AdurArt

A Beginners Guide to Oil Painting

by Clara Wren

Oil painting has a reputation for depth, richness, and timeless beauty — and for good reason. From the glowing portraits of the Old Masters to the bold textures of modern expressionists, oil paint remains one of the most versatile and rewarding mediums an artist can use.

If you’re just starting out, oil painting can feel a little daunting. There’s talk of mediums, solvents, drying times, and all sorts of mysterious terms. But don’t worry — it’s easier than it sounds once you understand the basics. This guide will walk you through everything you need to begin your journey confidently, with materials and methods that work for real beginners.

Choosing Your Materials

Paints

Start with a small, high-quality set of artist-grade oils — the pigment strength and texture make them far more enjoyable to use than cheaper paints. A limited palette teaches colour mixing and gives you cleaner, more natural results.

✅ Recommended beginner sets:

Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set – excellent value and consistency, ideal for learning.
Michael Harding Introductory Set – traditional, buttery, and highly pigmented.
Gamblin 1980 Oil Colours – reliable performance and safer, low-tox formulation.

A good starter palette includes:
Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow (or Hansa Yellow), Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, and Ivory Black.

Brushes

Oil paint needs firm bristles that can move thicker pigment across the surface. Hog hair brushes are traditional, but modern synthetics have caught up beautifully — offering spring, durability, and easier cleaning.

✅ Essential brush shapes:

Flat (Size 6–10) – for blocking in and broad strokes.
Filbert (Size 4–8) – for blending and soft edges.
Round (Size 2–4) – for details and small highlights.
Fan – for texture and subtle blending.

Recommended brands: Da Vinci Top Acryl, Pro Arte Sterling Acrylix, or Princeton Catalyst Polytip.

Surfaces

Oil paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, but for beginners, pre-primed stretched canvas or canvas boards are ideal.
Avoid unprimed surfaces — oil can eat into the fibres and cause long-term damage.

✅ Good starter options:

Winsor & Newton Classic Stretched Canvas
Daler Rowney Oil Painting Board
Belle Arti Primed Linen Panel

If you’d like to experiment, you can also paint on gesso-primed wood panels for a smoother surface.

Mediums & Solvents

Mediums alter the texture and drying time of oil paint. Beginners don’t need many — just a simple setup:

Refined Linseed Oil – adds flow and gloss.
Galkyd Lite (by Gamblin) – speeds up drying slightly and improves consistency.
Odourless Mineral Spirits (OMS) – for thinning paint and cleaning brushes safely.

If you prefer to avoid solvents altogether, try water-mixable oil paints, such as Winsor & Newton’s Artisan Water Mixable Oils — they clean up with water and behave just like traditional oils.

Palette & Tools

Wood or glass palette – easy to clean and long-lasting.
Palette knives – for mixing and impasto effects.
Metal palette cup – holds small amounts of medium or solvent.
Rags or paper towels – essential for cleaning and wiping brushes.

Understanding Basic Techniques

Fat over Lean

This is the golden rule of oil painting: each layer should contain slightly more oil than the one beneath it. This helps the paint dry evenly and prevents cracking over time.

Lean layers: Use paint thinned with solvent for your underpainting.
Fat layers: Add more oil or medium as you build up.

Blocking In

Start your painting by covering the canvas with broad areas of colour to establish composition and value. Don’t worry about details yet — think in shapes and tones.

Blending & Glazing

Oil paint stays wet for hours, allowing seamless blending on the canvas. You can also create luminous effects by glazing — applying thin, transparent layers of colour over dry paint to adjust tone and depth.

Impasto

For texture lovers, try impasto — applying thick paint with a palette knife. The raised surface catches light beautifully and adds dimension.

Colour Mixing Tips

Oil paints mix cleanly and hold their brilliance, but a few principles help:

Mix with a palette knife rather than a brush to avoid muddy colours.
Keep complements (like red and green) separate until you want greys or neutrals.
Always test your mixtures on the palette edge before committing to the canvas.

Cleaning & Safety

Always work in a ventilated space. Wipe excess paint from brushes with a rag before rinsing them in solvent or washing with The Masters Brush Cleaner.
Dispose of solvent-soaked rags safely — store them in a sealed metal container to prevent spontaneous combustion (rare, but worth caution).

Practice Projects for Beginners

Monochrome Study – Paint a still life using only Burnt Sienna and White to learn values.
Simple Landscape – Focus on sky gradients, light, and texture.
Fruit Study – Practice blending and colour harmony.
Palette Knife Abstract – Explore texture and movement.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

❌ Using too much solvent – It weakens the paint film.
✅ Keep it minimal; oil paints should feel creamy, not watery.

❌ Skipping the underdrawing – This leads to poor composition.
✅ Lightly sketch your subject first with charcoal or diluted Burnt Umber.

❌ Rushing drying time – Oils take days to cure.
✅ Allow layers to dry fully before applying more paint or varnish.

❌ Overcleaning brushes mid-session – It disrupts flow.
✅ Simply wipe them between colours; wash thoroughly at the end.

The Joy of Oil Painting

Oil painting rewards patience and experimentation. It’s slow-drying, forgiving, and full of potential for subtle colour shifts and rich texture. Don’t rush to finish — enjoy how each stage reveals something new.

Remember: every great painter was once a beginner. The more you paint, the more you’ll feel at home with the medium’s rhythm and depth.

Beginner’s FAQ: Oil Painting with Clara Wren

1. Do I need solvent to paint with oils?

Not necessarily. Solvents like odourless mineral spirits help thin paint and clean brushes, but you can also use water-mixable oils for a safer, solvent-free setup.

2. How long do oil paintings take to dry?

Touch-dry in 2–5 days, depending on thickness and pigment. Full curing takes several months.

3. Can I paint over a wet layer?

Yes — oil paints blend beautifully when wet. Just remember the “fat over lean” rule if layering.

4. What’s the best surface for beginners?

Pre-primed canvas boards are perfect. They’re affordable, portable, and ready to paint on straight out of the pack.

5. Do I need to varnish my painting?

Varnish protects the surface and deepens colours. Wait at least 6 months before applying a final varnish like Gamvar Gloss or Satin.

6. Can I mix oil paint with acrylic?

You can paint oil over acrylic, but never acrylic over oil. Acrylic dries fast and forms a stable base layer.

7. How do I clean my brushes safely?

Wipe excess paint, then wash with The Masters Brush Cleaner and warm water. Avoid harsh chemicals.

8. Is oil painting suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. Its slow drying time allows for easy corrections and rich blending. Start small, use quality materials, and enjoy the process.