For many who have considered pursuing their love of painting in retirement, or at some other crossroad in their life, the idea of starting with oil colors seems so much more serious than the use of acrylics or watercolors. Perhaps it’s because it is one of the oldest of materials in the visual arts, used by countless masters over the centuries, but quite a few newcomers instinctively feel they are not “ready” or feel oil paint is far too expensive. Even more common is the thought that painting in oil is far less forgiving if the painter wants to change their mind as they paint.
Not true, says Diane DuBois Mullaly, one of the Academy Art Museum’s most popular art instructors. After coming to the Eastern Shore ten years ago, Diane also had those prejudices when she decided to return to painting. What she found, however, was a very flexible, very affordable material that dramatically improved her entire experience of creating art. So much so that she has now been teaching oil painting for six years.
In her Spy interview, Diane talks about the materials and approach she uses in teaching painting. She also talks about that special zone that artists can find themselves in when making art which even the artist themselves can not believe they created.
This video is approximately four minutes in length. For additional information on art classes at the AAM, please go here
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