Oil and Water

Creative Wanderings with Wendy Brightbill

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Join me in my creative wanderings with oil and water!!!


ALL New Lessons Coming March 8th, 2024!!!

The original part of this course launched in 2017. I love using watercolors and oils so much that I decided to revisit the process in an updated manner. I mostly paint florals now, so all of the new lessons are expressive florals.

They say that oil and water don't mix! But I disagree.

As an artist, I consider myself a creative wanderer. I love to explore mediums and techniques in unconventional ways. I love to push up against my own creative boundaries and think outside of the box. My process is all about breaking the rules in order to make connections and revolutionize the way that I create.

I LOVE the depth that you can create by layering oil paint over watercolors. The effect is nuanced and magical.

In the updated portion of this course, I will be creating a series of Oil and Water paintings on canvas and paper.

Included in the UPDATED version of this course:

  • Start to finish process videos of three pieces on canvas
  • Start to finish process of practice pieces on paper
  • Composition tips for creating a beautiful painting
  • How to layer in order to create depth in your pieces
  • How to layer oil paint with watercolors and other mediums
  • Beginning your oil painting journey by using oil pastels

Note: I do provide alternative ways to finish your pieces with acrylic paint if you are not yet ready to invest in oil paint.

Older Content:

In this course, join me as I explore creating with oil paints and fluid mediums. I will be exploring the themes of movement and texture through oil painting and fluid art.
Here are a few of the techniques and topics that we will explore in this course:
  • Fluid art making with inks, watercolors and fluid acrylics
  • Palette knife painting with oil paints
  • Messy mark making with pens, charcoal and oil pastels
  • How to layer fluid acrylics with oil paints and other mediums
  • Abstract art making
  • Some of the basics of oil painting
  • How to paint a still life painting with oil paints
  • Building texture in a piece with oils
  • Letting go and embracing the process of creating art
  • How to stretch beyond your own creative boundaries

I hope that you will join me in my creative wanderings as I explore painting with oils and fluid art.


Yes, there are two supply lists here. The first supply list is for the new content that will be made available on March 8th. The second one is for the older content that is part of this course.

UPDATED! Supply List:

  • Watercolors
  • Watercolor canvas (stretched)
  • Strathmore oil painting paper
  • Watercolor paintbrushes
  • Acrylic paint
  • Neocolor ll's
  • Acrylic markers
  • Water soluble pencils
  • Oil pastels
  • Oil sticks I used these ones by Paul DeMarrais
  • Pencils
  • Oil paint *optional
  • Palette knife
  • Spray varnish *I prefer gloss in any brand
  • Your favorite mark making or drawing tools
  • Sennelier Fixative Spray for oil pastels (only if you plan on using oil pastels)

Old Content Supply List:

  • Yupo paper
  • Aquabord
  • Artist boards
  • Stretched canvas
  • High flow acrylics
  • Acrylic inks
  • India ink
  • Alcohol ink
  • Spray bottle
  • High flow medium *optional
  • Watercolor paintbrushes
  • Oil paints
  • Artist pens
  • Artist markers
  • Pencils
  • Charcoal
  • Gamsol
  • Palette knife
  • Oil paint palette or palette paper
  • Baby wipes for easy clean up
  • Oil pastels
  • Oil paintbrushes

Your Instructor


Wendy Brightbill
Wendy Brightbill

My name is Wendy Brightbill and I am somewhat of a creative wanderer, an artist who enjoys exploring a multitude of mediums and styles. I love messy child-like play especially when it involves paint. I picked up a paintbrush after a car accident rearranged my brain from a closed head injury. I believe that there is healing to be found in art making and getting lost in the process. I try not to treat my art as being too precious, and yet, I am deeply committed to my daily creative practice. Art making is a little like breathing air for me. I can’t live without it. I am also a mother to three beautiful girls and a wife of 17 years to my biggest cheerleader. I have lived in Colorado for all of my life. All I ever needed to know, I learned from being a kindergarten teacher for four years. I just turned forty and I am finding this new found super power of saying no to the things that don’t bring me joy or peace.


Frequently Asked Questions


How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
Do I need to use oil paints to participate in this course?
No. I talk about this a little bit in the introduction. Although this course is geared towards using oil paints, you could always substitute acrylics for oils.
Do I need to use Yupo paper to participate?
No. You could use watercolor paper or aquabord to create your pieces. It won't be quite the same but it will still work.
Can I do these same techniques on canvas?
Absolutely. I have also used many of these techniques on canvas with great success.
What is Yupo paper?
Yupo paper is a very smooth surface made for watercolors. It is meant to be used with watercolors and inks.
Where do you buy most of your supplies?
I do most of my art supply shopping online at Blick's or Jerry's Artarama. It is hard to find many of these supplies in a physical store.
What brand of oil paints are your favorites?
I answer this question in the materials and supply videos. Windsor Newton and Utrecht are two of my favorites.
Can I paint with oils over acrylics?
Yes! It's fine to paint with oils over acrylics, just not acrylics over oils.
If using acrylics, do you recommend a particular medium or brand?
I recommend using heavy body acrylics mixed with light molding paste to give extra texture.
Can I use watercolors in this course?
Absolutely! Just sub out watercolors for the inks and high flow acrylics.
What is the difference between high flow acrylics and fluid acrylics?
High flow are more of a thin consistency than fluid acrylics. High flow acrylics are more like inks.

Come paint with me!!!

Get started now!