Quick Intro to Oil Painting Workshop

Dive into the world of oil painting at this workshop in East London



3 hours Class size 1 to 6 guests       £65

Join this beginner-friendly painting workshop to explore the possibilities of the timeless and traditional medium of oil painting. You will learn how to use oil paint to create your own unique artworks.
This session is designed as an accessible, basic introduction to using oil paint as a medium to make art, making it a brilliant starting point for those with no prior experience to painting, with oil or otherwise. Alternatively, for those with experience, the workshop is also a brilliant opportunity to deepen your understanding of oil painting. The workshop will also give participants an understanding of colour theory, and its role in producing art.
Throughout the session, you'll have the chance to follow your inspiration and enjoy the process of making art. All the materials you need will be provided, so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without any worries.
By the end of the workshop, you will not only have created your own unique artwork to take home but will also have gained a new perspective on your own creative potential, leaving with fresh skills and insights to continue your artistic practice.

Upcoming dates for Quick Intro to Oil Painting Workshop

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 13 Oct 2026, 12:11am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

4 upcoming dates between 17 Oct 2026 and 12 Dec 2026.

  • Sat 17 Oct 2026, 2pm-5pm
  • Sat 24 Oct 2026, 10am-1pm
  • Sun 1 Nov 2026, 12pm-3pm
  • Sat 12 Dec 2026, 10am-1pm
What you'll get
  • materials, including a 30x30cm stretched canvas
  • your artwork to take home with you
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Knowledge required
This class is beginner friendly. We break everything down into easy to follow steps.
It is also good for painters used to acrylic and watercolour paints eager to explore the classic medium of oil.
What to bring
Aprons are provided but we recommend comfortable clothes that you're not to precious about getting a little paint on!
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, birthday or hen do.

This experience would also be a cool gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.

Location

Goodluck Hope Sales Suite - Trinity Art Gallery, Goodluck Hope, 79 Orchard Place, E14 0JU

Buses stop at 2 minutes away - Leamouth/Orchard Place - D3 & SL 4 or Jubilee & DLR to Canning Town or East India (DLR) 12 minute walk.

Quick Intro to Oil Painting Workshop location
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Recent reviews of Quick Intro to Oil Painting Workshop

