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Calculated Shard: 107 (from laksa021)

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curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa107.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

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{"found_url":"https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/","crawl_time":1775351155,"first_indexed_time":1530166179,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,drawpaintacademy!\/oil-painting\/ s443","src_root_hash":"2974186591763178707","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Oil Painting - The Ultimate Guide For Beginners - Draw Paint Academy","meta_descriptions":["Want to learn oil painting? I have compiled this guide to help you on your journey. Mastering oil painting is a long and amazing journey."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Oil paints are one of the most popular artistic mediums, and for good reason. They are versatile, archival, and economical. But it can be a struggle to pick up. There are some “rules” you need to be aware of and the techniques can take some time to become familiar with.\nThis guide covers most of the fundamental areas of oil painting to get you started.\nWhy Oil Painting?\nWhat Is Oil Paint?\nOil Painting Supplies\nOil Painting Color Palette\nSurfaces to Paint On\nOil Painting “Rules”\nOil Painting Techniques\nOil Painting Process\nWhat to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting\nOil Painting Books\nOil Painting Videos\nFamous Oil Painters\nFamous Oil Paintings\nOil Paint Clean-Up Time\nVarnishing Your Oil Painting\nOil Paint Safety\nAdditional Readings\nWant to Learn More?\nThanks for Reading!\nClaude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868\nPainting the Landscape (Free Workshop)\nI’ll walk you through the entire process using one of my recent paintings. You’ll see how I go from idea all the way through to reflecting on the finished painting.\nWhy would you use oil paints over some of the other alternatives like acrylics or watercolors? Here are some reasons:\nThey are versatile. You can vary the\ndrying time\nand consistency of your paint dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, glazing and\nscumbling\n.\nThey were favored by the all-time greats of painting. It is hard to argue the downside of using oil paints when so many amazing artists used them to such success.\nOil paintings seem to be held in higher regard by art collectors compared to acrylic paintings (there are some exceptions to this of course).\nYou really cannot go wrong with oil paints. If you are just starting out with painting, I suggest you jump straight into oil painting unless you really want to practice acrylics or watercolors.\nIf you think oil painting is too complex for you, then I urge you to reconsider. There are really only a few “rules” which you need to understand in oil painting (discussed later in this post) and the rest is pretty straightforward.\nWhat Is Oil Paint?\nOil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a\ndrying oil\n, usually\nlinseed oil\n. The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the pigment is and the medium which is used.\nYou can make oil paint more fluid by mixing it with more oil, or by adding a \nsolvent\n, however, this also weakens the paint.\nOil paint is generally at its most stable form straight from the tube. \nOil Painting Supplies\nHere is a basic set of oil painting\nsupplies and equipment\n:\nA range of small to large paintbrushes designed for oil painting. Hog hair and decent synthetic brushes are great for oil painting. You should read my guide here on\nartist paint brushes\nfor more information.\nAn easel.\nA palette\n.\nA basic palette of paints (discussed below).\nA surface to paint on (discussed below).\nOdorless solvent.\nLinseed oil.\nPaper towel (for wiping your brushes).\nI provide some more detail on the oil painting supplies\nin this post\n.\nOil Painting Color Palette\nWith your color palette, I suggest you use as few colors as possible. This will force you to learn how to mix your colors. At a minimum, you should have a red, blue, yellow, and white.\nHere is my current color palette:\nUltramarine blue\nCobalt blue\nCadmium yellow\nCadmium yellow light\nYellow ochre\nCadmium orange\nCadmium red\nAlizarin crimson\nRaw umber or burnt sienna\nTitanium white\nYou should also check out this post I wrote about the\nZorn palette\n.\nIn relation to the different brands of oil paint, I have had no issues with any of the top brands (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Michael Harding, etc). Just make sure you purchase “artist quality” over “student quality” if possible. There is a notable difference.\nSurfaces to Paint On\nCanvas became the most popular surface to paint on around the 15th\/16th century. Prior to that, wooden panels were used. There are two options with canvas:\nStretched canvas panels\n: Canvas stretched over a frame. These are what you will probably be doing most of your oil painting on.\nCanvas boards\n: A cheap and sturdy alternative to stretched canvas panels. Canvas boards are usually just canvas attached to a sturdy surface like cardboard. I use these for study works and demonstrations.\nYou can also paint on other surfaces, such as wooden boards, but you need to make sure that the surface you paint on has been primed with gesso.\nOil Painting “Rules”\nIn oil painting, there are some “rules” which you should follow to avoid your paint cracking.\nFat over lean\n: As noted earlier, oil paint is basically colored pigment that is held together by some kind of drying oil. The more oil present, the “fatter” the paint is and the slower it will dry. In general, you want to make sure the top layers of paint are fatter (or oiler) than the lower layers. Otherwise, the layers on top will dry faster than the layers below and the paint will crack.\nThick over thin\n: The reasoning behind this rule is the same as the above rule. You want to make sure the paint at the top dries slower than the paint at the bottom. Thick paint will\nusually\ndry slower than thin paint.\nIn practice, I will start a painting with thin paint which has been mixed with some odorless solvent. Then I start using paint straight from the tube and take advantage of the paint texture.\nTip:\nVisible brushwork is a fantastic element of painting, but it is often overlooked by beginners. Below is a close-up of one of my paintings which demonstrates visible brushwork. This kind of visible brushwork is only possible when you use a brush loaded with thick paint.\nThese rules are only really applicable to the traditional painting approach where you would paint layer on layer using\nglazes\n. If you paint\nalla prima\n then you do not need to worry as much about these rules. However, it is still important to understand them.\nIf you want to make sure you never have an issue with the fat over lean rule, then just use paint straight from the tube. This way most of the paint will have a similar drying time and the paint on top should not dry any faster than the paint at the bottom. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as the drying time of paint is influenced by many factors. But you should not have any issues in practice.\nOil Painting Techniques\nI discuss the different oil painting techniques\nin this post\n. Here are the techniques which I use most frequently:\nScumbling – This is a dry-brush technique that involves gently dragging your brush over the canvas to produce a broken color effect.\nThin washes with solvent – By mixing oil paint with solvent, you can produce a very thin wash of transparent color which dries fast. This is how I usually start my paintings.\nMulti-colored brush strokes – If you leave various colors unmixed on your brush, you can create these beautiful multi-colored streaks.\nI do not use glazing all that much. I prefer to build up paint on the canvas by using scumbling, as it can produce an interesting broken color effect.\nDan Scott, Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, 2017\nOil Painting Process\nHere is my general approach for completing an oil painting:\nFirst, I stain the canvas with a thin wash of paint plus solvent. I generally use some kind of earth tone like raw umber or burnt sienna. This gets rid of any white on the canvas, which can be difficult to paint on top of.\nSecond, I do a rough sketch of the composition. I will use more detail for more complex subjects.\nThird, I quickly block in the general shapes and colors, trying to establish the structure and color\nharmony\n. I do not want to get caught up in the detail just yet.\nForth, I refine what is on the canvas until there are no more problems to solve.\nFifth, I sign the painting and go through my\npost-painting processes\n.\nHere are some tutorials which demonstrate my process:\nLandscape Painting Tutorial – Painting The Overland Track Using Oils\nOil Painting Tutorial For Beginners – Overcast Day In Bali\nOil Painting Tutorial – New Zealand Reflections\nPainting Tutorial – Secrets On The Lake On A Bright, Sunny Day In Oils\nPainting Tutorial – Afternoon In Queenstown, New Zealand\nLandscape Painting Tutorial – Mount Barney\nWhat to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting\nHere is a summary of what I do after I have\nfinished an oil painting\n:\nI leave it on the easel for a few days to see if I am truly happy with the result.\nI wait for an overcast day to photograph the painting outside.\nI leave the painting somewhere safe to dry (out of any direct sunlight and preferably away from dust).\nI write a tutorial about the painting on Draw Paint Academy.\nI post the painting on any relevant\nsocial media platforms\n.\nPhotographing Your Painting\nOil Painting Books\nAlla Prima II – Expanded Edition Everything I Know about Painting–And More\nFill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color\nLandscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice\nKen Howard a Personal View: Inspired by Light (Atelier Series)\nDaily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist\nThere are some more books included in my\noil painting reading list\n.\nOil Painting Videos\nYou can see my oil painting videos\nhere\n.\nBelow are some other channels you might be interested in:\nThe Art Students League of New York\nDraw Mix Paint\nDG Paints\nSergey Gusev\nJeff Watts\nFine Art Academy\nColour in Your Life\nKevin Hill\nFamous Oil Painters\nHere are some famous oil painters you should explore:\nVincent van Gogh\nFrida Kahlo\nClaude Monet\nRembrandt\nJoaquín Sorolla\nBerthe Morisot\nJohn Singer Sargent\nJames Abbott McNeill Whistler\nCaravaggio\nLucian Freud\nYou can see beautiful close-ups of these paintings on\nWikiart\n.\nJohn Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878\nFamous Oil Paintings\nThere have been many famous oil paintings created, too many to even fathom. Here are just a handful of famous oil paintings from various eras:\nAuguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette\nClaude Monet, Woman With A Parasol – Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875\nVincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889\nEdvard Munch, The Scream\nGeorges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte\nJames McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s Mother\nSandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus\nLeonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa\nJohannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660\nRembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632\nOil Paint Clean-Up Time\nThe downside of oil painting is the cleanup time. No matter how hard I try, oil paint just seems to just get around. To clean up after your oil painting session, you can use soapy water but more preferably solvent or turpentine. As the paint is oil based, water is not effective.\nYou also need to make sure you take care of your brushes. Your brushes will not last long if you do not properly clean them after a session (and you do not intend to use them again in the near future). I usually just take the brushes and work them on a bar of soap and then rinse them through warm water. You can read more about cleaning your oil paint brushes\nhere\n.\nVarnishing Your Oil Painting\nYou can varnish your oil painting to protect it from the environment. Over time, dust, debris, wind and other elements can damage an unvarnished painting.\nVarnish acts as a layer between the paint and the environment. But you need to ensure that the varnish you apply is removable\n. \nThis allows for the painting to be restored at a later time if needed (colors tend to fade over time).\nThe process is fairly simple. You need to wait for the painting to dry completely. For paintings with thick paint, this could take up to 3 months.\nYou generally have the choice between gloss or matte varnish. This is mostly up to personal preference.\nThen, take your varnish and spread it evenly over your painting using a large\nbrush\n. Here is a demonstration of the process:\nOil Paint Safety\nOil paint and the relevant mediums are toxic, so you need to handle them with care. If you are sensitive to the chemicals, you might want to consider using gloves. And, of course, keep your paints out of reach of children.\nYou should also make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area.\nAdditional Readings\nOil Painting Tips For Beginners\nAcrylic versus Oil Painting – Which Medium Should You Start With?\n7 Of The Best Oil Painting Demonstration Videos On Youtube\n9 Oil Painting Techniques For Beginners\nHow To Start An Oil Painting\nWant to Learn More?\nYou might be interested in my \nPainting Academy\n course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters.\nThanks for Reading!\nI appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends.\nHappy painting!\nDan Scott\nDraw Paint Academy\nAbout\n | \nSupply List\n | \nFeatured Posts\n | \nProducts\nDan Scott\nis the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the\nAbout page\n.