How to Oil Paint: Different Ways to Master the Craft

Oil painting has been a favorite medium among artists for centuries due to its versatility, depth of color, and durability. From classical realism to abstract expressionism, oil paint allows artists to explore different techniques and styles.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with oil painting, explore various methods, and guide you through the process of painting like a pro.

Understanding Oil Paint: What Makes It Special?

Oil paint is made of pigment suspended in drying oils, such as linseed oil. This composition gives the paint its characteristic slow drying time, which allows artists to blend and work on their paintings for extended periods. The flexibility and rich texture of oil paint make it an ideal medium for both beginners and experienced artists.

Why Choose Oil Paint?

Long drying time: This allows for blending, reworking, and layering without drying out too quickly.
Versatility: Oil paints can be applied in thin glazes or thick, textured strokes.
Durability: When dried and properly varnished, oil paintings can last for centuries.
Rich color depth: Oil paints provide unmatched vibrancy and depth in color.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need for Oil Painting

Before starting your oil painting journey, you need to gather the right tools and materials. Having the correct supplies ensures that your painting process runs smoothly.

Basic Supplies

Oil Paints: Choose a beginner’s set with primary colors (red, yellow, blue), white, black, and a few additional hues.
Brushes: Invest in a variety of brushes (flat, round, filbert, and detail brushes). Natural hog bristle or synthetic brushes work well for oil painting.
Palette: Use a wooden or disposable paper palette for mixing colors.
Canvas or Painting Surface: Choose pre-stretched canvas, canvas boards, or oil-primed paper.
Palette Knife: For mixing paint or applying thick layers of paint directly onto the canvas.
Linseed Oil or Other Mediums: Linseed oil thins paint and increases transparency.
Turpentine or Mineral Spirits: These solvents are used for cleaning brushes and thinning paint.
Rags or Paper Towels: For wiping brushes and excess paint.
Easel: To hold your canvas upright as you paint.

Optional Supplies

Varnish: To protect your finished painting after it’s fully dry.
Glazing Medium: For creating transparent layers.
Drying Medium: To accelerate the drying time of oil paints.

Step-by-Step Guide to Basic Oil Painting Techniques

Let’s dive into the core techniques of oil painting that will help you build your skills. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate artist, these methods form the foundation of any oil painting style.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Workspace

Oil painting can get messy, so it’s essential to set up a well-ventilated and organized workspace.

Cover Your Work Area: Protect your surfaces with plastic, newspaper, or a drop cloth.
Ventilation: Open windows or use a fan to ensure good airflow, especially if you’re using turpentine or other solvents.
Arrange Your Tools: Have your palette, brushes, and paints easily accessible.

Step 2: Prepping Your Canvas

Before applying paint, ensure that your canvas is primed with gesso. Most canvases come pre-primed, but if not, apply a thin layer of gesso to create a smooth, absorbent surface.

Apply Gesso: If needed, apply gesso with a large brush, allowing each layer to dry before adding more.
Optional Sanding: For a smoother finish, sand the dried gesso lightly between coats.

Step 3: Sketching Your Composition

Begin by lightly sketching your composition on the canvas. You can use a graphite pencil or thinned-out paint for this stage.

Use a Light Hand: Keep your sketch light so it doesn’t show through the paint layers.
Thinned-Out Paint: Some artists prefer using a diluted oil paint mixture to sketch. This creates a fluid, painterly sketch.

Step 4: Underpainting (Imprimatura)

Underpainting is the process of laying down the first layer of color to establish the values (light and dark areas) in your painting. It is usually done in a monochromatic scheme.

Choose a Neutral Color: Use earth tones such as burnt sienna or raw umber for the underpainting.
Apply Thin Layers: Dilute your paint with turpentine or mineral spirits to create a wash of color. Use a large brush to cover the entire canvas quickly.

Oil Painting Techniques: Different Ways to Paint with Oils

Oil painting is highly versatile, allowing for various methods and styles. Here are the most popular techniques you can try to add texture, depth, and richness to your artwork.

1. Alla Prima (Wet-on-Wet)

Alla prima, or “wet-on-wet,” refers to the technique of completing a painting in one session while the paint is still wet. This method is ideal for quick, expressive works and landscapes.