  • 5/5 from Derin, attended Oct 2026: Great class. Intro to color theory, oil paint, brushes (how they are made and used/history), we learned and then painted. On top of all, Ian is a great conversationalist. I would recommend, and I am coming back.
  • 5/5 from Jessica Hinings, attended Oct 2026: I'm a complete novice with oils who hasn't even touched a paintbrush for 30 years. Really enjoyed this class. Enough structure to not be at a loss, but plenty of flexibility to do what you want as well, and loads of info and tips. Lots of fun.
  • 5/5 from Ibiye Harry, attended Oct 2026: My friend and I joined this class as novices to oil painting. The studio is a beautiful space and Ian was a very attentive teacher. He clearly cares about his craft, and offered us both words of encouragement and helpful suggestions to make our paintings all that we hoped them to be. The class felt like good value for money and an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
  • 5/5 from Manuela Uribe, attended Sep 2026: Ian was brilliant!! We did this class for my partner’s birthday and we both had a great time. Everything was explained really well, and it was very helpful to learn about colour theory and then apply it while painting. It was a really enjoyable experience, and we’d definitely love to come back and try some of the other classes! Thanks so much Ian!
  • 5/5 from Leah Khatun, attended Sep 2026: I really enjoyed this class, I am new to oil painting and learnt a lot from Ian. Prior to the class I lacked the confidence to begin, however now I am more confident to express my creativity. Ian explained oil painting very well; the history, the science, and various techniques in painting, as well as much more. I would highly recommend this class and will hopefully continue onto the course
  • 5/5 from Vera Rocha, attended Aug 2026: I had such a beautiful experience at this oil painting workshop. it became a moment of calm, A wonderful way to slow down, express yourself, and reconnect with your inner self. ️
  • 5/5 from Adrianna, attended Aug 2026: Wonderful lesson in a beautiful gallery/studio space. Ian introduced oils and the concepts surrounding it in a very fun and rewarding way, and I was so pleased with the painting I took home. Will be signing up to the deep dive next!
  • 5/5 from Constance Chung, attended Aug 2026: Ian is very knowledgeable and provided easy-to-follow guidance for oil painting beginners. The studio environment is clean and tidy. Highly recommended
  • 5/5 from Mischelle Dani, attended Aug 2026: Great introductory class to oil painting! Really appreciated Ian’s professionalism in explaining art in a really interesting way! Would definitely recommend for anyone who wants to get into oil painting!
  • 5/5 from Shivani Hall, attended Aug 2026: Ian is an amazing artist and teacher - very knowledgeable and the class was very informative! Highly recommend as an intro to oil paints or a refresher if you haven’t used them in a while!
  • 5/5 from Maxi Aldum, attended Aug 2026: Such a beautiful place and a really fun way to learn a little about oil painting and have a play. Ian was wonderful and we really enjoy it
  • 5/5 from Shyamli Badgaiyan, attended Aug 2026: Really lovely!! Ian is great, very wise and the experience was a perfect intro to oil paints. Will be back!
  • 5/5 from Khalid, attended Aug 2026: Ian has a wonderfully friendly personality and generously shared his years of experience with us. Every trainee walked out with a fantastic painting. Thanks.
  • 5/5 from Vam Macherla, attended Jul 2026: Recently my husband had been mentioning starting art so I booked this class for birthday. We both had a brilliant time making oil paintings in a small group of lovely people. I had no idea where to start with colour or oils but it was a great setting to play with these paints and create something. Ian, an incredible artist himself, was a wonderful teacher. Ian created a relaxed setting and guided us to bring out our own creativity. He took the time to help all of us individually with our pieces so it was a fab introduction to some technical elements. It was a beautiful day in a super venue! Thank you Ian!!
  • 5/5 from Jayanthiny Kangatharan, attended Jul 2026: It was a great class, with lots of theoretical background and opportunity to try different techniques and brushes to complete an art piece using the medium of oil.
  • 5/5 from Martin Wheeler, attended Jul 2026: This class was a load of fun, and very informative. Ian has a real passion for art and it's infectious. Everything from colour and light theory to oil techniques were covered in a short space of time but made completely accessible and enjoyable to learn. The studio was a great place to be and be surrounded by the art of other's was even more inspiring. I loved the class so much, I've signed up for a course! Thanks for a great afternoon Ian!
  • 5/5 from Cristiana Colucci, attended Jul 2026: I had an absolute blast at the oil painting workshop. definitely making this my new hobby Thanks Ian for the lovely afternoon and for the interesting introduction to oil painting
  • 5/5 from Sheila Hanoomanjee, attended Jul 2026: Amazing and informative class with a very patient & passionate teacher. I did the class with my 13-yr old daughter for some bonding time and it was really fun. The venue itself is gorgeous with interesting artwork everywhere. My daughter also loved the class and now wants to carry on with oil painting! Definitely recommend
  • 5/5 from Amanda Robinson, attended Jul 2026: Teacher was great (informative and very approachable, supportive and encouraging), people were lovely and it was good fun! What more could anyone want? Oh a painting too!
  • 5/5 from Mark Lindsay, attended Jul 2026: Excellent way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Such a great space and supportive and informative teacher Loved it Thanks
  • 5/5 from Rui Rui, attended Jun 2026: It was a wonderful experience. I gained a great deal of inspiration and a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of oil painting.