\nEnjoyed this post? Join\nover 100,000 artists\nwho subscribe to the Draw Paint Academy newsletter.","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=1494244594211294&ev=PageView&noscript=1)\n\n![](https:\/\/ct.pinterest.com\/v3\/?tid=2618085889290&pd[em]=dan@drawpaintacademy.com&noscript=1)\n\n[Skip to content](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#content \"Skip to content\")\n\n[![Draw Paint Academy](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/cropped-Draw-Paint-Academy2-1.png)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/)\n\nMenu\n\nMenu\n\n- [Start Here](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/start-here\/)\n- [Articles](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/blog\/)\n- [Videos](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/videos\/)\n- [Supply List](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/supplies\/)\n- [Gallery](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/gallery\/dan-scott-paintings\/)\n- [Products](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/art-courses\/)\n- [Free Tools](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/)\n- [Newsletter](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/newsletter\/)\n- [Members](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/member-access\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/about\/)\n\n# Oil Painting – The Ultimate Guide for Beginners\nDecember 9, 2023\n\nJune 28, 2018\n\nby [Dan Scott](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/author\/dscottbusiness1gmail-com\/ \"View all posts by Dan Scott\")\n\n[15 Comments](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comments)\n\nJune 28, 2018  [15](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comments)\n\nShare\n\n- [Copy link](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/)\n- [Email](mailto:?subject=Oil%20Painting%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners&body=Oil%20Painting%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%0A%0AOil%20paints%20are%20one%20of%20the%20most%20popular%20artistic%20mediums%2C%20and%20for%20good%20reason.%20They%20are%20versatile%2C%20archival%2C%20and%20economical.%20But%20it%20can%20be%20a%20struggle%20to%20pick%20up.%20There%20are%20some%20%E2%80%9Crules%E2%80%9D%20you%20need%20to%20be%20aware%20of%20and%20the%20techniques%20can%20take%20some%20time%20to%20become%C2%A0familiar%20with.%20This%20guide%20covers%20most%20of%20the%20...%20Read%20more%0A%0ARead%20more%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fdrawpaintacademy.com%2Foil-painting%2F)\n- [Share to Pinterest](https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/&media=https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Claude-Monet-Seacoast-At-Saint-Adresse-Sunset-1864.jpg&description=Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%20-%20Oil%20paints%20are%20one%20of%20the%20most%20popular%20artistic%20mediums%2C%20and%20for%20good%20reason.%20They%20are%20versatile%2C%20archival%2C%20and%20economical.%20But%20it%20can%20be%20a%20struggle%20to%20pick%20up.%20There%20are%20some%20%26%238220%3Brules%26%238221%3B%20you%20need%20to%20be%20aware%20of%20and%20the%20techniques%20can%20take%20some%20time%20to%20become%26nbsp%3Bfamiliar%20with.%20This%20guide%20covers%20most%20of%20the%20...%20%3Ca%20title%3D%22Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%22%20class%3D%22read-more%22%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fdrawpaintacademy.com%2Foil-painting%2F%22%20aria-label%3D%22Read%20more%20about%20Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%22%3ERead%20more%3C%2Fa%3E)\n- [Share to Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/)\n- [![X](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/x-twitter.png) Share to X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/&text=Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners)\n\nOil paints are one of the most popular artistic mediums, and for good reason. They are versatile, archival, and economical. But it can be a struggle to pick up. There are some “rules” you need to be aware of and the techniques can take some time to become familiar with.\n\nThis guide covers most of the fundamental areas of oil painting to get you started.\n\n- [Why Oil Painting?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#why-oil-painting)\n- [What Is Oil Paint?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#what-is-oil-paint)\n- [Oil Painting Supplies](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-supplies)\n- [Oil Painting Color Palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-color-palette)\n- [Surfaces to Paint On](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#surfaces-to-paint-on)\n- [Oil Painting “Rules”](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-rules)\n- [Oil Painting Techniques](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-techniques)\n- [Oil Painting Process](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-process)\n- [What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#what-to-do-after-you-have-finished-your-oil-painting)\n- [Oil Painting Books](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-books)\n- [Oil Painting Videos](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-videos)\n- [Famous Oil Painters](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#famous-oil-painters)\n- [Famous Oil Paintings](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#famous-oil-paintings)\n- [Oil Paint Clean-Up Time](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-paint-cleanup-time)\n- [Varnishing Your Oil Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#varnishing-your-oil-painting)\n- [Oil Paint Safety](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-paint-safety)\n- [Additional Readings](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#additional-readings)\n- [Want to Learn More?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#want-to-learn-more)\n- [Thanks for Reading\\!](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#thanks-for-reading)\n\n![Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Claude-Monet-Fishing-Boats-At-Sea-1868.jpg)\n\nClaude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868\n\n[Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/painting-the-landscape\/ \"Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)\")\n\nI’ll walk you through the entire process using one of my recent paintings. You’ll see how I go from idea all the way through to reflecting on the finished painting.\n\n[![Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Dan-Scott-Fraser-Island-Analogous-Colors-2024-700W.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/painting-the-landscape\/ \"Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)\")\n\n[Join for Free](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/painting-the-landscape\/ \"Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)\")\n## Why Oil Painting?\nWhy would you use oil paints over some of the other alternatives like acrylics or watercolors? Here are some reasons:\n\n- They are versatile. You can vary the [drying time](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/) and consistency of your paint dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, glazing and [scumbling](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/).\n- They were favored by the all-time greats of painting. It is hard to argue the downside of using oil paints when so many amazing artists used them to such success.\n- Oil paintings seem to be held in higher regard by art collectors compared to acrylic paintings (there are some exceptions to this of course).\n\nYou really cannot go wrong with oil paints. If you are just starting out with painting, I suggest you jump straight into oil painting unless you really want to practice acrylics or watercolors.\n\nIf you think oil painting is too complex for you, then I urge you to reconsider. There are really only a few “rules” which you need to understand in oil painting (discussed later in this post) and the rest is pretty straightforward.\n\n## What Is Oil Paint?\nOil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a [drying oil](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-paint-drying-time\/), usually [linseed oil](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B004BNHDEI?tag=drawpaintacademy-20). The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the pigment is and the medium which is used.\n\nYou can make oil paint more fluid by mixing it with more oil, or by adding a [solvent](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00IIWQFO2?tag=drawpaintacademy-20), however, this also weakens the paint. **Oil paint is generally at its most stable form straight from the tube.**\n\n## Oil Painting Supplies\nHere is a basic set of oil painting [supplies and equipment](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/supplies\/):\n\n- A range of small to large paintbrushes designed for oil painting. Hog hair and decent synthetic brushes are great for oil painting. You should read my guide here on [artist paint brushes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/artist-paint-brushes\/) for more information.\n- An easel.\n- [A palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/artist-palettes\/).\n- A basic palette of paints (discussed below).\n- A surface to paint on (discussed below).\n- Odorless solvent.\n- Linseed oil.\n- Paper towel (for wiping your brushes).\n\nI provide some more detail on the oil painting supplies [in this post](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting-supply-list\/).\n\n## Oil Painting Color Palette\nWith your color palette, I suggest you use as few colors as possible. This will force you to learn how to mix your colors. At a minimum, you should have a red, blue, yellow, and white.\n\nHere is my current color palette:\n\n- Ultramarine blue\n- Cobalt blue\n- Cadmium yellow\n- Cadmium yellow light\n- Yellow ochre\n- Cadmium orange\n- Cadmium red\n- Alizarin crimson\n- Raw umber or burnt sienna\n- Titanium white\n\nYou should also check out this post I wrote about the [Zorn palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/zorn-palette\/).\n\nIn relation to the different brands of oil paint, I have had no issues with any of the top brands (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Michael Harding, etc). Just make sure you purchase “artist quality” over “student quality” if possible. There is a notable difference.\n\n![Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners - Color Palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_3066.jpg)\n\n## Surfaces to Paint On\nCanvas became the most popular surface to paint on around the 15th\/16th century. Prior to that, wooden panels were used. There are two options with canvas:\n\n**Stretched canvas panels**: Canvas stretched over a frame. These are what you will probably be doing most of your oil painting on.\n\n**Canvas boards**: A cheap and sturdy alternative to stretched canvas panels. Canvas boards are usually just canvas attached to a sturdy surface like cardboard. I use these for study works and demonstrations.\n\nYou can also paint on other surfaces, such as wooden boards, but you need to make sure that the surface you paint on has been primed with gesso.\n\n## Oil Painting “Rules”\nIn oil painting, there are some “rules” which you should follow to avoid your paint cracking.\n\n[**Fat over lean**](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/fat-over-lean\/): As noted earlier, oil paint is basically colored pigment that is held together by some kind of drying oil. The more oil present, the “fatter” the paint is and the slower it will dry. In general, you want to make sure the top layers of paint are fatter (or oiler) than the lower layers. Otherwise, the layers on top will dry faster than the layers below and the paint will crack.\n\n**Thick over thin**: The reasoning behind this rule is the same as the above rule. You want to make sure the paint at the top dries slower than the paint at the bottom. Thick paint will *usually* dry slower than thin paint.\n\nIn practice, I will start a painting with thin paint which has been mixed with some odorless solvent. Then I start using paint straight from the tube and take advantage of the paint texture.\n\n> ***Tip:** Visible brushwork is a fantastic element of painting, but it is often overlooked by beginners. Below is a close-up of one of my paintings which demonstrates visible brushwork. This kind of visible brushwork is only possible when you use a brush loaded with thick paint.*\n\n![Overall Track Painting Tutorial - Close Up 4](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Close-Up.jpg)\n\nThese rules are only really applicable to the traditional painting approach where you would paint layer on layer using [glazes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/glaze\/). If you paint [alla prima](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/alla-prima-painting-tips\/) then you do not need to worry as much about these rules. However, it is still important to understand them.\n\nIf you want to make sure you never have an issue with the fat over lean rule, then just use paint straight from the tube. This way most of the paint will have a similar drying time and the paint on top should not dry any faster than the paint at the bottom. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as the drying time of paint is influenced by many factors. But you should not have any issues in practice.\n\n## Oil Painting Techniques\nI discuss the different oil painting techniques [in this post](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/). Here are the techniques which I use most frequently:\n\n- Scumbling – This is a dry-brush technique that involves gently dragging your brush over the canvas to produce a broken color effect.