Oil Painting For Beginners
Workshop | Registration opens Sunday, August 16, 2026 2:00 PM
Led by local artist and longtime OLLI instructor Helen Eaton, this workshop guides beginning painters through the full process of creating an oil painting—from a blank canvas to a finished work of art. The class emphasizes hands-on learning supported by reference photographs, instructor demonstrations, and individualized guidance.
Participants will complete a small painting of a bluebird, a project previously offered as an OLLI course in 2019. All materials (canvas, paint, brushes, palette, medium, etc.) are included in the class fee.
This program will meet in person at OLLI Headquarters (HQ), located at 481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704. Please read your class reminder email for the exact room location.
Class changes occasionally happen; please watch for (and read) announcements or emails from OLLI regarding your class.
Click on the link below for a Google map shot of our location:
OLLI HQ
Helen Eaton
Helen has been painting for 17 years. She has had her art on display and for sale in various local businesses, and she has an Etsy shop where she sells her paintings online. Before retirement, Helen taught elementary school for 32 years. Teaching this course will be a blend of her love for teaching and her love for oil painting. She's previously been a part of teaching six OLLI beginner's oil painting classes.
Helen taught elementary school in the area for over 30 years. She began painting nearly 20 years ago. Working with a group at OLLI provides the opportunity to combine her favorite things: teaching and painting.