  • 5/5 from Nikita Miah, attended Jun 2026: As someone who is completely new to painting, let alone oil painting, I’d highly recommend this class! Iain was super friendly and knowledgeable, and even waited after the session had finished for me to finish my painting as I was running behind. I went solo and overall it was a very creative, insightful and relaxing day - can’t wait to come back!
  • 5/5 from Alexander Carter, attended Jun 2026: Great fun! Ian was very experienced and encouraging. Highly recommend!
  • 5/5 from Melissa Stonard, attended May 2026: Absolutely brilliant! I loved the class and Iain is a great teacher. Freedom to create and let your imagination run wild. Very encouraged and now feeling brave enough to paint on my own. Highly recommended!
  • 5/5 from Jemma, attended May 2026: Intro to oil painting was a wonderful experience. Ian, our knowledgable teacher was incredibly encouraging to let our child like wonder to run free. We came as a group and while we all had different skill levels, Ian was great at meeting us where we were at in every stage of the process. Very pleased with my first ever oil painting and definitely plan on coming back.
  • 5/5 from Nicole Beckfotdt, attended May 2026: Really enjoyed Ian’s oil painting workshop at Trinity Art Studios. The session was relaxed, welcoming & never felt rushed. Ian was incredibly knowledgeable & explained everything so well, from the history of oil painting to blending techniques & canvas stretching. I especially loved how he encouraged us to go with the flow, think creatively & not play it safe with our artwork. He really pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way & I ended up loving both the process & what I created. Highly recommend for beginners or anyone wanting a calming, inspiring creative experience.
  • 5/5 from Michaela Barker, attended May 2026: Ian was a great teacher at my intro to oil painting workshop. He first started by asking everyones background with painting / art and emphasising the importance of having fun and learning over creating a masterpiece. He also delved into colour theory and how it works in practice and how to apply it in our paintings. He spent a lot of time working with everyone individually and made great recommendations to help elevate pieces when people where stuck. Ian is very patient, kind and passionate about his work and it shows. I will definitely be back for the other classes he has! P.S. the studio area is beautiful - its like painting in a gallery
  • 4/5 from Kumi Wong, attended May 2026: Ian is knowledgeable and fun Gain lots of insight in oil painting tonight
  • 5/5 from Jessy, attended Apr 2026: I joined the class as a complete beginner and from the moment I arrived, I was pleased by the warm atmosphere of both the gallery and the studio. Ian, the teacher, was incredibly welcoming. When I shared that I had no experience with oil painting and felt unsure about my creativity, he took the time to walk me through the gallery and introduce me to colour theory. Following the chat we started with a colour experimentation where I was able to let my creativity unfold and I am really pleased with the result, my very first oil painting. I would absolutely recommend this class and look forward to bringing friends along to the next session.
  • 5/5 from Sarah Perkin, attended Apr 2026: Our teacher Ian was really welcoming and chatty, and very understanding and flexible when we were all late because of public transport issues. He was very patient and gave helpful tips and feedback. We were all absolute beginners and he supported everyone individually and equitably; this is not always the case with adult classes, and meant everyone was able to take something away from the session. I would absolutely recommend this class as a really engaging, therapeutic, and fun activity to try.
  • 5/5 from Tim Ellwood, attended Mar 2026: Had a great time, easy to get to from Canning town, friendly group and flexible tuition. Cant do a lot in 3 hours, we just focussed on colour mixing, preparing canvases, types of brushes etc. Lovely studio, very relaxed, great if you live locally and can use as your drop in studio. Friendly tutor
  • 5/5 from Rashi Taunk, attended Mar 2026: The class was structured well, I recommend it to others. I enjoyed learning about colour theory and having autonomy about my painting
  • 5/5 from Janel, attended Mar 2026: Ian’s workshop was really enjoyable and inspiring. His passion for art comes through straight away, and the introduction to colour theory was fascinating. I liked that he guided us through the exercises while still giving us the freedom to explore our own styles. It felt immersive, creative, and a really lovely way to spend time with art.
  • 5/5 from Vladimir Losev, attended Feb 2026: We live in the neighbourhood and decided to explore what activities are on offer around Trinity Wharf - there are quite a few art workshops to choose from. Ian’s “Quick Intro to Oil Painting” was a great pick. He walked us through the basics of color theory and how oil paints work, giving us enough understanding of the medium to feel confident experimenting. The session was focused on exploring color and mixing rather than painting any particular subject, which kept things relaxed and fun. Ian created a really friendly and welcoming atmosphere that made it easy to just dive in. We each worked on a small canvas and took our paintings home. A lovely experience and a great starting point for anyone curious about oil painting.
  • 5/5 from Irena Majauskiene, attended Feb 2026: For my birthday, my daughter gave me a drawing lesson. I liked getting to know the drawing color placement and matching technique, the lesson itself, and the teacher's warm communication awakened the desire to come to the next lessons and gain a lot of knowledge. I have drawn in watercolor, and only during drawing lessons at school, and that was a long time ago, until I was 15. I haven't drawn for a long time, now I'm 60, and I want to do it again, thank you for the wonderful lesson and good emotions.
  • 5/5 from Darel Bitsy, attended Feb 2026: Excellent workshop for learning how to paint with oil! The instructor is really good. I highly recommended it!