\n- Thin washes with solvent – By mixing oil paint with solvent, you can produce a very thin wash of transparent color which dries fast. This is how I usually start my paintings.\n- Multi-colored brush strokes – If you leave various colors unmixed on your brush, you can create these beautiful multi-colored streaks.\n\nI do not use glazing all that much. I prefer to build up paint on the canvas by using scumbling, as it can produce an interesting broken color effect.\n\n![Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, Oil, 10x12 Inches, 2017](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Sunset-Study-Kingfisher-Bay-Oil-10x12-Inches-2017.jpg)\n\nDan Scott, Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, 2017\n## Oil Painting Process\nHere is my general approach for completing an oil painting:\n\nFirst, I stain the canvas with a thin wash of paint plus solvent. I generally use some kind of earth tone like raw umber or burnt sienna. This gets rid of any white on the canvas, which can be difficult to paint on top of.\n\nSecond, I do a rough sketch of the composition. I will use more detail for more complex subjects.\n\n![Part 1 - Prepare The Canvas And Sketch](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1.jpg)\n\nThird, I quickly block in the general shapes and colors, trying to establish the structure and color [harmony](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/harmony\/). I do not want to get caught up in the detail just yet.\n\n![Part 4 - Block In The Colors And Shapes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4.jpg)\n\nForth, I refine what is on the canvas until there are no more problems to solve.\n\nFifth, I sign the painting and go through my [post-painting processes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/finished-painting\/).\n\n![Overland Track, Yellow Landscape, Oil, 12x16 Inches, 2018](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/180619-Overland-Track-Yellow-Landscape-12x16-Inches-Oil-Updated-Iphone-Cloudy-Outside.jpg)\n\nHere are some tutorials which demonstrate my process:\n\n[Landscape Painting Tutorial – Painting The Overland Track Using Oils](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/landscape-painting-tutorial-overland-track\/)\n\n[Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners – Overcast Day In Bali](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/step-by-step-oil-painting-tutorial-bali\/)\n\n[Oil Painting Tutorial – New Zealand Reflections](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting-tutorial-new-zealand-reflections-12x16-inches\/)\n\n[Painting Tutorial – Secrets On The Lake On A Bright, Sunny Day In Oils](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-painting-tutorial-secrets-on-the-lake\/)\n\n[Painting Tutorial – Afternoon In Queenstown, New Zealand](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-tutorial-afternoon-in-queenstown-new-zealand\/)\n\n[Landscape Painting Tutorial – Mount Barney](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/landscape-painting-tutorial-mount-barney\/)\n\n## What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting\nHere is a summary of what I do after I have [finished an oil painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/finished-painting\/):\n\n- I leave it on the easel for a few days to see if I am truly happy with the result.\n- I wait for an overcast day to photograph the painting outside.\n- I leave the painting somewhere safe to dry (out of any direct sunlight and preferably away from dust).\n- I write a tutorial about the painting on Draw Paint Academy.\n- I post the painting on any relevant [social media platforms](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-websites-to-promote-your-art-online\/).\n\n![11 Things To Do With Your Finished Painting - Photographing Your Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG-2236.jpg)\n\nPhotographing Your Painting\n## Oil Painting Books\nAlla Prima II – Expanded Edition Everything I Know about Painting–And More\n\nFill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color\n\nLandscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice\n\nKen Howard a Personal View: Inspired by Light (Atelier Series)\n\nDaily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist\n\nThere are some more books included in my [oil painting reading list](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/top-10-painting-books-for-aspiring-artists\/).\n\n## Oil Painting Videos\nYou can see my oil painting videos [here](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/videos\/).\n\n![How I Painted Magenta Flowers (Oil Painting Tutorial)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/cache\/flying-press\/7e08d8ea97e012cb8b740a1891d92fc8.jpg)\n\nBelow are some other channels you might be interested in:\n\n[The Art Students League of New York](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/ArtStudentsLeagueNY\/featured)\n\n[Draw Mix Paint](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXgSi1Kwt7K2RUOapq2KHuQ)\n\n[DG Paints](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/dgoilpainting)\n\n[Sergey Gusev](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/GusevArtGallery)\n\n[Jeff Watts](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/wattsatelier)\n\n[Fine Art Academy](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCB9berO64_friwLRsKQ9fag)\n\n[Colour in Your Life](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/MazumaProductions1)\n\n[Kevin Hill](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/KevinOilPainting)\n\n## Famous Oil Painters\nHere are some famous oil painters you should explore:\n\n- [Vincent van Gogh](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/facts-about-vincent-van-gogh\/)\n- Frida Kahlo\n- [Claude Monet](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/water-lilies-by-claude-monet\/)\n- Rembrandt\n- [Joaquín Sorolla](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/11-beautiful-examples-of-how-to-paint-by-joaquin-sorolla\/)\n- [Berthe Morisot](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/berthe-morisot\/)\n- [John Singer Sargent](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/inspirational-art-quotes-john-singer-sargent\/)\n- James Abbott McNeill Whistler\n- Caravaggio\n- Lucian Freud\n\nYou can see beautiful close-ups of these paintings on [Wikiart](https:\/\/wikiart.org\/).\n\n![John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/John-Singer-Sargent-Rosina-Ferrara-Dancing-Tarantella-1878.jpg)\n\nJohn Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878\n## Famous Oil Paintings\nThere have been many famous oil paintings created, too many to even fathom. Here are just a handful of famous oil paintings from various eras:\n\n![Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Auguste-Renoir-Bal-du-moulin-de-la-Galette.jpg)\n\nAuguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette\n\n![Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol - Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Claude-Monet-Woman-With-A-Parasol-Madame-Monet-And-Her-Son-1875.jpg)\n\nClaude Monet, Woman With A Parasol – Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875\n\n![Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Vincent-van-Gogh-starry-Night.jpg)\n\nVincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889\n\n![Edvard Munch, The Scream](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Edvard-Munch-The-Scream.jpg)\n\nEdvard Munch, The Scream\n\n![Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Georges-Suerat-A-Sunday-Afternoon-On-The-Island-Of-La-Grande-Jatte.jpg)\n\nGeorges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte\n\n![James McNeill Whistler, Whistler's Mother](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/James-McNeill-Whistler-Whilsters-Mother.jpg)\n\nJames McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s Mother\n\n![Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Sandro-Botticelli-The-Birth-Of-Venus.jpg)\n\nSandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus\n\n![Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Mona-Lisa.jpg)\n\nLeonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa\n\n![Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Johannes-Vermeer-The-Milkmaid-Date-Unknown.jpg)\n\nJohannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660\n\n![Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Rembrandt-The-Anatomy-Lesson-of-Dr.-Nicolaes-Tulp-1632.jpg)\n\nRembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632\n## Oil Paint Clean-Up Time\nThe downside of oil painting is the cleanup time. No matter how hard I try, oil paint just seems to just get around. To clean up after your oil painting session, you can use soapy water but more preferably solvent or turpentine. As the paint is oil based, water is not effective.\n\nYou also need to make sure you take care of your brushes. Your brushes will not last long if you do not properly clean them after a session (and you do not intend to use them again in the near future). I usually just take the brushes and work them on a bar of soap and then rinse them through warm water. You can read more about cleaning your oil paint brushes [here](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/how-to-clean-oil-paint-brushes\/).\n\n![How To Clean Oil Paint Brushes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/How-To-Clean-Paint-Brushes.jpg)\n\n## Varnishing Your Oil Painting\nYou can varnish your oil painting to protect it from the environment. Over time, dust, debris, wind and other elements can damage an unvarnished painting.\n\nVarnish acts as a layer between the paint and the environment. But you need to ensure that the varnish you apply is removable*.* This allows for the painting to be restored at a later time if needed (colors tend to fade over time).\n\nThe process is fairly simple. You need to wait for the painting to dry completely. For paintings with thick paint, this could take up to 3 months.\n\nYou generally have the choice between gloss or matte varnish. This is mostly up to personal preference.\n\nThen, take your varnish and spread it evenly over your painting using a large [brush](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/artist-paint-brushes\/). Here is a demonstration of the process:\n\n![how to varnish an oil painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/cache\/flying-press\/ec6c91c208b72c4e3b7d228f129f46e4.jpg)\n\n## Oil Paint Safety\nOil paint and the relevant mediums are toxic, so you need to handle them with care. If you are sensitive to the chemicals, you might want to consider using gloves. And, of course, keep your paints out of reach of children.\n\nYou should also make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area.\n\n## Additional Readings\n[Oil Painting Tips For Beginners](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting-tips-beginners\/)\n\n[Acrylic versus Oil Painting – Which Medium Should You Start With?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/acrylic-versus-oil-painting\/)\n\n[7 Of The Best Oil Painting Demonstration Videos On Youtube](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/7-of-the-best-oil-painting-demonstration-videos-on-youtube\/)\n\n[9 Oil Painting Techniques For Beginners](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/)\n\n[How To Start An Oil Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/how-to-start-an-oil-painting\/)\n\n## Want to Learn More?\nYou might be interested in my [Painting Academy](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-academy\/) course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters.\n\n## Thanks for Reading\\!\nI appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends.\n\nHappy painting\\!\n\nDan Scott\n\n![](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Signature-DPA.png)\n\nDraw Paint Academy\n\n*[About](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/about\/) \\| [Supply List](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/supplies\/) \\| [Featured Posts](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/blog\/) \\| [Products](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/art-courses\/)*\n\n**Dan Scott** is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the [About page](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/about\/).\n***\nEnjoyed this post? Join **over 100,000 artists** who subscribe to the Draw Paint Academy newsletter.\n\n## 15 comments on “Oil Painting – The Ultimate Guide for Beginners”\n1. Tician\n   \n   [March 26, 2026 at 3:47 pm](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-77864)\n   \n   Warum nicht auf deutsch? schade, möchte davon lernen \\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-77864)\n2. Jon Spencer\n   \n   [February 13, 2024 at 7:10 pm](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-72085)\n   \n   I’m honestly surprised that this article doesn’t mention Bob Ross. His work might not be “classic” like the other artists, but he is a very famous painter.\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-72085)\n3. Teri Ehr\n   \n   [July 6, 2022 at 2:51 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-61569)\n   \n   I am about to start my first on-my-own oil painting and I’ve been stalling for a week – where to start? what technique to use? ….. I appreciated your 1-2-3-4 step explanation. This is what I do first, 2nd…. I’ve taken some classes and used different techniques, i.e. underpainting, glazes, background first, background last. Now on my own and I’m lost and confused. Thanks for your step by step guide\\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-61569)\n4. Beatriz\n   \n   [June 6, 2021 at 9:01 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-28487)\n   \n   Very good recommendations\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-28487)\n5. Madison\n   \n   [April 29, 2021 at 4:34 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-25938)\n   \n   This was incredibly helpful as someone totally unexperienced with oil painting! I would like to offer a quick correction though, “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli was painted with tempera, not oils\\!