How Long Does it Take to Learn Oil Painting?

Oil paint is a popular medium used by painters of all skill levels. Oil paints are made of powdered pigments mixed with drying oil, which acts as a binder. Oil paintings are known to be durable and long-lasting. The heaviness of oil paints makes oil painting slow drying. This allows painters to touch up their pieces and correct mistakes. 

You can learn the basics of oil painting in about six to twelve months. It can take years to become a professional-level oil painter. Of course, the amount of time it takes for you to learn oil painting and become proficient in it will depend on several factors. Keep reading to learn about how you can learn oil painting and some resources that can help speed the process along. 

What is Oil Painting?

The first oil colors were used in the 7th century CE to produce cave paintings. By the 11th century, Europeans were using oil colors to paint. Oil painting has evolved over time. Artists discovered new techniques and improved upon materials and tools used in oil painting. You might be familiar with artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Diego Velázquez, all of whom are well-known oil painters of the past.

Oil painting is highly respected among the fine arts for several reasons. Some of the world’s most valuable paintings were made using oil colors. Oil paintings are long-lasting thanks to the durability of oil paints. They are more resistant to wear and tear from stains and fingerprints than other mediums, which is why so many oil paintings from centuries past have managed to be preserved. Oil painting is also considered by some to be difficult because of the many tools it requires, further impacting the perceived respectability of the medium in the art world. 

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Benefits of Learning Oil Painting?

Learning to oil paint can be a great way to explore your creativity. When you work on a painting from start to finish, you’re able to work on a multi-step creative process. This is also a great outlet for stress and anxiety. Painting is a good distraction if something in your life is causing you stress. Many hobby painters have expressed that painting is a relaxation tool for them. 

Oil paints take a long time to dry, so working on an oil painting will require you to be patient. You may have to wait in between adding layers to your painting, depending on the technique you’re using. You’ll also need to wait for the painting to completely dry to be considered finished. This final drying time can take anywhere from hours to days, depending on a variety of factors. 

Finishing an oil painting on your own can provide you with a sense of accomplishment and improve your self-confidence. It’s a big feat to finish a painting, let alone with a medium that you’re unfamiliar with. Once you’ve gotten the hang of oil painting, you can hang your pieces up, gift them to family or friends, or sell them. 

Average Time It Takes to Learn Oil Painting

Learning the basics of oil painting can take between 6 and 12 months. Students who major in fine arts and focus on oil painting can take between two to four years to receive a thorough education. Many professionals, however, stated that they did not feel proficient in oil painting until they had been practicing it for years. 

If you’re looking to learn oil painting as a hobby, you can expect to become satisfied with your knowledge of oil painting by around the nine-month mark. This is typically considered a sufficient amount of time to learn the foundations of oil painting along with basic techniques. 

Taking an in-person oil painting class can help you learn the basics of oil painting thoroughly. Classes are taught by an expert instructor who can safely guide you by using oil paints. You also have the option of teaching yourself how to oil paint by watching online videos and tutorials. This method may take longer, however, because you won’t have access to an instructor to ask questions. 

The time that it’ll take for you to learn oil painting, whether it be as a hobby or to paint professionally, will depend on a variety of factors, which are detailed in this guide. 

Other Factors

Like any craft, the time it takes to learn oil painting will depend on various factors that influence the person learning. You should consider these factors when deciding how much time to commit to learning how to oil paint. 

Prior Experience

Those with prior art experience might find oil painting easier to pick up than those with no art experience. This is because they’re more likely to understand things like color theory, color mixing, composition, and the impact of lighting on a painting. These are concepts that play a role in not just oil painting, but in other types of art as well. Conversely, painters who use mediums other than oil paint might find it difficult to learn to use oil paints. 

Some painters have admitted to being intimidated by oil painting because of the materials it requires. Oil paint is notorious for its use of solvents to break down paint. Solvents can help thin paint, remove clumps, and clean paint brushes. Other popular mediums, like watercolor and acrylics, use water to do these things. Making the switch from water to solvent can be jarring for some, especially considering there are still toxic solvents on the market. 

Free Time

The more free time you have to dedicate to learning to paint, the quicker you’ll learn. It’s recommended that you try to spend 10 hours a week learning the basics of oil painting. At this rate, you should be on track to understanding the foundational concepts and techniques within 6-12 months. 

Learning Speed

Some people learn new skills faster than others, which is okay. You may find that you have learned one craft quickly, but learning painting is slower going. The most important way to learn oil painting is not quickly, but safely. It’s important that you understand how to use your materials and that you can apply what you’ve learned. 

Project Type

Many oil painting classes teach you foundational skills while guiding you through projects. This can be useful in showing you the practical applications of what you’re learning in class. The type of project you’re working on will influence the skills you’re taught, as will the size of the project. Some techniques are better suited for smaller works while others are better suited for larger works; certain techniques will also be better suited for different genres of paintings. 

What to Know Before Learning Oil Painting

When you begin learning how to oil paint, you’ll want to focus on learning the basics. You’ll need to know about color mixing, color theory, and composition. It’s also important that you learn about the materials you’re using. You should know what type of oil paints, brushes, and solvents you’re using and why. You can find resources online to help you get started and enroll in an oil painting class on CourseHorse

Most beginner-level classes and projects don’t require you to have prior experience with oil paints or painting at all. However, it’s useful to have a degree of artistic ability and/or the ability to draw. Some schools and studios will require you to take a drawing class before enrolling in a painting class. 

Learning how to oil paint is relatively inexpensive. You’ll need a few essential oil colors, paint brushes, a canvas, an easel, and paint solvent. These can be purchased at your local art or hobbyist store. Once you understand the basics of oil painting, you can invest in more and higher-quality tools and materials.

Can I Learn Oil Painting for Free / on My Own?

You can learn the basics of oil painting online on your own for free by watching videos and tutorials. This is a good way to learn about materials and terminology. If you prefer to self-teach, this option is convenient. However, you won’t have access to an instructor to ask questions of, so this method might make the learning process take a while. 

Key Takeaways

• It can take 6-12 months to learn the basics of oil painting. Becoming proficient in oil painting and satisfied with your work can take years. 
• The amount of time it takes you to learn oil painting is influenced by your prior experience, how much free time you can dedicate to learning, the speed with which you learn new things, and the type of project you’re working on as you learn. 
• The basics of oil painting can be learned through online videos and tutorials, although this method may take some time. 
• You can contact CourseHorse to learn about options for online or in-person training, including private group sessions, that are available to you.