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Foundations in Oil
Imaginative Realism from Sketch to Finish
A comprehensive painting course with 9 modules and over 8 hours of instruction, guiding you from fundamentals to imaginative realism.
Nothing is holding you back!
✨ Maybe you think artists who paint well with oil are just naturally gifted.
✨ Maybe you believe they sit in front of a blank canvas and magic simply happens.
✨ Maybe you’ve told yourself: “I don’t have the kind of imagination that others do".
But here’s the truth: oil painting and imaginative realism is a skill... not magic!
What you admire in those paintings is the result of structure, observation, reference, and intentional choices, built layer by layer over time.
You don’t need to be a “natural” to create convincing imaginary worlds. You need foundations, guidance, and a process that connects reality with imagination.
In this course, I’ll guide you step by step, from simple forms and still life, to portraits, and finally to building a fully realized imaginative realism painting rooted in your own vision.
Let’s start building your world. You’re more capable than you think!
Imaginative realism is a skill anyone can learn!
Do you feel inspired by fantastical worlds and believable characters?
Do you love the idea of painting from imagination but feel unsure where to start? Are you a beginner or a self-taught artist who wants to build strong foundations and paint with confidence?
Imaginative realism is not just for the “naturally talented”... it’s a learnable skill.
I designed this course for aspiring painters of all levels. This is for complete beginners to artists who already paint but want to connect observation, reference, and imagination into a cohesive process.
You’ll learn the essential tools for professional oil painting:
How to observe reality, understand light and form, manage color, and use reference to build convincing imaginary scenes... step by step, from simple studies to finished paintings!
Let’s unlock your creative potential, one intentional layer at a time.
Hey, I’m Ryan!
My name is Ryan Pancoast and I’m an award-winning illustrator and artist. During my 15 year career, I have created over 200 oil paintings for the collectible card game Magic: the Gathering, designing and illustrating many of Magic’s most popular characters. Additionally, I have worked with major brands such as Blizzard Entertainment, Nickelodeon, and Marvel.
I take pride in taking imaginary lands and characters and making them believable, creating paintings that help transport fans to new worlds.
In this course, I’ll guide you through the foundations of representational painting — from simple forms and observation to portraiture and imaginative realism — using the same process I rely on in my own studio.
Carlo Narducci
"Ryan’s course is a solid investment for anyone who wants to learn the foundations of oil painting or understand the MTG card process."
Tom Dale
"I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn to paint in oils, whether they be a beginner artist, or someone working to a professional standard."
Jinsheng Yip
"As a digital artist with little experience in oils, Ryan’s Foundations in Oils course was incredibly helpful and well-structured, translating well to my digital workflow"
Imagine overcoming your fears…
✨ You stand in front of a blank canvas with clarity and confidence.
✨ Instead of guessing, you know how to build a painting step by step, from simple forms to complex ideas.
✨ Your imagination feels grounded, believable, and supported by real structure and reference.
How does that feel?
Today, you can choose to invest in your growth as a painter.
Learning to connect observation, technique, and imagination opens the door to creating work that truly feels like yours.
In this course, we’ll explore the tools, techniques, and mindset behind representational painting and imaginative realism. You’ll learn how to slow down, understand light and color, and build paintings intentionally... layer by layer.
I’ll be with you every step of the way!
At the end of the course you will be able to
Paint with Confidence
Build paintings through a clear process, moving confidently from simple forms to imaginative worlds.
Observe with Purpose
Use light, form, color, and reference intentionally to create believable painted worlds with depths.
Observation + Imagination
Course Content
The course has 9 modules for 8+ hours of learning and practice. It also includes full-length artwork tutorials you can pause and replay as many times as you like. The course is suitable for teens and adults, with no explicit content. It’s recommended to take the course in order, as it builds from foundational concepts to more advanced lessons.
Practice makes perfect!
In my course you will learn
Included in my course
Fundamentals & Materials
We’ll explore the materials, techniques, and essential knowledge needed to begin your creative journey with confidence. Learning a new technique always starts with understanding the tools available to you and knowing how to use them effectively every day.
Practical Exercises
Practice is what transforms creative theory into real artistic skill over time. Complete guided exercises that build confidence, spark inspiration, strengthen technique, and help you improve naturally while discovering new creative approaches and methods daily.
Lifetime Access
Once you join the course, you’ll receive lifetime access to every lesson and included resource forever. Learn whenever it suits your schedule, revisit classes, and progress comfortably at your own pace without deadlines creating unnecessary pressure or stress.
Flexibility
This course is designed to fit naturally into your everyday lifestyle and personal routine. Watch lessons from any device, revisit videos whenever needed, and learn comfortably whether relaxing at home, travelling, or taking short breaks throughout busy days.
Community of Artists
Joining the course means becoming part of a supportive community of passionate and creative artists worldwide. Share ideas, exchange feedback, ask questions, stay inspired, and connect with people who genuinely enjoy creativity and artistic growth together every day.
My Support
... and more!
JOIN NOWBonus Content
Extra content you’ll get for free with the course
A special 'paint with me’ outside class
$47 FREE
1x Magic The Gathering
Mini-Course
$47 FREE
My personal collection of reference photos
$47 FREE
REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSING SOON!
Build the strongest foundation in oil painting!
GET IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO
Foundations in Oil
Imaginative Realism from Sketch to Finish
TWO OPTIONS TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
Here you can find two options that only differ in how you want to pay! The first option is a one time payment and the second is a monthly option with four payments. The price displayed below is in dollars, but you can pay with ANY currency.
Start learning painting today!
My Guarantee to Every Student
If you are not satisfied with the course for any reason, you have the right to obtain a full refund within the first 30 days*. This is my guarantee to you, I want all my students to be satisfied. Also, this means that there is no risk as well! Give it a try and experience the program first-hand!