\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-25938)\n6. Ruthanne Miles\n   \n   [January 5, 2021 at 7:33 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-16812)\n   \n   Is there any alternative paint thinner that I can use until I get some?\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-16812)\n   - Dan Scott\n     \n     [January 6, 2021 at 10:50 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-16897)\n     \n     Hi Ruthanne\n     \n     If you are using oils, it is possible to paint without any thinner. Just use paint from the tube.\n     \n     Hope that helps\\!\n     \n     Dan\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-16897)\n7. Kim Felder\n   \n   [July 8, 2019 at 3:57 pm](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-8688)\n   \n   Thank you for this information – so helpful! I also read your detailed post on cleaning paint brushes. I’m worried about paint, linseed oil, and the Bob Ross brush cleaner\/conditioner going down the kitchen sink. That doesn’t feel like it is good for the environment, but I’m not sure. I’m pretty sure that putting solvent or turpentine down the sink would not be a good idea. Do you have information about how to be responsible and not cause harm when using solvents or the specialized brush cleaners?\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-8688)\n   - Dan Scott\n     \n     [July 9, 2019 at 1:01 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-8710)\n     \n     Hi Kim. You might want to contact your local council to see what the best option would be. One thought is to put all the excess solvent and turpentine into a bag and take that directly to your local tip. Kind regards, Dan\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-8710)\n     - Elli\n       \n       [September 17, 2019 at 5:21 pm](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-10041)\n       \n       Turpentine, along with other solvents, should NOT be washed down the sink as it is bad for the environment. Please see website below or you can download the MSDS for more information.\n       \n       <https:\/\/www.koh-i-noor.cz\/media\/files\/content\/turpentine-oil-100ml.pdf>\n       \n       [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-10041)\n       - Dan Scott\n         \n         [September 18, 2019 at 2:44 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-10046)\n         \n         Thanks for adding that Elli\\!\n         \n         Dan\n         \n         [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-10046)\n8. Dorothy\n   \n   [April 19, 2019 at 5:04 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-6509)\n   \n   Thank you!! I am about to start oil painting and was nervous about it. You have eased my mind and the detailed explanation about the techniques and the process are perfect.\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-6509)\n   - Dan Scott\n     \n     [April 20, 2019 at 3:21 am](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-6564)\n     \n     Happy to have helped Dorothy! Good luck. Dan\n     \n     [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-6564)\n9. Sati shiva\n   \n   [October 22, 2018 at 3:33 pm](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-3479)\n   \n   This was A to Z information about oil paintings thanks for sharing very useful\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-3479)\n10. Sati shiva\n    \n    [October 22, 2018 at 3:19 pm](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-3478)\n    \n    Amazing guidance you are so selfless generous to share\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#comment-3478)\n### Leave a Comment [Cancel reply](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#respond)\n#### Related Posts\n[![Erin Hanson, Aspen Forest, 2020](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Erin-Hanson-Aspen-Forest-2020.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/erin-hanson\/)\n\n### [Interview With “Open Impressionism” Artist Erin Hanson](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/erin-hanson\/)\nMarch 8, 2021\n\n[![George Elbert Burr, The Rhone From the Path to Salvari - Switzerland, 1898](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/George-Elbert-Burr-The-Rhone-From-the-Path-to-Salvari-Switzerland-1898-700x430.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/george-elbert-burrs-watercolors\/)\n\n### [George Elbert Burr’s Watercolors](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/george-elbert-burrs-watercolors\/)\nMay 29, 2025\n\n[![Jasper Francis Cropsey, Untitled Sunset, 1876](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jasper-Francis-Cropsey-Untitled-Sunset-1876-Full-700x369.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/jasper-cropseys-sunset-painting\/)\n\n### [Jasper Cropsey’s Sunset Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/jasper-cropseys-sunset-painting\/)\nOctober 7, 2025\n\n[![Dan Scott, Montville, Lush Greens, Rainy Day, 2023](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dan-Scott-Montville-Lush-Greens-Rainy-Day-2023-1200W-700x524.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/lush-greens-pink-flowers\/)\n\n### [Painting a Complex Landscape With Lush Greens and Pink Flowers](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/lush-greens-pink-flowers\/)\nDecember 27, 2023\n\n[![Isaac Levitan, Trail in Deciduous Forest, Ferns, 1895 1200w](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Isaac-Levitan-Trail-in-Deciduous-Forest-Ferns-1895-1200w-1-700x494.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/trail-in-deciduous-forest\/)\n\n### [Isaac Levitan’s Trail in Deciduous Forest](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/trail-in-deciduous-forest\/)\nApril 15, 2024\n\n[![Frits Thaulow, Water Mill, 1892](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frits-Thaulow-Water-Mill-1892-700x474.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/frits-thaulows-water-paintings\/)\n\n### [Exploring Frits Thaulow’s Water Paintings](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/frits-thaulows-water-paintings\/)\nNovember 12, 2024\n\n[![Dan Scott Paintings](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Paintings-4.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-academy\/)\n\n### [Painting Academy: The Fundamentals](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-academy\/ \"Painting Academy: The Fundamentals\")\nI'll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. If you're a beginner to intermediate painter, start here.\n\n[Learn More](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-academy\/)\n\n[Articles](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/blog\/) \\| [Supply List](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/supplies\/) \\| [Categories](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/categories\/) \\| [Free Resources](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/) \\| [Products](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/art-courses\/) \\| [Gallery](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/gallery\/) \\| [About](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/about\/)\n\n© 2022 Draw Paint Academy Pty Ltd \\| [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n\nNotifications","attrs_readable_markdown":"Oil paints are one of the most popular artistic mediums, and for good reason. They are versatile, archival, and economical. But it can be a struggle to pick up. There are some “rules” you need to be aware of and the techniques can take some time to become familiar with.\n\nThis guide covers most of the fundamental areas of oil painting to get you started.\n\n- [Why Oil Painting?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#why-oil-painting)\n- [What Is Oil Paint?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#what-is-oil-paint)\n- [Oil Painting Supplies](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-supplies)\n- [Oil Painting Color Palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-color-palette)\n- [Surfaces to Paint On](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#surfaces-to-paint-on)\n- [Oil Painting “Rules”](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-rules)\n- [Oil Painting Techniques](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-techniques)\n- [Oil Painting Process](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-process)\n- [What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#what-to-do-after-you-have-finished-your-oil-painting)\n- [Oil Painting Books](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-books)\n- [Oil Painting Videos](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-painting-videos)\n- [Famous Oil Painters](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#famous-oil-painters)\n- [Famous Oil Paintings](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#famous-oil-paintings)\n- [Oil Paint Clean-Up Time](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-paint-cleanup-time)\n- [Varnishing Your Oil Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#varnishing-your-oil-painting)\n- [Oil Paint Safety](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#oil-paint-safety)\n- [Additional Readings](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#additional-readings)\n- [Want to Learn More?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#want-to-learn-more)\n- [Thanks for Reading\\!](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting\/#thanks-for-reading)\n\n![Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Claude-Monet-Fishing-Boats-At-Sea-1868.jpg)\n\nClaude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868\n\n[Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/painting-the-landscape\/ \"Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)\")\n\nI’ll walk you through the entire process using one of my recent paintings. You’ll see how I go from idea all the way through to reflecting on the finished painting.\n\n[![Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Dan-Scott-Fraser-Island-Analogous-Colors-2024-700W.jpg)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-art-tools\/painting-the-landscape\/ \"Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)\")\n\nWhy would you use oil paints over some of the other alternatives like acrylics or watercolors? Here are some reasons:\n\n- They are versatile. You can vary the [drying time](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/) and consistency of your paint dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, glazing and [scumbling](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/).\n- They were favored by the all-time greats of painting. It is hard to argue the downside of using oil paints when so many amazing artists used them to such success.\n- Oil paintings seem to be held in higher regard by art collectors compared to acrylic paintings (there are some exceptions to this of course).\n\nYou really cannot go wrong with oil paints. If you are just starting out with painting, I suggest you jump straight into oil painting unless you really want to practice acrylics or watercolors.\n\nIf you think oil painting is too complex for you, then I urge you to reconsider. There are really only a few “rules” which you need to understand in oil painting (discussed later in this post) and the rest is pretty straightforward.\n\n## What Is Oil Paint?\nOil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a [drying oil](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-paint-drying-time\/), usually [linseed oil](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B004BNHDEI?tag=drawpaintacademy-20). The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the pigment is and the medium which is used.\n\nYou can make oil paint more fluid by mixing it with more oil, or by adding a [solvent](https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00IIWQFO2?tag=drawpaintacademy-20), however, this also weakens the paint. **Oil paint is generally at its most stable form straight from the tube.**\n\n## Oil Painting Supplies\nHere is a basic set of oil painting [supplies and equipment](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/supplies\/):\n\n- A range of small to large paintbrushes designed for oil painting. Hog hair and decent synthetic brushes are great for oil painting. You should read my guide here on [artist paint brushes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/artist-paint-brushes\/) for more information.\n- An easel.\n- [A palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/artist-palettes\/).\n- A basic palette of paints (discussed below).\n- A surface to paint on (discussed below).\n- Odorless solvent.\n- Linseed oil.\n- Paper towel (for wiping your brushes).\n\nI provide some more detail on the oil painting supplies [in this post](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting-supply-list\/).\n\n## Oil Painting Color Palette\nWith your color palette, I suggest you use as few colors as possible. This will force you to learn how to mix your colors. At a minimum, you should have a red, blue, yellow, and white.\n\nHere is my current color palette:\n\n- Ultramarine blue\n- Cobalt blue\n- Cadmium yellow\n- Cadmium yellow light\n- Yellow ochre\n- Cadmium orange\n- Cadmium red\n- Alizarin crimson\n- Raw umber or burnt sienna\n- Titanium white\n\nYou should also check out this post I wrote about the [Zorn palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/zorn-palette\/).\n\nIn relation to the different brands of oil paint, I have had no issues with any of the top brands (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Michael Harding, etc). Just make sure you purchase “artist quality” over “student quality” if possible. There is a notable difference.