How to Paint Alla Prima

Start with Thicker Paint: Since you’ll be working wet into wet, start with a thicker application of paint. No need to wait for layers to dry.
Blend on the Canvas: Mix and blend colors directly on the canvas using your brush or palette knife.
Work Quickly: Because the paint stays wet for hours, you have the flexibility to blend, but you need to work before it dries.
Build Texture: For bold textures, apply thicker impasto strokes using a palette knife.

2. Glazing (Layering)

Glazing involves building up layers of transparent paint to create depth and luminous effects. Each layer must dry before the next is applied.

How to Paint with Glazes

Thin the Paint: Mix a small amount of paint with a glazing medium or linseed oil to achieve transparency.
Apply Thin Layers: Apply thin, transparent layers of color over dried sections of your painting.
Let Layers Dry: Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next. This technique works best for achieving smooth transitions and deep colors.
Build Depth: Use glazes to darken areas and create complex color tones.

Pro Tip: Glazing works exceptionally well in portrait painting for building realistic skin tones.

3. Scumbling

Scumbling is the technique of applying a thin, broken layer of opaque or semi-opaque paint over an underpainting. It allows some of the color beneath to show through, adding texture and variation.

How to Scumble

Use a Dry Brush: Load your brush with a small amount of thick paint and drag it lightly over the canvas so that it skips over the surface.
Highlight Areas: Scumbling works well for creating texture, highlights, or a sense of atmosphere.
Experiment with Colors: Use contrasting colors to make areas pop, or use neutral tones for a more subtle effect.

4. Impasto

Impasto is the technique of applying thick paint to the canvas, creating texture and dimensionality. This technique was famously used by artists like Vincent van Gogh.

How to Paint with Impasto

Load the Brush or Palette Knife: Scoop up a large amount of paint on your brush or palette knife.
Apply Thickly: Apply the paint to the canvas in bold, sweeping strokes. You can also press the palette knife into the paint to create ridges and peaks.
Create Texture: Use impasto in certain areas of your painting to create a focal point or to add energy to the composition.

Pro Tip: For impasto work, consider using fast-drying mediums to prevent the paint from smudging or cracking.

Color Mixing and Blending in Oil Painting

Color mixing is one of the most crucial aspects of oil painting. Since oil paints have a slow drying time, you can blend colors easily on the canvas, creating subtle transitions and gradients.

Primary and Secondary Colors

Start by understanding the basics of color mixing. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Mixing these will give you secondary colors such as green, purple, and orange.

Mix on the Palette: Use your palette to mix colors, starting with small amounts to avoid waste.
Gradual Blending: For smooth transitions, blend colors directly on the canvas by working wet-on-wet.
Use a Palette Knife: A palette knife allows for more precise mixing without contaminating your brush.

How to Create Shadows and Highlights

Shadows: Mix in a touch of blue, green, or burnt umber to darken your colors and create natural shadows.
Highlights: Add white or a lighter version of your base color for highlights. Avoid using pure white, as it can appear flat.
Color Temperature: Experiment with warm and cool tones to bring your painting to life. Warm colors advance, while cool colors recede.

Drying and Finishing Your Oil Painting

Oil paint dries slowly, so patience is key when finishing your painting. Depending on the thickness of the paint, drying times can range from a few days to several weeks.

Drying Time

Thin Layers Dry Faster: Paint applied in thin layers or washes will dry quicker than thick impasto strokes.
Consider Fast-Drying Mediums: If you’re in a hurry, add fast-drying mediums like alkyd to your paint.

Varnishing Your Oil Painting

Varnishing is the final step in protecting your oil painting and giving it a consistent finish.

Wait Until Completely Dry: Ensure your painting is fully cured (6-12 months) before varnishing.
Apply Varnish Evenly: Use a soft brush to apply an even layer of varnish. There are gloss, matte, and satin varnishes available depending on your desired finish.
Let Dry: Allow the varnish to dry completely before handling or framing your artwork.

Conclusion

Oil painting is a rewarding and versatile medium that offers endless possibilities for creative expression. From the simple act of applying paint to the canvas, to mastering advanced techniques like glazing and impasto, oil painting requires both patience and practice.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, following the steps and techniques outlined in this guide will help you create stunning oil paintings with professional results.

Remember, every stroke brings you closer to mastery, so keep experimenting, learning, and enjoying the art of oil painting!