons are pre-recorded, so you can start whenever you like, watch in your own time, and pause, rewind and replay as often as you need. Each lesson runs for over an hour. If you'd like live help, you can book a one-to-one video call with me (15, 20 or 30 minutes) by WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, where I can look at your painting and show you what to do next.
What a typical online oil painting lesson covers
- Setting up: the colours, brushes and Liquid White you need for that painting.
- Sky and background: blending the first wet layers.
- Mountains, water or waves: palette knife work and soft blending.
- Trees and foreground: the finishing details that bring the painting to life.
What students say about Mark's teaching
These reviews are from students of my in-person classes in Whitstable. The same step-by-step approach is what you get in the online lessons. Paint with Mark is rated 5.0 out of 5 from 22 Google reviews.
“You have fun while you learn, it’s a win win! He breaks down all the techniques for you and comes around and helps if you’d like it. At the end of the day you come away with a beautiful piece of artwork feeling like you’ve achieved something great…”
“Mark is an amazing artist and tutor. When explaining the step by step procedure he makes everything easy to understand… I’m incredibly self critical but even I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the end result.”
“I have been to around 8 classes and have enjoyed them all… We not only come away with a finished painting at the end of the day but have learned brush and painting techniques. I definitely recommend you have a go.”
Online or in a class: which is right for you?
Online classes suit you if you want to learn at your own pace, fit painting around work or family, or live a long way from Kent. A one-day class in Whitstable (£65, all materials included) suits you if you'd like someone beside you at the easel. See our oil painting classes in Kent for details. Plenty of people try the free lesson first and then book a class. There's also a list of painting classes for adults with travel times from your area.
More online learning
Want to see the full lesson list? Take a look at the Bob Ross online course. Looking for a relaxing hobby? See our online art classes.
Online painting class FAQs
Can I really learn to paint online?
Yes. Wet-on-wet oil painting is very well suited to video, because you can pause, rewind and paint along at your own pace. Mark's lessons show close-ups of the brush, the knife and the colour mixing, so you can see exactly what to do.
Are your online painting classes suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. The lessons are designed for people who have never painted before, and the free video lesson is a good first test of whether you enjoy it.
How much do the online painting classes cost?
The first lesson is free. Each full video tutorial is £10, all nine together are £50, and one-to-one video coaching starts at £23. The monthly membership is coming soon, with the first 100 members paying £7.99 a month for life.
What do I need to paint along at home?
Oil paints, Liquid White, a few brushes, a palette knife and a primed canvas. The supplies guide lists exactly what to buy, and you can try the free lesson before spending anything.
What if I get stuck?
You can book a one-to-one video call with Mark by WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype or FaceTime to get personal feedback on your painting.
Is an online class as good as an in-person class?
They are different. Online gives you flexibility and a lower price, and you can replay it as often as you like. An in-person class gives you hands-on help at your easel. Many students do both: they start online and then book a one-day class in Whitstable.
Are the online oil painting classes live or recorded?
The video lessons are pre-recorded, so you can watch in your own time and replay them as often as you like. For live help, you can book a one-to-one video call with Mark by WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype or FaceTime.
How long is each online oil painting lesson?
Each full video lesson gives over an hour of detailed instruction. The free lesson is also over an hour long.