Oil Painting for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Started

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 9 min read

Oil painting is a beautiful and rewarding art form that has been enjoyed for centuries. If you're new to the world of oil painting, don't worry! This comprehensive guide is designed to help oil painting beginners like you get started and build a solid foundation in this amazing art. Let's dive right in and explore the world of oil painting together.

Choosing the Right Materials

The first step in your oil painting journey is selecting the right materials. Using high-quality materials will not only make the painting process easier but also ensure that your artwork lasts for a long time. Here's a breakdown of the key materials you'll need to start your oil painting adventure.

Oil Paint Brands

There's a wide range of oil paint brands available in the market, but not all of them are created equal. As an oil painting beginner, you'll want to choose a brand that offers a good balance of quality and affordability. Some popular and reliable options for beginners include:

Winsor & Newton Winton — affordable and offers a good range of colors.
Van Gogh — known for their buttery consistency and vibrant colors.
Grumbacher Pre-Tested — high-quality paints with a smooth texture and excellent color consistency.

Brushes and Palette Knives

Investing in a good set of brushes is important for oil painting beginners. Here are some tips to help you choose the right brushes:

Start with a basic set of brushes in various shapes and sizes, such as flat, round, and filbert.
Choose brushes with natural bristles (e.g., hog hair) for their durability and ability to hold paint.
Don't forget to include a palette knife in your toolkit. It's useful for mixing paint and creating interesting textures.

Canvases and Panels

The surface you paint on can greatly impact the final result of your artwork. There are two main options for oil painting beginners:

Stretched canvases — made from cotton or linen, stretched over a wooden frame. They're versatile, lightweight, and easy to hang.
Wooden panels — provide a sturdy surface for painting and are less susceptible to damage. Make sure to choose a panel that's specifically designed for oil painting and properly primed.

Experiment with both options to find the one that suits your painting style and preferences best.

Setting Up Your Workspace

Having a comfortable and well-organized workspace is crucial for oil painting beginners. It allows you to focus on your art and enjoy the process without unnecessary distractions. Let's discuss some important aspects of setting up an effective workspace for oil painting.

Lighting

Good lighting is essential for accurate color mixing and seeing the finer details of your work. Here are some tips for ensuring proper lighting in your workspace:

Set up your workspace near a window that provides plenty of natural light.
If natural light is limited, invest in an adjustable, color-correcting lamp that simulates daylight.
Arrange your lighting to minimize glare and shadows on your work surface.

Palette Setup

Your palette is where you'll mix and store your paint colors. To create an efficient palette setup, consider these tips:

Choose a palette with a large, flat surface, such as a wooden or glass palette. This allows for easy color mixing and prevents paint from drying out too quickly.
Arrange your colors in a consistent order, from light to dark, to make it easy to find and mix the colors you need.
Keep a small container of your preferred painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or turpentine) nearby for thinning paint or cleaning brushes.

Easels and Tables

Having a stable and adjustable support for your painting surface is important. Here are your main options:

Easels — available in a variety of styles and materials, such as tabletop, A-frame, or H-frame. Choose one that's sturdy, adjustable, and suitable for your preferred painting surface size.
Tables — if you prefer painting on a flat surface, a table can be a good option. Ensure that it's sturdy and at a comfortable height for you to work on.

Now that your workspace is all set up, it's time to dive into the world of color!

Understanding Color Theory

Color theory is an essential part of oil painting for beginners, as it helps you create visually appealing and harmonious compositions. Let's explore some key aspects of color theory to help you get started.

Color Wheel

The color wheel is a circular diagram that showcases the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Understanding the color wheel is crucial for successful color mixing and creating pleasing color combinations. Here's a quick rundown:

Primary colors — red, yellow, and blue. These colors cannot be created by mixing other colors.
Secondary colors — green, orange, and purple. These are created by mixing equal parts of two primary colors.
Tertiary colors — six colors created by mixing equal parts of a primary and a secondary color, such as red-orange or blue-green.

Color Mixing

Color mixing is a fundamental skill for oil painting beginners, allowing you to create a wide range of colors from a limited palette. Here are some tips to help you master color mixing:

Start with a limited palette of primary colors, plus white and black, and practice mixing them to create secondary and tertiary colors.
When mixing colors, always add the darker color to the lighter color gradually to maintain control over the final shade.
Experiment with mixing complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel) to create neutral tones and grays.

Values and Shades

Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color, while shade is a variation of a color created by adding black. Understanding values and shades is important for creating depth and dimension in your paintings. Here's what you need to know:

Create a value scale by mixing varying amounts of white and black with a single color. This helps you see the range of light and dark values for that color.
When painting, use a range of values to create contrast and depth. For example, use lighter values for highlights and darker values for shadows.
Practice creating different shades of a color by gradually adding black and observe how the color changes.

With a solid understanding of color theory, you're well on your way to creating beautiful oil paintings. Now, let's explore some popular painting techniques.

Painting Techniques

There are various oil painting techniques that beginners can experiment with to achieve different effects and styles. Let's take a look at some popular techniques to help you find the approach that suits you best.

