Description

Hyperrealistic Oil Painting Course – 6 Week Evening Classes in Dublin

Unlock your inner artist and learn the award-winning painting techniques of internationally exhibiting artist Sheila Flaherty.Sheila Flaherty.

Over six weeks, you will be guided step-by-step through the process Sheila uses to create her acclaimed hyperrealistic oil paintings, exhibited in leading galleries across Europe, the US, and Canada. Whether you’re completely new to oils or an experienced painter looking to refine your skills, this course will transform your practice.

📆 Dates: Mondays – 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th September, 6th & 13th October 2025

🕰️ Time: 7.00pm – 9.30pm

📍 Location: Wesley House, Leeson Park, Ranelagh, Dublin D06 E542

🚊 Close to Luas stop | 🚲 Bike racks available | 🚗 Limited free parking

What You’ll Learn

On this hands-on course, you’ll work from a high-quality printed reference photo provided by Sheila. Each week builds your knowledge and confidence with oil paint:

  • How to transfer a drawing to canvas
  • Setting up your palette correctly
  • Understanding materials & solvents for best practice
  • Colour mixing for accuracy and depth
  • Values, chroma, light & shade
  • Edges and brushwork
  • Layering, glazing & finishing techniques
  • Brush care and long-term painting maintenance

A full demonstration is given at each stage, making the process clear and approachable.

Who Can Join?

This course is designed for:

  • Beginners: No prior experience needed—just curiosity and enthusiasm.
  • Intermediate & advanced artists: Expand your repertoire with professional hyperrealism techniques not commonly taught in Ireland but celebrated worldwide.

About Sheila Flaherty

Sheila Flaherty is an Irish artist whose hyperrealistic oil paintings have been exhibited internationally with:

  • 33 Contemporary Gallery (USA)
  • Modern Eden Gallery (San Francisco)
  • Gallery Stephan Stumpf (Munich)
  • Ateneo de Madrid (Spain)
  • James Baird Gallery & Summer and Grace Gallery (Canada)
  • MEAM – European Museum of Modern Art (Barcelona)
  • Mall Galleries (London, Royal Institute of Oil Painters)
  • Royal Hibernian Academy (Dublin)

Her awards include:

  • Cindy Cottrelle First Place Prize (Canada)
  • Honourable Mention at Fikva (Belgium)
  • Almenara Art Prize (Spain)
  • Tartget Promotion Prize (Spain)

Her paintings are held in collections across the globe.

It is Sheila’s mission to share her knowledge and empower artists in Ireland to access the internationally celebrated techniques of hyperrealism.

Materials List

For the first evening, bring:

  • A primed canvas or wooden panel approx A3 in size
  • Masking tape
  • Pencil & eraser

From the second evening onward, you will need the following:

Painting Essentials

  • Odourless solvent (e.g. Zest-It or Sansodor)
  • Glass jar with lid
  • Plastic bottle cap
  • Palette knife (metal, not plastic)
  • Cotton buds
  • Kitchen paper or rag for brush cleaning
  • Paint palette
  • Sharpener & eraser
  • Latex gloves
  • Liquin (medium)
  • A4 acetate sheets
  • A4 grey card
  • Gorilla tape (available in hardware shops, e.g. Expert Hardware Donnybrook)

Oil Paints

  • Titanium White
  • Raw Umber
  • Transparent Oxide Red
  • Cadmium Yellow Light
  • Ultramarine Blue Deep
  • Ivory Black
  • Cadmium Red Medium
  • Quinacridone Rose
  • Pthalo Blue (optional)

Brushes

  • Synthetic soft bristle filbert brushes (sizes 4, 6, 12)
  • Round hog hair brushes (sizes 4, 6)
  • Small round detail brush (size 0)
  • Rigger brush
  • Selection of makeup brushes for blending

Art Supply Shops

A full demonstration of how to set up your palette and use these materials will be provided during the first class.

Booking Information

Small group, limited places – early booking essential.

💳 Course Fee: €249 (6 weeks)

regular artists can use the code artacademyvip at checkout for a small concession

📞 Contact: Sheila at 087 7201717

📩 DM on Instagram: @artacademyireland

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You were created to create.

Join this inspiring 6-week oil painting course and take your art to the next level.