How Difficult is it to Learn Oil Painting?

Are you interested in learning oil painting but are worried that it’ll be too difficult? The level of difficulty associated with learning a new skill is somewhat subjective. For some, learning to oil paint comes easily, while others may require more practice and instruction. The challenges you face will depend on factors like you’re understanding the materials you’re using, the cost of the materials you’re using, and you’re understanding of how to maintain proper safety when oil painting.

No matter your current schedule or comfort level with oil painting, there are plenty of tools available to help make learning easier than you might think.

What is Oil Painting?

Oil painting is a painting process that uses oil colors. These are made by mixing a drying oil with powdered pigment. The use of oil colors dates to the 7th century CE in Afghanistan. Oil colors were officially used to paint in 11th-century Europe. Since then, oil painting has undergone drastic changes. New techniques were developed as were tools and materials.

Oil paints are heavier and thicker than other mediums. This has made them exceptionally slow drying, requiring painters to exercise patience between layers or adopt the alla prima technique, which involves building wet layers upon each other. Oil paints form a hard enamel once dry, which makes them relatively resistant to stains, scratches, and fingerprints. When kept in good condition, oil paintings can last centuries.

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Benefits of Learning Oil Painting?

Learning how to oil paint can provide you with a creative outlet. Creative activities are known to reduce stress and anxiety and provide another means of communication. Hobbyist painters have reported that painting is a successful distraction from stressors in their lives, making it an ideal form of relaxation.

Oil paintings are highly respected within the fine arts. This is because of the long-lasting legacy of several oil paintings, like da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Van Gogh’s Starry Night, as well as the perceived difficulty of the process. Learning how to oil paint will provide you with the tools to successfully create an impactful piece of art. The oil paintings you create can be hung up, gifted to family and friends, or even displayed at a gallery or studio if they’re well-received.

What Are the Hardest Parts of Learning Oil Painting?

You’re bound to face a few challenges when learning how to oil paint. Common challenges include not understanding the materials you’re using, facing high materials costs, and failing to maintain your safety when oil painting. Luckily, if you’re facing these challenges, they can be overcome.

Understanding Materials

Some artists are reluctant to learn oil painting because of the materials involved. Like other types of painting, oil painting requires paint, brushes, and a painting surface. What differentiates oil painting from others is the use of paint solvents. Solvents are used to thin paint. This can help you remove clumps in your paint and clean it off your brushes.

Solvents can make some artists wary, especially if they’re used to using water-based paints. Solvents have varying degrees of toxicity and can be dangerous when improperly disposed of. If you are nervous about using solvents, there are a few things you can do to relieve your nerves:

Use a low-odor solvent, like petroleum-derived white spirit.
Always oil paint in a well-ventilated area.
Consider using water-soluble oil paints rather than traditional oil paints. These can be thinned and cleaned up using soap and water.

Be aware that non-traditional solvents and oil paints may be waterier than their traditional counterparts.

Cost

Oil paints typically cost more than other mediums like watercolors and acrylics. You have the option of purchasing student-grade or artist-grade oil paints. Student-grade oil paints are less expensive, but they also use less pigment and more fillers. This will reflect in the vibrancy of the paint.

Artist-grade paints use better materials and a higher ratio of pigment to oil. This results in more saturated colors. Artist-grade paints can therefore go a longer way than student-grade paints.

To avoid going overboard and purchasing expensive paints, consider looking into starter kits. These kits will include the consensus essential colors needed when oil painting. You may also want to consider buying small tubes of non-essential colors. These tubes are typically inexpensive and will last you a while if you’re primarily using the colors in your starter kit.

If you’re reluctant to spend money on oil paints and other materials when you’re only just learning how to oil paint, consider signing up for an in-person oil painting class. Many of these classes will provide you with all the necessary materials or may sell you a kit at a discounted price. This will allow you to experiment with oil paints before committing to purchasing any.

Maintaining Safety

Safety is the most important aspect of learning oil painting. Oil painting is notorious for its use of toxic and hazardous materials. Although many of these have been improved upon over the years, you still need to exercise caution. Follow these steps to ensure that you’re maintaining your safety when oil painting:

Work in a well-ventilated space that has access to fresh air.
Use a low-odor solvent.
Make sure that all mediums and solvents are correctly labeled.
The paper towels and rags you use are vulnerable to spontaneous combustion. You can properly dispose of them by putting them in an air-tight metal container or by sealing them in a thick disposable bag filled with water.
Wear nitrile gloves if you’re prone to allergic reactions.
Keep food and drinks away from your workspace to prevent accidental consumption of materials.
Wear gloves and a respirator when handling dry pigments.
Keep all materials and tools away from children and pets.

As long as you follow these basic rules, you should be able to enjoy oil painting safely.

Key Takeaways

Learning oil painting can be difficult if you don’t understand the materials you’re using and don’t know how to use them safely.
Taking the time to learn about oil paints and solvents can ensure that you’re working in a safe environment.
Oil painting can be expensive if you’re purchasing high-quality materials, like artist-grade paints. Luckily, high-quality materials will go a long way. You also don’t need to purchase a large volume of materials when you’re first learning how to oil paint.
You can learn more about how to safely use oil paints by enrolling in an oil painting class on CourseHorse. These classes may also provide you with materials that you can experiment with before purchasing some for yourself.
You can use the contact form on CourseHorse’s website to find options for online or in-person training, including private group sessions.