NORWAY — Oil painting classes will begin at the Matolcsy Arts Center building starting May 14 and 15. Classes will be given by Gail Rein, a longtime Maine resident whose work has been nationally published and can be seen locally at the Maine Street Gallery.

A six-week, three-hour, Thursday morning beginner to intermediate group will begin May 15 and will focus on gaining familiarity with the use of oils as well as basic art fundamentals. The goal will be to provide a fun, supportive and informative environment in which the student will become comfortable in using this medium on his or her own, as well producing one oil painting the student will be happy to hang at home.

The intermediate to advanced group will meet starting May 14, for three hours on six consecutive Wednesday evenings. The goal of this group will be to hone existing skills and expand knowledge of the various techniques that can be employed to give expression to one’s painting, as well as further developing the artists’ eye and understanding of what makes a painting work.

Topics to be explored will include identifying and determining the effectiveness of the basic elements of art, use of glazes, washes, impasto, semi opaque and opaque paint, color mixing, values, texture, edges and brush work. This is a structured class Rein is calling “The Large Loaded Pizza” and will be the basis for less structured ongoing artist oil painting classes.

For further information, contact Gail at [email protected] or 207-357-5733 or visit www.gailrein.com.

Western Maine Art Group is at 426 Main St.