What Do You Need to Learn Oil Painting?

Oil paints are a popular medium among artists of all skill levels. These paints are made by mixing powdered pigments and drying oils, which act as a binder. Oil paints are thick and heavy, which makes them slow drying but also durable. Oil paintings can last hundreds of years when taken care of. Many famous paintings were made using oil paints, which contributed to the popularity of the medium.

Oil painting is an intimidating painting process because it requires a lot of materials and supplies. Oil paint also stays wet for quite some time, which can be unfamiliar to painters who use other mediums. You might worry that oil painting will be too difficult to learn. This guide will help you understand what you need to know before you begin learning how to oil paint, including what tools you’ll need to get started. With a bit of preparation and patience, you’ll have the knowledge needed to start working on an oil painting of your own.

What is Oil Painting?

Evidence of oil colors was found in a cave in Bamiyan Afghanistan. It’s estimated that these colors were being used around the 7th century CE when an artist used oil extracted from walnuts or poppies to decorate the cave. By the 11th century, Europeans were using oil colors to paint. Over time, artists have developed new techniques, colors, and tools to help them create beautiful works of art.

The long history of oil paints has resulted in many well-known pieces being displayed in museums today. Even those with no knowledge of oil painting have likely learned about Van Gogh’s Starry Night and da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, both of which were made with oil paints. The durability of this medium as well as the respect that oil paintings have received has ensured that these pieces have survived centuries.

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You don’t need to be an expert to work with oil paints, although you should be cautious if working with them from home. Oil paints themselves are not toxic, but solvents are. Oil painting requires a solvent to thin the paint and to clean the brushes. It’s recommended that you take a course that will teach you how to safely use solvent when oil painting and that you work in a well-ventilated environment.

Benefits of Learning Oil Painting?

Mistakes made when oil painting is considered easier to fix than mistakes made using other mediums. This makes oil painting a forgiving medium. Painters of all skill levels can get started learning how to paint with oil colors. Oil painting is highly respected within the fine arts largely due to the well-known works that were created using oil paints as well as the appealing nature of the paint on canvas. This makes it a great medium to work with if you’re looking to sell your pieces in the future.

Learning how to paint also provides other benefits that you may not have considered. Painting is a relaxing activity, so it reduces stress and anxiety. Instead of thinking about the stressors in your life, you’ll be focused on what you’re creating. It also can help you become more patient because oil paint dries so slowly. You may have to wait for a layer to dry before continuing, depending on the technique you’re using, and you’ll have to wait for the entire piece to dry before considering it finished.

Is Oil Painting Easy to Learn?

Oil painting can be difficult to learn if you’re used to using other mediums. Oil painting is very unlike acrylics and watercolors, so it may take some time to adjust. If you’re new to painting, you might have an easier time learning how to oil paint than experienced painters.

You can learn how to oil paint in several ways. The self-teaching process involves watching online videos and tutorials and reading books on oil painting. This method is good for learning the basics of oil painting as well as the terminology. You can easily learn the differences between techniques and tools through this method. This method, however, doesn’t give you access to an instructor to whom you can ask questions.

Some people find oil painting easier to learn when guided by an instructor. In this case, you can enroll in an in-person or online oil painting class on CourseHorse. These classes will provide you with in-depth demonstrations. You’ll also have access to an instructor who can answer your questions and provide you with feedback and critique.

Oil painting classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Some classes are foundational while others focus on specific techniques. If you live in the NYC area, you can sign up for the 92nd St Y’s foundational class, Getting Started with Oil Painting, offered at their Manhattan location. If you know the basics and would like to challenge yourself, sign up for Creatively Wild Art Studio’s intermediate-level oil painting class. This stress-free Brooklyn-based class will encourage you to work on personal and challenging projects as you learn more about the process of oil painting.

What You Need to Know Before Learning Oil Painting

You don’t need to have experience painting before learning how to oil paint, although it may help. You may find it useful to go into learning how to oil paint with no prior experience because then you won’t understand techniques used with other mediums that could interfere with learning oil painting techniques.

Before you start oil painting, there are a few things you should know.

Know the materials you’re working with. When you begin using oil paints, you’ll need to know which ones have solvents in them. Turpentine is a solvent used for oil painting. Although it’s less common these days, you’ll want to be aware if you’re using this highly toxic fluid.
Have several major oil paint colors or a kit. There are many different oil colors to choose from. You may be tempted to start with cheaper student paints, but this may reflect in the quality of your painting. It’s recommended that you purchase several essential colors to start with or buy a kit that provides a variety of essential colors.
Invest in a palette knife. Palette knives are great for mixing colors and can be used instead of a brush. Painting with a palette knife will provide you with a more vibrant color and allow you to scrape off unwanted excess paint.
Paint tends to be thick. It’s recommended that you begin your paintings with thin washes and gradually thicken your layers. Thin layers will dry faster, making them prone to cracking. You don’t want your top layer to crack, hence the need to have thick layers up top.

What You Need to Learn Oil Painting

There are several essential tools needed to begin learning how to oil paint. If you’re just starting out learning how to oil paint, you may want to first take a class that will provide you with the necessary materials. You can refer to this list of essential tools and supplies once you’ve decided you’d like to invest in materials for your personal use.

Oil Paint

When you begin buying oil paints, you should stock up on the essential colors, like titanium white, cadmium red, cadmium yellow light, and ultramarine blue. There are starter kits available that will provide you with most if not all of the essential colors. You may also want to purchase smaller tubes of less essential colors that you think you might use.

If you don’t want to use solvents to thin your paint or clean your brushes, you can look into water-soluble oil colors. These paints are instead thinned with water and your brushes can be clean with soap and water. This is a non-toxic alternative to traditional oil paints that may be useful in the case of allergies.

Paint Brushes

When you first start out learning to oil paint, you don’t need to purchase that many brushes. The type of brush you use is more important than the number of brushes. Some brushes might be more comfortable for you to hold, and the thickness of a brush will impact how thin your lines can be. You can look at your local art or hobbyist store for brushes that are advertised for oil painting.

Paint Solvent

Paint solvent will help break down the oil in your paint. You might use solvent to tone your canvas, remove clumps in your paint, and speed up the drying time. It’s recommended that you purchase an odor-free solvent to prevent adverse reactions from allergies or asthma.

Palette and Palette Knife

Palettes are used to mix your colors. Palette knives are used to mix the colors on your palette. They are also useful for applying vibrant, textured strokes to your canvas.

Canvas and Easel

Most oil painters paint on canvas. You can buy canvas in packs that are a variety of sizes. An easel should be used to hold your canvas while you paint. It’s important to use an easel to prevent strain on the back and ensure full rotation of your arms and hands.

Key Takeaways

Oil painting can be difficult if you don’t understand the materials you’re using or the techniques that are best for the qualities that oil paints possess.
You can learn about oil painting materials and techniques using online resources or by taking an in-person or online oil painting class available to sign up for on CourseHorse,
To start oil painting, you’ll need several essential materials such as oil paints, paint brushes, solvent, a palette and palette knives, a canvas, and an easel.
Before investing in materials, you may want to take an oil painting class that will provide you with supplies. You can contact CourseHorse to find options for online or in-person training, including group sessions, through the contact form on their website.