  • 5/5 from Jane Wilkinson, attended Jan 2026: This was an amazing class which completely took me out of my comfort zone of watercolours and into the wonderful world of oils. Even though my brain took a while to understand the differences, and put it into practice, Ian explained it very well and had so much patience that I really enjoyed it and would definitely book again. Thank you so much.
  • 5/5 from Mary Sullivan, attended Jan 2026: We had a great time! It was my first time painting with oil paint, so the instruction and discussion was super informative and interesting. Highly recommend as a relaxing, fun way to spend the afternoon. I hope to come back for more classes in the future!
  • 5/5 from Riccardo Incarnato, attended Jan 2026: Ian was great at showing us the basics of working with oil paint, he also made the whole experience very chill and relaxing. Highly recommended.
  • 5/5 from Jack Holder, attended Dec 2025: I could not recommend this enough - I had a great time getting to grips with the oil paints and how they interact with the canvas, the medium, and each other, all set in a welcoming studio. Ian was a great teacher and brilliant company.
  • 5/5 from Mariem Sarghini, attended Nov 2025: This was the best 3 hours spent learning about oil painting! Ian was amazing in teaching us all about the theory behind painting before letting us loose on our canvas! The venue was awesome and all materials were provided including herbal tea! We loved every minute of our time with Ian and can’t wait to do more painting!!
  • 5/5 from Melissa Wills, attended Nov 2025: Ian delivered an excellent oil painting class, it had been a therapeutic class where he shared his expertise and techniques of colour theory and using oils on canvas. I would recommend this class to anyone looking for peace and tranquility or a creative space to be free
  • 5/5 from Luke Warwick, attended Nov 2025: Absolutely loved the class, was really relaxing and Ian really makes all of the concepts make total sense! I am a total novice (never painted before ever) and I took lots away and found a new hobby. Well worth it even if you go alone like I did.
  • 5/5 from Alexandra Backshall, attended Nov 2025: Excellent evening. Ian guided us with calmness and ease, creating a mindful space for exploring oils and colour. I highly recommend this workshop and will be booking on to more at the welcoming space that is Trinity Art Studios.
  • 5/5 from Afroditi A, attended Sep 2025: I love this art class. I love how we used colors in this piece. The choice of colors really brings this painting to life. Learning from an artist teacher is inspiring. I truly respect artist input and suggestions. I would highly recommend Iain's art classes. He is very enthusiastic, friendly and encouraging.  I look forward to going to class. It is relaxed and a good place to create our own piece!
  • 5/5 from Patricia B, attended Sep 2025: I've done done both the Quick Intro and Deep Dive sessions and can't say enough good things about them. I've learnt so much over the last few weeks, gained a newfound confidence in painting, and have met some truly wonderful people. Thanks Ian!
  • 5/5 from Janice Suk Yee Li, attended Sep 2025: This oil painting class takes place in a really lovely, calming studio space—it felt like the perfect environment to slow down and get creative. We each got to work on our own painting, which we could take home at the end or give as a gift. Ian, the teacher, is clearly very experienced and passionate about oil painting. He gave us helpful guidance but also encouraged us to explore our own ideas and style. I learned a lot about how colors work together, and the whole process felt both relaxing and fun—especially if you go with a friend or a group. All the materials were provided, and considering that you leave with a finished painting, I thought it was great value. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a creative day out or a unique gift idea.
  • 5/5 from Megha Sthankiya, attended Sep 2025: Such an enjoyable class! You get to learn more about the art form and colour theory, which is super interesting, as well as having ample time to put it all into practice with high quality materials. Ian was excellent throughout, and even kindly let us stay on for longer to paint! Couldn’t recommend it more — perfect for all skill levels.
  • 5/5 from Pavan Kareer, attended Sep 2025: Ian was fantastic, he had a good way of making you feel comfortable and is clearly very passionate about what he does. I found the introduction to the oil colours and colour theory fascinating; Ian's way of teaching was very engaging. I learnt a lot in a very short space of time and found the session to be a good confidence booster. It was a lovely way to meet people too. Would highly recommend!
  • 5/5 from Maya Hoang, attended Sep 2025: A brilliant introduction to Oil Painting! Ian is an amazing teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I really enjoyed the session, feeling inspired and will come back!
Your teacher

Trinity Art Studios
Trinity Art Studios

5.0 (75)

Trinity Art Studios formed in 2005 at London Dockland's historic Trinity Buoy Wharf. We have been hosting artists and facilitating the making of fine art for nearly 20 years. This year we have moved our studio into nearby Goodluck Hope within the plush setting of Trinity Art Gallery.
Our main teacher is Ian Robert Felton, a professional artist with over 25 years experience working in oil paint.
Our 2026 workshops are now open to book as are our Freestyle Sessions. We have a mix of classes for both beginners & intermediate. We focus on painting workshops that will immerse you in the techniques, joy and satisfaction of making art.
Sessions are held on weekday evenings as well weekends daytime. We also take group bookings if you’re thinking to bring your friends along or perhaps an exclusive group booking to celebrate a special occasion. Please contact us if you’d like any further information.
All sessions are held at Trinity Art Gallery at Goodluck Hope, part of London City Island.

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