\n\n![Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners - Color Palette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_3066.jpg)\n\n## Surfaces to Paint On\nCanvas became the most popular surface to paint on around the 15th\/16th century. Prior to that, wooden panels were used. There are two options with canvas:\n\n**Stretched canvas panels**: Canvas stretched over a frame. These are what you will probably be doing most of your oil painting on.\n\n**Canvas boards**: A cheap and sturdy alternative to stretched canvas panels. Canvas boards are usually just canvas attached to a sturdy surface like cardboard. I use these for study works and demonstrations.\n\nYou can also paint on other surfaces, such as wooden boards, but you need to make sure that the surface you paint on has been primed with gesso.\n\n## Oil Painting “Rules”\nIn oil painting, there are some “rules” which you should follow to avoid your paint cracking.\n\n[**Fat over lean**](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/fat-over-lean\/): As noted earlier, oil paint is basically colored pigment that is held together by some kind of drying oil. The more oil present, the “fatter” the paint is and the slower it will dry. In general, you want to make sure the top layers of paint are fatter (or oiler) than the lower layers. Otherwise, the layers on top will dry faster than the layers below and the paint will crack.\n\n**Thick over thin**: The reasoning behind this rule is the same as the above rule. You want to make sure the paint at the top dries slower than the paint at the bottom. Thick paint will *usually* dry slower than thin paint.\n\nIn practice, I will start a painting with thin paint which has been mixed with some odorless solvent. Then I start using paint straight from the tube and take advantage of the paint texture.\n\n> ***Tip:** Visible brushwork is a fantastic element of painting, but it is often overlooked by beginners. Below is a close-up of one of my paintings which demonstrates visible brushwork. This kind of visible brushwork is only possible when you use a brush loaded with thick paint.*\n\n![Overall Track Painting Tutorial - Close Up 4](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Close-Up.jpg)\n\nThese rules are only really applicable to the traditional painting approach where you would paint layer on layer using [glazes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/glaze\/). If you paint [alla prima](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/alla-prima-painting-tips\/) then you do not need to worry as much about these rules. However, it is still important to understand them.\n\nIf you want to make sure you never have an issue with the fat over lean rule, then just use paint straight from the tube. This way most of the paint will have a similar drying time and the paint on top should not dry any faster than the paint at the bottom. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as the drying time of paint is influenced by many factors. But you should not have any issues in practice.\n\n## Oil Painting Techniques\nI discuss the different oil painting techniques [in this post](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/). Here are the techniques which I use most frequently:\n\n- Scumbling – This is a dry-brush technique that involves gently dragging your brush over the canvas to produce a broken color effect.\n- Thin washes with solvent – By mixing oil paint with solvent, you can produce a very thin wash of transparent color which dries fast. This is how I usually start my paintings.\n- Multi-colored brush strokes – If you leave various colors unmixed on your brush, you can create these beautiful multi-colored streaks.\n\nI do not use glazing all that much. I prefer to build up paint on the canvas by using scumbling, as it can produce an interesting broken color effect.\n\n![Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, Oil, 10x12 Inches, 2017](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Sunset-Study-Kingfisher-Bay-Oil-10x12-Inches-2017.jpg)\n\nDan Scott, Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, 2017\n## Oil Painting Process\nHere is my general approach for completing an oil painting:\n\nFirst, I stain the canvas with a thin wash of paint plus solvent. I generally use some kind of earth tone like raw umber or burnt sienna. This gets rid of any white on the canvas, which can be difficult to paint on top of.\n\nSecond, I do a rough sketch of the composition. I will use more detail for more complex subjects.\n\n![Part 1 - Prepare The Canvas And Sketch](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1.jpg)\n\nThird, I quickly block in the general shapes and colors, trying to establish the structure and color [harmony](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/harmony\/). I do not want to get caught up in the detail just yet.\n\n![Part 4 - Block In The Colors And Shapes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4.jpg)\n\nForth, I refine what is on the canvas until there are no more problems to solve.\n\nFifth, I sign the painting and go through my [post-painting processes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/finished-painting\/).\n\n![Overland Track, Yellow Landscape, Oil, 12x16 Inches, 2018](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/180619-Overland-Track-Yellow-Landscape-12x16-Inches-Oil-Updated-Iphone-Cloudy-Outside.jpg)\n\nHere are some tutorials which demonstrate my process:\n\n[Landscape Painting Tutorial – Painting The Overland Track Using Oils](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/landscape-painting-tutorial-overland-track\/)\n\n[Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners – Overcast Day In Bali](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/step-by-step-oil-painting-tutorial-bali\/)\n\n[Oil Painting Tutorial – New Zealand Reflections](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting-tutorial-new-zealand-reflections-12x16-inches\/)\n\n[Painting Tutorial – Secrets On The Lake On A Bright, Sunny Day In Oils](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-painting-tutorial-secrets-on-the-lake\/)\n\n[Painting Tutorial – Afternoon In Queenstown, New Zealand](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-tutorial-afternoon-in-queenstown-new-zealand\/)\n\n[Landscape Painting Tutorial – Mount Barney](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/landscape-painting-tutorial-mount-barney\/)\n\n## What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting\nHere is a summary of what I do after I have [finished an oil painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/finished-painting\/):\n\n- I leave it on the easel for a few days to see if I am truly happy with the result.\n- I wait for an overcast day to photograph the painting outside.\n- I leave the painting somewhere safe to dry (out of any direct sunlight and preferably away from dust).\n- I write a tutorial about the painting on Draw Paint Academy.\n- I post the painting on any relevant [social media platforms](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/free-websites-to-promote-your-art-online\/).\n\n![11 Things To Do With Your Finished Painting - Photographing Your Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG-2236.jpg)\n\nPhotographing Your Painting\n## Oil Painting Books\nAlla Prima II – Expanded Edition Everything I Know about Painting–And More\n\nFill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color\n\nLandscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice\n\nKen Howard a Personal View: Inspired by Light (Atelier Series)\n\nDaily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist\n\nThere are some more books included in my [oil painting reading list](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/top-10-painting-books-for-aspiring-artists\/).\n\n## Oil Painting Videos\nYou can see my oil painting videos [here](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/videos\/).\n\n![How I Painted Magenta Flowers (Oil Painting Tutorial)](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/cache\/flying-press\/7e08d8ea97e012cb8b740a1891d92fc8.jpg)\n\nBelow are some other channels you might be interested in:\n\n[The Art Students League of New York](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/ArtStudentsLeagueNY\/featured)\n\n[Draw Mix Paint](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXgSi1Kwt7K2RUOapq2KHuQ)\n\n[DG Paints](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/dgoilpainting)\n\n[Sergey Gusev](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/GusevArtGallery)\n\n[Jeff Watts](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/wattsatelier)\n\n[Fine Art Academy](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCB9berO64_friwLRsKQ9fag)\n\n[Colour in Your Life](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/MazumaProductions1)\n\n[Kevin Hill](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/KevinOilPainting)\n\n## Famous Oil Painters\nHere are some famous oil painters you should explore:\n\n- [Vincent van Gogh](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/facts-about-vincent-van-gogh\/)\n- Frida Kahlo\n- [Claude Monet](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/water-lilies-by-claude-monet\/)\n- Rembrandt\n- [Joaquín Sorolla](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/11-beautiful-examples-of-how-to-paint-by-joaquin-sorolla\/)\n- [Berthe Morisot](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/berthe-morisot\/)\n- [John Singer Sargent](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/inspirational-art-quotes-john-singer-sargent\/)\n- James Abbott McNeill Whistler\n- Caravaggio\n- Lucian Freud\n\nYou can see beautiful close-ups of these paintings on [Wikiart](https:\/\/wikiart.org\/).\n\n![John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/John-Singer-Sargent-Rosina-Ferrara-Dancing-Tarantella-1878.jpg)\n\nJohn Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878\n## Famous Oil Paintings\nThere have been many famous oil paintings created, too many to even fathom. Here are just a handful of famous oil paintings from various eras:\n\n![Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Auguste-Renoir-Bal-du-moulin-de-la-Galette.jpg)\n\nAuguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette\n\n![Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol - Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Claude-Monet-Woman-With-A-Parasol-Madame-Monet-And-Her-Son-1875.jpg)\n\nClaude Monet, Woman With A Parasol – Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875\n\n![Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Vincent-van-Gogh-starry-Night.jpg)\n\nVincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889\n\n![Edvard Munch, The Scream](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Edvard-Munch-The-Scream.jpg)\n\nEdvard Munch, The Scream\n\n![Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Georges-Suerat-A-Sunday-Afternoon-On-The-Island-Of-La-Grande-Jatte.jpg)\n\nGeorges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte\n\n![James McNeill Whistler, Whistler's Mother](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/James-McNeill-Whistler-Whilsters-Mother.jpg)\n\nJames McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s Mother\n\n![Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Sandro-Botticelli-The-Birth-Of-Venus.jpg)\n\nSandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus\n\n![Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Mona-Lisa.jpg)\n\nLeonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa\n\n![Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Johannes-Vermeer-The-Milkmaid-Date-Unknown.jpg)\n\nJohannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660\n\n![Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Rembrandt-The-Anatomy-Lesson-of-Dr.-Nicolaes-Tulp-1632.jpg)\n\nRembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632\n## Oil Paint Clean-Up Time\nThe downside of oil painting is the cleanup time. No matter how hard I try, oil paint just seems to just get around. To clean up after your oil painting session, you can use soapy water but more preferably solvent or turpentine. As the paint is oil based, water is not effective.\n\nYou also need to make sure you take care of your brushes. Your brushes will not last long if you do not properly clean them after a session (and you do not intend to use them again in the near future). I usually just take the brushes and work them on a bar of soap and then rinse them through warm water. You can read more about cleaning your oil paint brushes [here](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/how-to-clean-oil-paint-brushes\/).\n\n![How To Clean Oil Paint Brushes](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/How-To-Clean-Paint-Brushes.jpg)\n\n## Varnishing Your Oil Painting\nYou can varnish your oil painting to protect it from the environment. Over time, dust, debris, wind and other elements can damage an unvarnished painting.\n\nVarnish acts as a layer between the paint and the environment. But you need to ensure that the varnish you apply is removable*.* This allows for the painting to be restored at a later time if needed (colors tend to fade over time).\n\nThe process is fairly simple. You need to wait for the painting to dry completely. For paintings with thick paint, this could take up to 3 months.\n\nYou generally have the choice between gloss or matte varnish. This is mostly up to personal preference.\n\nThen, take your varnish and spread it evenly over your painting using a large [brush](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/artist-paint-brushes\/). Here is a demonstration of the process:\n\n![how to varnish an oil painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/cache\/flying-press\/ec6c91c208b72c4e3b7d228f129f46e4.jpg)\n\n## Oil Paint Safety\nOil paint and the relevant mediums are toxic, so you need to handle them with care. If you are sensitive to the chemicals, you might want to consider using gloves. And, of course, keep your paints out of reach of children.