Oil Painting for Beginners: Essential Tips to Get Started
Starting on oil painting is both exciting and rewarding. Whether you’re an art student, hobbyist, or an amateur painter, understanding the basics can set you on the path to creating beautiful artworks. Here are some essential tips to help you begin your oil painting adventure.
1. Choose the Right Materials
Starting with quality materials can make a significant difference in your painting experience. Invest in a few high-quality brushes—three different sizes should suffice to start with. You can use synthetic brushes made for acrylic paints for oil, but there is also a range of natural hair brushes that can be used with oil.
2. Understand the ‘Fat Over Lean’ Principle
This is probably the most important rule of oil painting, especially if you are painting wet on wet. Fat paint refers to how much oil is present. By adding an oil medium to your paint, you are making it fatter. By adding a solvent to your oil paint, you are breaking down the oil and making it leaner. The fatter the paint, the slower it dries.
3. Prime Your Painting Surface
You can paint on many different surfaces—canvas, wood, paper—but whichever you choose, it’s important to apply a type of primer called gesso to the painting surface to prevent the oil from seeping into the surface, protect the surface from the acids in the paint, and provide a surface that the paint will adhere to more easily.
Did You Know? CanvasLot canvases are made from 100% cotton canvas and doubled primed with acid-free acrylic gesso ready to be painted on.
4. Start Small and Simple
Painting small gives you the chance to try out techniques and experiment with color without investing too much time or material into the process. You can buy some small 8×10 inch canvases or canvas boards, or even try painting with oils on paper.
5. Maintain a Well-Ventilated Workspace
Oil paints and solvents can emit fumes that are harmful when inhaled over prolonged periods. Ensure your painting area is well-ventilated by opening windows or using fans to circulate air. This practice promotes a healthier and more comfortable environment for your creativity to flourish.
6. Practice Patience
Oil painting requires patience, as the drying time is longer compared to other mediums. This extended drying period allows for blending and making changes, but it also means you need to plan your layers and drying times accordingly. Embrace the process and take your time to build your painting gradually.
7. Clean Your Brushes Properly
It’s important to clean your brush between colors and with soap and water when finished painting. Oil painting can get messy. Have paper towels and rags handy to wipe excess paint and turpentine off your brushes. Have two containers available while painting—one for turpentine for cleaning your brush between colors and one for medium to mix with your paint.
Oil painting is a journey filled with learning and discovery. You’ll be well-prepared to explore this rich and versatile medium with these foundational aspects. Don’t be discouraged—remember, every artist starts as a beginner. Happy painting!