Oil painting short courses at Chelsea College of Arts
- Written byChi Gavhure
- Published date 08 May 2026
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Learn, experiment and build your practice
Oil painting at Chelsea College of Arts gives students the opportunity to develop their painting skills in a supportive art school studio environment. Delivered through UAL Short Courses, these oil painting courses are open to everyone (from beginners to more experienced painters) who want to learn, practise and improve.
Whether you are new to oil paint or returning to painting after time away, Chelsea's inspiring short courses offer clear teaching, experienced artist tutors and time to focus on making work.
Why study oil painting at Chelsea?
Chelsea College of Arts is one of London’s most prestigious art and design colleges in central London, close to key galleries such as Tate Britain. This allows students to get inspiration and connect practical studio work with wider art history and contemporary painting.
"Studying on campus at Chelsea College of Arts, in such beautiful and historic buildings, was a wonderful experience," says short course student Emilie Fischer. "There is something unique in the air – a deeply creative atmosphere." Read Emilie's story.
UAL Short Courses at Chelsea are designed to be flexible and accessible:
- Courses run year‑round
- Evening, weekend and summer options
- Courses for adults and for 16 - 18 year olds
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance on completion
Students work in small groups, receive regular feedback, and study in dedicated studios used by degree‑level students.
Oil Painting Level 1 Short Course
A practical introduction:
Oil Painting Level 1 is a studio‑based course for beginners and those with some previous experience. You start painting straight away, gaining confidence with materials, colour and paint handling.
The course focuses on painting directly, often without preparatory drawing, helping you understand how to build form, space and colour on the surface.
You will learn about:
- Materials, surfaces and mixing mediums
- Colour theory and colour mixing
- Creating form and depth using colour
- Glazing, scumbling and paint application
- Balance and harmony in painting
By the end of the course, you will have produced a small body of work and gained the confidence to progress onto Oil Painting Level 2.
Oil Painting Level 2 Short Course
Developing depth and range:
Oil Painting Level 2 is aimed at intermediate to advanced painters who already have experience working with oils.
You explore a wider range of techniques and learn how to use colour, tone and composition to create mood and atmosphere. The course supports both representational and abstract approaches.
Topics include:
- Dark‑to‑light painting methods
- Grisaille and underpainting
- Limited colour palettes
- Colour harmony, contrast and value
- Controlled and reduced paint application
The course helps you develop a clearer understanding of how you work as a painter and how to move your practice forward.
Learning oil painting with Enver
Oil Painting Level 1 and Level 2 at Chelsea are taught by professional artist Enver Gürsev.
"Oil Painting Level 1 is a high‑velocity course designed for beginners and those with some experience," he says. "It covers the fundamentals - from colour theory to the process of painting - and shows that there are only a few crucial rules needed to create successful paintings."
Students on Level 1 and Level 2 benefit from structured demonstrations, clear explanations and regular one‑to‑one feedback, while being encouraged to develop confidence in their own decisions.
"Teaching traditional oil painting techniques and seeing students make rapid progress is hugely rewarding," he says.
Read the full interview with Enver Gürsev.
Oil Painting for 16 to 18 Year Olds
An introduction to art school study:
Oil Painting for 16 to 18 Year Olds is a practical course designed for young people aged 16 to 18 who are interested in oil painting and considering further study in art and design.
Students work with practising artists, visit Tate Britain, and explore colour, composition and technique through observation and photographs. The course is suitable for beginners and those with some experience.
It offers a strong introduction to art school teaching and helps students build confidence in their creative abilities.
Learning oil painting at Chelsea
Across oil painting courses at Chelsea College of Arts, students benefit from:
- Experienced artist tutors
- Structured teaching with room for personal projects
- Small groups and regular feedback
- Studio based learning in central London
Many students use these courses to return to painting, prepare for further study, or set aside time to focus seriously on their practice.
Learn more about painting techniques in our guide to 10 essential painting techniques for artists.
If you'd like to explore further, UAL Short Courses also runs oil painting short courses in landscape, contemporary and figure painting at Central Saint Martins.
Have a question? Our customer service team are here to help you find the right course for you. Get in touch via our enquiry form to start planning your learning journey.