\n\nYou should also make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area.\n\n## Additional Readings\n[Oil Painting Tips For Beginners](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/oil-painting-tips-beginners\/)\n\n[Acrylic versus Oil Painting – Which Medium Should You Start With?](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/acrylic-versus-oil-painting\/)\n\n[7 Of The Best Oil Painting Demonstration Videos On Youtube](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/7-of-the-best-oil-painting-demonstration-videos-on-youtube\/)\n\n[9 Oil Painting Techniques For Beginners](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners\/)\n\n[How To Start An Oil Painting](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/how-to-start-an-oil-painting\/)\n\n## Want to Learn More?\nYou might be interested in my [Painting Academy](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/painting-academy\/) course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters.\n\n## Thanks for Reading\\!\nI appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends.\n\nHappy painting\\!\n\nDan Scott\n\n![](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Signature-DPA.png)\n\nDraw Paint Academy\n\n*[About](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/about\/) \\| [Supply List](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/supplies\/) \\| [Featured Posts](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/blog\/) \\| [Products](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/art-courses\/)*\n\n**Dan Scott** is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the [About page](https:\/\/drawpaintacademy.com\/about\/).\n\nEnjoyed this post? Join **over 100,000 artists** who subscribe to the Draw Paint Academy newsletter.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Oil paints are one of the most popular artistic mediums, and for good reason. They are versatile, archival, and economical. But it can be a struggle to pick up. There are some “rules” you need to be aware of and the techniques can take some time to become familiar with. This guide covers most of the fundamental areas of oil painting to get you started. Why Oil Painting? What Is Oil Paint? Oil Painting Supplies Oil Painting Color Palette Surfaces to Paint On Oil Painting “Rules” Oil Painting Techniques Oil Painting Process What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting Oil Painting Books Oil Painting Videos Famous Oil Painters Famous Oil Paintings Oil Paint Clean-Up Time Varnishing Your Oil Painting Oil Paint Safety Additional Readings Want to Learn More? Thanks for Reading! Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868 Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop) I’ll walk you through the entire process using one of my recent paintings. You’ll see how I go from idea all the way through to reflecting on the finished painting. Why would you use oil paints over some of the other alternatives like acrylics or watercolors? Here are some reasons: They are versatile. You can vary the drying time and consistency of your paint dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, glazing and scumbling . They were favored by the all-time greats of painting. It is hard to argue the downside of using oil paints when so many amazing artists used them to such success. Oil paintings seem to be held in higher regard by art collectors compared to acrylic paintings (there are some exceptions to this of course). You really cannot go wrong with oil paints. If you are just starting out with painting, I suggest you jump straight into oil painting unless you really want to practice acrylics or watercolors. If you think oil painting is too complex for you, then I urge you to reconsider. There are really only a few “rules” which you need to understand in oil painting (discussed later in this post) and the rest is pretty straightforward. What Is Oil Paint? Oil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a drying oil , usually linseed oil . The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the pigment is and the medium which is used. You can make oil paint more fluid by mixing it with more oil, or by adding a solvent , however, this also weakens the paint. Oil paint is generally at its most stable form straight from the tube. Oil Painting Supplies Here is a basic set of oil painting supplies and equipment : A range of small to large paintbrushes designed for oil painting. Hog hair and decent synthetic brushes are great for oil painting. You should read my guide here on artist paint brushes for more information. An easel. A palette . A basic palette of paints (discussed below). A surface to paint on (discussed below). Odorless solvent. Linseed oil. Paper towel (for wiping your brushes). I provide some more detail on the oil painting supplies in this post . Oil Painting Color Palette With your color palette, I suggest you use as few colors as possible. This will force you to learn how to mix your colors. At a minimum, you should have a red, blue, yellow, and white. Here is my current color palette: Ultramarine blue Cobalt blue Cadmium yellow Cadmium yellow light Yellow ochre Cadmium orange Cadmium red Alizarin crimson Raw umber or burnt sienna Titanium white You should also check out this post I wrote about the Zorn palette . In relation to the different brands of oil paint, I have had no issues with any of the top brands (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Michael Harding, etc). Just make sure you purchase “artist quality” over “student quality” if possible. There is a notable difference. Surfaces to Paint On Canvas became the most popular surface to paint on around the 15th/16th century. Prior to that, wooden panels were used. There are two options with canvas: Stretched canvas panels : Canvas stretched over a frame. These are what you will probably be doing most of your oil painting on. Canvas boards : A cheap and sturdy alternative to stretched canvas panels. Canvas boards are usually just canvas attached to a sturdy surface like cardboard. I use these for study works and demonstrations. You can also paint on other surfaces, such as wooden boards, but you need to make sure that the surface you paint on has been primed with gesso. Oil Painting “Rules” In oil painting, there are some “rules” which you should follow to avoid your paint cracking. Fat over lean : As noted earlier, oil paint is basically colored pigment that is held together by some kind of drying oil. The more oil present, the “fatter” the paint is and the slower it will dry. In general, you want to make sure the top layers of paint are fatter (or oiler) than the lower layers. Otherwise, the layers on top will dry faster than the layers below and the paint will crack. Thick over thin : The reasoning behind this rule is the same as the above rule. You want to make sure the paint at the top dries slower than the paint at the bottom. Thick paint will usually dry slower than thin paint. In practice, I will start a painting with thin paint which has been mixed with some odorless solvent. Then I start using paint straight from the tube and take advantage of the paint texture. Tip: Visible brushwork is a fantastic element of painting, but it is often overlooked by beginners. Below is a close-up of one of my paintings which demonstrates visible brushwork. This kind of visible brushwork is only possible when you use a brush loaded with thick paint. These rules are only really applicable to the traditional painting approach where you would paint layer on layer using glazes . If you paint alla prima then you do not need to worry as much about these rules. However, it is still important to understand them. If you want to make sure you never have an issue with the fat over lean rule, then just use paint straight from the tube. This way most of the paint will have a similar drying time and the paint on top should not dry any faster than the paint at the bottom. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as the drying time of paint is influenced by many factors. But you should not have any issues in practice. Oil Painting Techniques I discuss the different oil painting techniques in this post . Here are the techniques which I use most frequently: Scumbling – This is a dry-brush technique that involves gently dragging your brush over the canvas to produce a broken color effect. Thin washes with solvent – By mixing oil paint with solvent, you can produce a very thin wash of transparent color which dries fast. This is how I usually start my paintings. Multi-colored brush strokes – If you leave various colors unmixed on your brush, you can create these beautiful multi-colored streaks. I do not use glazing all that much. I prefer to build up paint on the canvas by using scumbling, as it can produce an interesting broken color effect. Dan Scott, Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, 2017 Oil Painting Process Here is my general approach for completing an oil painting: First, I stain the canvas with a thin wash of paint plus solvent. I generally use some kind of earth tone like raw umber or burnt sienna. This gets rid of any white on the canvas, which can be difficult to paint on top of. Second, I do a rough sketch of the composition. I will use more detail for more complex subjects. Third, I quickly block in the general shapes and colors, trying to establish the structure and color harmony . I do not want to get caught up in the detail just yet. Forth, I refine what is on the canvas until there are no more problems to solve. Fifth, I sign the painting and go through my post-painting processes . Here are some tutorials which demonstrate my process: Landscape Painting Tutorial – Painting The Overland Track Using Oils Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners – Overcast Day In Bali Oil Painting Tutorial – New Zealand Reflections Painting Tutorial – Secrets On The Lake On A Bright, Sunny Day In Oils Painting Tutorial – Afternoon In Queenstown, New Zealand Landscape Painting Tutorial – Mount Barney What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting Here is a summary of what I do after I have finished an oil painting : I leave it on the easel for a few days to see if I am truly happy with the result. I wait for an overcast day to photograph the painting outside. I leave the painting somewhere safe to dry (out of any direct sunlight and preferably away from dust). I write a tutorial about the painting on Draw Paint Academy. I post the painting on any relevant social media platforms . Photographing Your Painting Oil Painting Books Alla Prima II – Expanded Edition Everything I Know about Painting–And More Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice Ken Howard a Personal View: Inspired by Light (Atelier Series) Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist There are some more books included in my oil painting reading list . Oil Painting Videos You can see my oil painting videos here . Below are some other channels you might be interested in: The Art Students League of New York Draw Mix Paint DG Paints Sergey Gusev Jeff Watts Fine Art Academy Colour in Your Life Kevin Hill Famous Oil Painters Here are some famous oil painters you should explore: Vincent van Gogh Frida Kahlo Claude Monet Rembrandt Joaquín Sorolla Berthe Morisot John Singer Sargent James Abbott McNeill Whistler Caravaggio Lucian Freud You can see beautiful close-ups of these paintings on Wikiart . John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878 Famous Oil Paintings There have been many famous oil paintings created, too many to even fathom. Here are just a handful of famous oil paintings from various eras: Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol – Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875 Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889 Edvard Munch, The Scream Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte James McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s Mother Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660 Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632 Oil Paint Clean-Up Time The downside of oil painting is the cleanup time. No matter how hard I try, oil paint just seems to just get around. To clean up after your oil painting session, you can use soapy water but more preferably solvent or turpentine. As the paint is oil based, water is not effective. You also need to make sure you take care of your brushes. Your brushes will not last long if you do not properly clean them after a session (and you do not intend to use them again in the near future). I usually just take the brushes and work them on a bar of soap and then rinse them through warm water. You can read more about cleaning your oil paint brushes here . Varnishing Your Oil Painting You can varnish your oil painting to protect it from the environment. Over time, dust, debris, wind and other elements can damage an unvarnished painting. Varnish acts as a layer between the paint and the environment. But you need to ensure that the varnish you apply is removable . This allows for the painting to be restored at a later time if needed (colors tend to fade over time). The process is fairly simple. You need to wait for the painting to dry completely. For paintings with thick paint, this could take up to 3 months. You generally have the choice between gloss or matte varnish. This is mostly up to personal preference. Then, take your varnish and spread it evenly over your painting using a large brush . Here is a demonstration of the process: Oil Paint Safety Oil paint and the relevant mediums are toxic, so you need to handle them with care. If you are sensitive to the chemicals, you might want to consider using gloves. And, of course, keep your paints out of reach of children. You should also make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area. Additional Readings Oil Painting Tips For Beginners Acrylic versus Oil Painting – Which Medium Should You Start With? 7 Of The Best Oil Painting Demonstration Videos On Youtube 9 Oil Painting Techniques For Beginners How To Start An Oil Painting Want to Learn More? You might be interested in my Painting Academy course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters. Thanks for Reading! I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends. Happy painting! Dan Scott Draw Paint Academy About \| Supply List \| Featured Posts \| Products Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the About page . Enjoyed this post? Join over 100,000 artists who subscribe to the Draw Paint Academy newsletter.
