From the days of the early Masters, oil painting has inspired and intrigued artists of all skill levels. In The Art of Basic Oil Painting, artists interested in learning how to work with this complex and multifaceted medium will find inspiration through clear, step-by-step painting lessons covering a variety of approachable subjects. First, artists will be guided through the tools and materials required for oil painting, including brushes, supports, mediums, palettes, and paint. This inclusive book also has sections on basic drawing techniques and color theory, as well as brief overviews of perspective, composition, lighting, and painting from photographs. Expert oil painters then guide artists along the way by outlining basic painting techniques, demonstrating how to work with various mediums, teaching the intricacies of color mixing, and much more in an easy-to-digest format. Artists will enjoy working their way through step-by-step projects spanning a wide range of appealing subjects--including portraits, landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, and florals. Full of inspiring and beautiful works of art, The Art of Basic Oil Painting also features techniques for rendering light and shadow, creating textures, and achieving lifelike results. With its fresh approach and plethora of tips and techniques, this book provides contemporary instructions for rendering realistic works of art in a long-standing, timeless medium. Whether you are a beginning artist looking to get started in oil painting or an experienced painter looking to improve your breadth of knowledge, The Art of Basic Oil Painting offers a comprehensive guide that no fine oil artist should be without.

Marcia Baldwin is a professional artist in Louisiana who specializes in vibrant oil paintings. After many years working in and around art--making a living as an advertising designer, art teacher, art consultant, photographic artisan and many other niches--Marcia finally opened her own art studio dedicated to fine art. Formerly trained in art, she has earned both a BFA and an MFA.

James Sulkowski maintains a studio in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the National Arts Club, The National Society of Mural Painters, and the American Artists Professional League, among others.

Lorraine Gray is a pet portrait artist, working in pastels, oil, and acrylic, in Berkshire, England. Lorraine's love for art and animals started as a young girl, when she spent many hours painting her beloved pet dog and cat. Her pet portraits hang in the USA, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Malta, France, Holland, and Dubai, as well as the UK. Visit www.pastelpetportraits.co.uk

Jim McConlogue lives in Encinitas, California with his wife and three children. He paints with oil, both in plein-air and out of his home studio. Jim has studied life drawing, painting and illustration through the Corcoran School of Art, The Athenaeum School of the Arts, and others. He is a past artist member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and his original oils are shown in galleries throughout the San Diego area. He is also represented by J.G. Editions Fine Art Dealers. Visit www.jimmcconlogue.com.

Varvara Harmon is an award-winning multimedia artist who works with oil, acrylic, watercolor, silk paintings, and ink and pencil drawings. Her work has been juried into national and international exhibitions and is in private collections around the world. Varvara's work has been published in International Artist and American Artist magazines, as well as in The Best of America Oil Artists book in 2009 and The Best of World Landscape Artists in 2012. Varvara is a member of the International Guild of Realism, Oil Painters of America, and Landscape Artists International. Varvara is currently represented at several art galleries across the Northeast and teaches workshops and classes in acrylic, watercolor, and oil.

Jason Morgan is a professional wildlife artist who specializes in big cats and African animals. Jason is heavily involved in conservation through the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the Snow Leopard Conservancy, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and has been featured in Artists & Illustrators. A signature member of Artists for Conservation, Jason strives to paint wildlife as accurately as he can by studying animals in their natural environment. Visit www.onlineartdemos.co.uk to learn more about Jason.

Vanessa Rothe is a classically trained professional artist who has exhibited alongside the nation's top artists. She is a signature member of known art clubs and societies and is an editor at Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. With a painting style that is refined yet accessible for beginning and intermediate artists, she teaches group and private oil painting lessons in California and France. Vanessa earned a business and literature degree with honors from USD and UCI, and she studied fine art at the Laguna College of Art & Design and through internships with artists and ateliers.