Blocking In

Blocking in is a helpful technique for establishing the overall composition of your painting. With this approach, you start by painting large shapes and areas of color, rather than focusing on details. Here's how to do it:

Begin by sketching the basic shapes and forms with a pencil or a thin layer of paint on your canvas.
Fill in these shapes with flat colors, using broad brush strokes. This helps you establish the overall color scheme and composition.
Once the blocked-in areas are dry, you can start adding details and refining your painting.

Glazing

Glazing is a technique that involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over a dried, opaque layer. This can add depth, richness, and luminosity to your paintings. Here's a simple guide to glazing:

Start with a dried, opaque layer of paint on your canvas. This can be a completed painting or an underpainting.
Mix a small amount of color with a glazing medium, such as linseed oil, to create a transparent glaze.
Apply the glaze using a soft brush, working in thin, even layers. You can build up multiple layers to achieve the desired effect, but allow each layer to dry before adding the next one.

Alla Prima

Alla prima, also known as "wet-on-wet," is an oil painting technique where you apply fresh paint layers over still-wet paint. This approach can result in a more spontaneous and expressive painting style. Here's how to get started with alla prima:

Begin by applying a thin layer of paint to your canvas, working quickly to establish the overall composition.
Continue adding paint directly onto the wet surface, allowing colors to blend and mix on the canvas.
Keep in mind that this technique requires working relatively quickly, as the paint will begin to dry within a few hours or days, depending on the thickness of the layers.

By exploring these painting techniques, you'll develop a better understanding of the possibilities and versatility of oil painting. Remember to practice and experiment with different approaches to find the one that resonates with you. Now, let's move on to cleaning and maintenance tips to ensure the longevity of your art supplies and paintings.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your oil painting supplies are essential to keep them in good condition, ensuring they last longer and perform well. Let's discuss some tips and techniques for maintaining your brushes, disposing of leftover paint, and storing your masterpieces.

Brush Cleaning

Keeping your brushes clean is important to maintain their performance and extend their lifespan. Here's a step-by-step guide to brush cleaning:

Wipe off any excess paint using a cloth or paper towel.
Dip the brush in a container with odorless mineral spirits or turpentine, gently swishing it around to loosen the paint.
Remove the brush from the solvent and wipe it again with a cloth or paper towel to remove the remaining paint.
Finally, wash the brush with soap and warm water, gently massaging the bristles to remove any leftover paint. Rinse thoroughly and reshape the bristles before laying the brush flat to dry.

Disposing of Leftover Paint

Disposing of leftover oil paint responsibly is important for both the environment and the safety of your workspace. Follow these guidelines for proper paint disposal:

Never pour leftover paint or solvents down the drain, as they can harm the environment and damage your plumbing.
Allow leftover paint to dry on your palette or in a separate container. Once it's completely dry, you can safely dispose of it in the trash.
Used solvents can be reused by allowing them to sit undisturbed until the paint particles settle at the bottom. Carefully pour the clean solvent into a separate container, leaving the paint sediment behind. Dispose of the sediment in the trash once it's dry.

Storing Your Masterpieces

Proper storage of your finished oil paintings will help protect them from damage and ensure their longevity. Here are some tips for storing your artwork:

Make sure your painting is completely dry before storing it, as oil paint can take several weeks or even months to cure fully.
Store your paintings in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperature fluctuations.
If you need to stack your paintings, use a clean cloth or acid-free paper to separate them, and avoid stacking them face-to-face to prevent damage to the paint surface.

Now that you know how to maintain your art supplies and store your paintings, let's explore some ways to find inspiration and develop your unique artistic style in oil painting.

Inspiration and Creativity

One of the most exciting aspects of oil painting for beginners is discovering your own unique style and finding inspiration for your artwork. Let's explore some ways to stay inspired, develop your personal style, and connect with other artists in the community.

Finding Inspiration

Great ideas can come from anywhere, but here are some suggestions to spark your creativity:

Observe the world around you: Nature, architecture, and everyday objects can all serve as inspiration.
Study the work of your favorite artists or explore new ones to learn different techniques and styles.
Keep a sketchbook or journal to record your thoughts, ideas, and observations.
Experiment with different subjects, styles, and techniques to find what resonates with you.

Creating Your Own Style

Developing a personal style in oil painting takes time and practice. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

Focus on what interests you and what you enjoy painting. Your passion for the subject will shine through in your work.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. They can often lead to new discoveries and creative breakthroughs.
Experiment with different techniques, color palettes, and subject matter to find what best suits your artistic vision.
Remember that your style will evolve over time as you continue to learn and grow as an artist.

Joining Art Communities

Connecting with other artists can provide valuable support, encouragement, and inspiration in your oil painting journey. Consider joining art communities to share your work, learn from others, and stay motivated:

Participate in local art classes, workshops, or clubs to meet fellow artists and receive feedback on your work.
Attend art exhibitions, gallery openings, and other events to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the art world.
Join online forums, social media groups, or art-focused websites to share your work, ask questions, and learn from fellow oil painters.

With the right materials, workspace, techniques, and inspiration, you're well on your way to becoming a confident oil painter. Remember that practice and patience are key, and don't forget to enjoy the creative process. Happy painting!

If you're looking to enhance your acrylic painting abilities, don't miss the workshop 'Improve Your Acrylic Painting Skills' by Rachel Christopoulos. This workshop offers valuable techniques and tips that will help you take your acrylic painting skills to new heights.