Markdown	![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1494244594211294&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2618085889290&pd[em]=dan@drawpaintacademy.com&noscript=1) [Skip to content](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#content "Skip to content") [![Draw Paint Academy](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-Draw-Paint-Academy2-1.png)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/) Menu Menu - [Start Here](https://drawpaintacademy.com/start-here/) - [Articles](https://drawpaintacademy.com/blog/) - [Videos](https://drawpaintacademy.com/videos/) - [Supply List](https://drawpaintacademy.com/supplies/) - [Gallery](https://drawpaintacademy.com/gallery/dan-scott-paintings/) - [Products](https://drawpaintacademy.com/art-courses/) - [Free Tools](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-art-tools/) - [Newsletter](https://drawpaintacademy.com/newsletter/) - [Members](https://drawpaintacademy.com/member-access/) - [About](https://drawpaintacademy.com/about/) # Oil Painting – The Ultimate Guide for Beginners December 9, 2023 June 28, 2018 by [Dan Scott](https://drawpaintacademy.com/author/dscottbusiness1gmail-com/ "View all posts by Dan Scott") [15 Comments](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comments) June 28, 2018 [15](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comments) Share - [Copy link](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/) - [Email](mailto:?subject=Oil%20Painting%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners&body=Oil%20Painting%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%0A%0AOil%20paints%20are%20one%20of%20the%20most%20popular%20artistic%20mediums%2C%20and%20for%20good%20reason.%20They%20are%20versatile%2C%20archival%2C%20and%20economical.%20But%20it%20can%20be%20a%20struggle%20to%20pick%20up.%20There%20are%20some%20%E2%80%9Crules%E2%80%9D%20you%20need%20to%20be%20aware%20of%20and%20the%20techniques%20can%20take%20some%20time%20to%20become%C2%A0familiar%20with.%20This%20guide%20covers%20most%20of%20the%20...%20Read%20more%0A%0ARead%20more%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fdrawpaintacademy.com%2Foil-painting%2F) - [Share to Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/&media=https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Claude-Monet-Seacoast-At-Saint-Adresse-Sunset-1864.jpg&description=Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%20-%20Oil%20paints%20are%20one%20of%20the%20most%20popular%20artistic%20mediums%2C%20and%20for%20good%20reason.%20They%20are%20versatile%2C%20archival%2C%20and%20economical.%20But%20it%20can%20be%20a%20struggle%20to%20pick%20up.%20There%20are%20some%20%26%238220%3Brules%26%238221%3B%20you%20need%20to%20be%20aware%20of%20and%20the%20techniques%20can%20take%20some%20time%20to%20become%26nbsp%3Bfamiliar%20with.%20This%20guide%20covers%20most%20of%20the%20...%20%3Ca%20title%3D%22Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%22%20class%3D%22read-more%22%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fdrawpaintacademy.com%2Foil-painting%2F%22%20aria-label%3D%22Read%20more%20about%20Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners%22%3ERead%20more%3C%2Fa%3E) - [Share to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/) - [![X](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/x-twitter.png) Share to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/&text=Oil%20Painting%20%26%238211%3B%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20for%20Beginners) Oil paints are one of the most popular artistic mediums, and for good reason. They are versatile, archival, and economical. But it can be a struggle to pick up. There are some “rules” you need to be aware of and the techniques can take some time to become familiar with. This guide covers most of the fundamental areas of oil painting to get you started. - [Why Oil Painting?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#why-oil-painting) - [What Is Oil Paint?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#what-is-oil-paint) - [Oil Painting Supplies](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-supplies) - [Oil Painting Color Palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-color-palette) - [Surfaces to Paint On](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#surfaces-to-paint-on) - [Oil Painting “Rules”](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-rules) - [Oil Painting Techniques](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-techniques) - [Oil Painting Process](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-process) - [What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#what-to-do-after-you-have-finished-your-oil-painting) - [Oil Painting Books](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-books) - [Oil Painting Videos](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-videos) - [Famous Oil Painters](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#famous-oil-painters) - [Famous Oil Paintings](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#famous-oil-paintings) - [Oil Paint Clean-Up Time](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-paint-cleanup-time) - [Varnishing Your Oil Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#varnishing-your-oil-painting) - [Oil Paint Safety](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-paint-safety) - [Additional Readings](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#additional-readings) - [Want to Learn More?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#want-to-learn-more) - [Thanks for Reading\!](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#thanks-for-reading) ![Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Claude-Monet-Fishing-Boats-At-Sea-1868.jpg) Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868 [Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-art-tools/painting-the-landscape/ "Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)") I’ll walk you through the entire process using one of my recent paintings. You’ll see how I go from idea all the way through to reflecting on the finished painting. [![Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dan-Scott-Fraser-Island-Analogous-Colors-2024-700W.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-art-tools/painting-the-landscape/ "Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)") [Join for Free](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-art-tools/painting-the-landscape/ "Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)") ## Why Oil Painting? Why would you use oil paints over some of the other alternatives like acrylics or watercolors? Here are some reasons: - They are versatile. You can vary the [drying time](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/) and consistency of your paint dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, glazing and [scumbling](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/). - They were favored by the all-time greats of painting. It is hard to argue the downside of using oil paints when so many amazing artists used them to such success. - Oil paintings seem to be held in higher regard by art collectors compared to acrylic paintings (there are some exceptions to this of course). You really cannot go wrong with oil paints. If you are just starting out with painting, I suggest you jump straight into oil painting unless you really want to practice acrylics or watercolors. If you think oil painting is too complex for you, then I urge you to reconsider. There are really only a few “rules” which you need to understand in oil painting (discussed later in this post) and the rest is pretty straightforward. ## What Is Oil Paint? Oil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a [drying oil](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-paint-drying-time/), usually [linseed oil](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BNHDEI?tag=drawpaintacademy-20). The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the pigment is and the medium which is used. You can make oil paint more fluid by mixing it with more oil, or by adding a [solvent](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IIWQFO2?tag=drawpaintacademy-20), however, this also weakens the paint. Oil paint is generally at its most stable form straight from the tube. ## Oil Painting Supplies Here is a basic set of oil painting [supplies and equipment](https://drawpaintacademy.com/supplies/): - A range of small to large paintbrushes designed for oil painting. Hog hair and decent synthetic brushes are great for oil painting. You should read my guide here on [artist paint brushes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-paint-brushes/) for more information. - An easel. - [A palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-palettes/). - A basic palette of paints (discussed below). - A surface to paint on (discussed below). - Odorless solvent. - Linseed oil. - Paper towel (for wiping your brushes). I provide some more detail on the oil painting supplies [in this post](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting-supply-list/). ## Oil Painting Color Palette With your color palette, I suggest you use as few colors as possible. This will force you to learn how to mix your colors. At a minimum, you should have a red, blue, yellow, and white. Here is my current color palette: - Ultramarine blue - Cobalt blue - Cadmium yellow - Cadmium yellow light - Yellow ochre - Cadmium orange - Cadmium red - Alizarin crimson - Raw umber or burnt sienna - Titanium white You should also check out this post I wrote about the [Zorn palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/zorn-palette/). In relation to the different brands of oil paint, I have had no issues with any of the top brands (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Michael Harding, etc). Just make sure you purchase “artist quality” over “student quality” if possible. There is a notable difference. ![Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners - Color Palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_3066.jpg) ## Surfaces to Paint On Canvas became the most popular surface to paint on around the 15th/16th century. Prior to that, wooden panels were used. There are two options with canvas: Stretched canvas panels: Canvas stretched over a frame. These are what you will probably be doing most of your oil painting on. Canvas boards: A cheap and sturdy alternative to stretched canvas panels. Canvas boards are usually just canvas attached to a sturdy surface like cardboard. I use these for study works and demonstrations. You can also paint on other surfaces, such as wooden boards, but you need to make sure that the surface you paint on has been primed with gesso. ## Oil Painting “Rules” In oil painting, there are some “rules” which you should follow to avoid your paint cracking. [Fat over lean](https://drawpaintacademy.com/fat-over-lean/): As noted earlier, oil paint is basically colored pigment that is held together by some kind of drying oil. The more oil present, the “fatter” the paint is and the slower it will dry. In general, you want to make sure the top layers of paint are fatter (or oiler) than the lower layers. Otherwise, the layers on top will dry faster than the layers below and the paint will crack. Thick over thin: The reasoning behind this rule is the same as the above rule. You want to make sure the paint at the top dries slower than the paint at the bottom. Thick paint will usually dry slower than thin paint. In practice, I will start a painting with thin paint which has been mixed with some odorless solvent. Then I start using paint straight from the tube and take advantage of the paint texture. > *Tip: Visible brushwork is a fantastic element of painting, but it is often overlooked by beginners. Below is a close-up of one of my paintings which demonstrates visible brushwork. This kind of visible brushwork is only possible when you use a brush loaded with thick paint.* ![Overall Track Painting Tutorial - Close Up 4](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Close-Up.jpg) These rules are only really applicable to the traditional painting approach where you would paint layer on layer using [glazes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/glaze/). If you paint [alla prima](https://drawpaintacademy.com/alla-prima-painting-tips/) then you do not need to worry as much about these rules. However, it is still important to understand them. If you want to make sure you never have an issue with the fat over lean rule, then just use paint straight from the tube. This way most of the paint will have a similar drying time and the paint on top should not dry any faster than the paint at the bottom. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as the drying time of paint is influenced by many factors. But you should not have any issues in practice. ## Oil Painting Techniques I discuss the different oil painting techniques [in this post](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/). Here are the techniques which I use most frequently: - Scumbling – This is a dry-brush technique that involves gently dragging your brush over the canvas to produce a broken color effect. - Thin washes with solvent – By mixing oil paint with solvent, you can produce a very thin wash of transparent color which dries fast. This is how I usually start my paintings. - Multi-colored brush strokes – If you leave various colors unmixed on your brush, you can create these beautiful multi-colored streaks. I do not use glazing all that much. I prefer to build up paint on the canvas by using scumbling, as it can produce an interesting broken color effect. ![Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, Oil, 10x12 Inches, 2017](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sunset-Study-Kingfisher-Bay-Oil-10x12-Inches-2017.jpg) Dan Scott, Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, 2017 ## Oil Painting Process Here is my general approach for completing an oil painting: First, I stain the canvas with a thin wash of paint plus solvent. I generally use some kind of earth tone like raw umber or burnt sienna. This gets rid of any white on the canvas, which can be difficult to paint on top of. Second, I do a rough sketch of the composition. I will use more detail for more complex subjects. ![Part 1 - Prepare The Canvas And Sketch](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1.jpg) Third, I quickly block in the general shapes and colors, trying to establish the structure and color [harmony](https://drawpaintacademy.com/harmony/). I do not want to get caught up in the detail just yet. ![Part 4 - Block In The Colors And Shapes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/4.jpg) Forth, I refine what is on the canvas until there are no more problems to solve. Fifth, I sign the painting and go through my [post-painting processes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/finished-painting/). ![Overland Track, Yellow Landscape, Oil, 12x16 Inches, 2018](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/180619-Overland-Track-Yellow-Landscape-12x16-Inches-Oil-Updated-Iphone-Cloudy-Outside.jpg) Here are some tutorials which demonstrate my process: [Landscape Painting Tutorial – Painting The Overland Track Using Oils](https://drawpaintacademy.com/landscape-painting-tutorial-overland-track/) [Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners – Overcast Day In Bali](https://drawpaintacademy.com/step-by-step-oil-painting-tutorial-bali/) [Oil Painting Tutorial – New Zealand Reflections](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting-tutorial-new-zealand-reflections-12x16-inches/) [Painting Tutorial – Secrets On The Lake On A Bright, Sunny Day In Oils](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-painting-tutorial-secrets-on-the-lake/) [Painting Tutorial – Afternoon In Queenstown, New Zealand](https://drawpaintacademy.com/painting-tutorial-afternoon-in-queenstown-new-zealand/) [Landscape Painting Tutorial – Mount Barney](https://drawpaintacademy.com/landscape-painting-tutorial-mount-barney/) ## What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting Here is a summary of what I do after I have [finished an oil painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/finished-painting/): - I leave it on the easel for a few days to see if I am truly happy with the result. - I wait for an overcast day to photograph the painting outside. - I leave the painting somewhere safe to dry (out of any direct sunlight and preferably away from dust). - I write a tutorial about the painting on Draw Paint Academy. - I post the painting on any relevant [social media platforms](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-websites-to-promote-your-art-online/). ![11 Things To Do With Your Finished Painting - Photographing Your Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG-2236.jpg) Photographing Your Painting ## Oil Painting Books Alla Prima II – Expanded Edition Everything I Know about Painting–And More Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice Ken Howard a Personal View: Inspired by Light (Atelier Series) Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist There are some more books included in my [oil painting reading list](https://drawpaintacademy.com/top-10-painting-books-for-aspiring-artists/). ## Oil Painting Videos You can see my oil painting videos [here](https://drawpaintacademy.com/videos/). ![How I Painted Magenta Flowers (Oil Painting Tutorial)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/7e08d8ea97e012cb8b740a1891d92fc8.jpg) Below are some other channels you might be interested in: [The Art Students League of New York](https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtStudentsLeagueNY/featured) [Draw Mix Paint](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXgSi1Kwt7K2RUOapq2KHuQ) [DG Paints](https://www.youtube.com/user/dgoilpainting) [Sergey Gusev](https://www.youtube.com/user/GusevArtGallery) [Jeff Watts](https://www.youtube.com/user/wattsatelier) [Fine Art Academy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9berO64_friwLRsKQ9fag) [Colour in Your Life](https://www.youtube.com/user/MazumaProductions1) [Kevin Hill](https://www.youtube.com/user/KevinOilPainting) ## Famous Oil Painters Here are some famous oil painters you should explore: - [Vincent van Gogh](https://drawpaintacademy.com/facts-about-vincent-van-gogh/) - Frida Kahlo - [Claude Monet](https://drawpaintacademy.com/water-lilies-by-claude-monet/) - Rembrandt - [Joaquín Sorolla](https://drawpaintacademy.com/11-beautiful-examples-of-how-to-paint-by-joaquin-sorolla/) - [Berthe Morisot](https://drawpaintacademy.com/berthe-morisot/) - [John Singer Sargent](https://drawpaintacademy.com/inspirational-art-quotes-john-singer-sargent/) - James Abbott McNeill Whistler - Caravaggio - Lucian Freud You can see beautiful close-ups of these paintings on [Wikiart](https://wikiart.org/). ![John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/John-Singer-Sargent-Rosina-Ferrara-Dancing-Tarantella-1878.jpg) John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878 ## Famous Oil Paintings There have been many famous oil paintings created, too many to even fathom. Here are just a handful of famous oil paintings from various eras: ![Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Auguste-Renoir-Bal-du-moulin-de-la-Galette.jpg) Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette ![Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol - Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Claude-Monet-Woman-With-A-Parasol-Madame-Monet-And-Her-Son-1875.jpg) Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol – Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875 ![Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Vincent-van-Gogh-starry-Night.jpg) Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889 ![Edvard Munch, The Scream](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Edvard-Munch-The-Scream.jpg) Edvard Munch, The Scream ![Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Georges-Suerat-A-Sunday-Afternoon-On-The-Island-Of-La-Grande-Jatte.jpg) Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte ![James McNeill Whistler, Whistler's Mother](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/James-McNeill-Whistler-Whilsters-Mother.jpg) James McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s Mother ![Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sandro-Botticelli-The-Birth-Of-Venus.jpg) Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus ![Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Mona-Lisa.jpg) Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa ![Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Johannes-Vermeer-The-Milkmaid-Date-Unknown.jpg) Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660 ![Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Rembrandt-The-Anatomy-Lesson-of-Dr.-Nicolaes-Tulp-1632.jpg) Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632 ## Oil Paint Clean-Up Time The downside of oil painting is the cleanup time. No matter how hard I try, oil paint just seems to just get around. To clean up after your oil painting session, you can use soapy water but more preferably solvent or turpentine. As the paint is oil based, water is not effective. You also need to make sure you take care of your brushes. Your brushes will not last long if you do not properly clean them after a session (and you do not intend to use them again in the near future). I usually just take the brushes and work them on a bar of soap and then rinse them through warm water. You can read more about cleaning your oil paint brushes [here](https://drawpaintacademy.com/how-to-clean-oil-paint-brushes/). ![How To Clean Oil Paint Brushes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/How-To-Clean-Paint-Brushes.jpg) ## Varnishing Your Oil Painting You can varnish your oil painting to protect it from the environment. Over time, dust, debris, wind and other elements can damage an unvarnished painting. Varnish acts as a layer between the paint and the environment. But you need to ensure that the varnish you apply is removable. This allows for the painting to be restored at a later time if needed (colors tend to fade over time). The process is fairly simple. You need to wait for the painting to dry completely. For paintings with thick paint, this could take up to 3 months. You generally have the choice between gloss or matte varnish. This is mostly up to personal preference. Then, take your varnish and spread it evenly over your painting using a large [brush](https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-paint-brushes/). Here is a demonstration of the process: ![how to varnish an oil painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/ec6c91c208b72c4e3b7d228f129f46e4.jpg) ## Oil Paint Safety Oil paint and the relevant mediums are toxic, so you need to handle them with care. If you are sensitive to the chemicals, you might want to consider using gloves. And, of course, keep your paints out of reach of children. You should also make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area. ## Additional Readings [Oil Painting Tips For Beginners](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting-tips-beginners/) [Acrylic versus Oil Painting – Which Medium Should You Start With?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/acrylic-versus-oil-painting/) [7 Of The Best Oil Painting Demonstration Videos On Youtube](https://drawpaintacademy.com/7-of-the-best-oil-painting-demonstration-videos-on-youtube/) [9 Oil Painting Techniques For Beginners](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/) [How To Start An Oil Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/how-to-start-an-oil-painting/) ## Want to Learn More? You might be interested in my [Painting Academy](https://drawpaintacademy.com/painting-academy/) course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters. ## Thanks for Reading\! I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends. Happy painting\! Dan Scott ![](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Signature-DPA.png) Draw Paint Academy [About](https://drawpaintacademy.com/about/) \\| [Supply List](https://drawpaintacademy.com/supplies/) \\| [Featured Posts](https://drawpaintacademy.com/blog/) \\| [Products](https://drawpaintacademy.com/art-courses/) Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the [About page](https://drawpaintacademy.com/about/). * Enjoyed this post? Join over 100,000 artists** who subscribe to the Draw Paint Academy newsletter. ## 15 comments on “Oil Painting – The Ultimate Guide for Beginners” 1. Tician [March 26, 2026 at 3:47 pm](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-77864) Warum nicht auf deutsch? schade, möchte davon lernen \! [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-77864) 2. Jon Spencer [February 13, 2024 at 7:10 pm](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-72085) I’m honestly surprised that this article doesn’t mention Bob Ross. His work might not be “classic” like the other artists, but he is a very famous painter. [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-72085) 3. Teri Ehr [July 6, 2022 at 2:51 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-61569) I am about to start my first on-my-own oil painting and I’ve been stalling for a week – where to start? what technique to use? ….. I appreciated your 1-2-3-4 step explanation. This is what I do first, 2nd…. I’ve taken some classes and used different techniques, i.e. underpainting, glazes, background first, background last. Now on my own and I’m lost and confused. Thanks for your step by step guide\! [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-61569) 4. Beatriz [June 6, 2021 at 9:01 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-28487) Very good recommendations [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-28487) 5. Madison [April 29, 2021 at 4:34 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-25938) This was incredibly helpful as someone totally unexperienced with oil painting! I would like to offer a quick correction though, “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli was painted with tempera, not oils\! [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-25938) 6. Ruthanne Miles [January 5, 2021 at 7:33 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-16812) Is there any alternative paint thinner that I can use until I get some? [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-16812) - Dan Scott [January 6, 2021 at 10:50 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-16897) Hi Ruthanne If you are using oils, it is possible to paint without any thinner. Just use paint from the tube. Hope that helps\! Dan [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-16897) 7. Kim Felder [July 8, 2019 at 3:57 pm](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-8688) Thank you for this information – so helpful! I also read your detailed post on cleaning paint brushes. I’m worried about paint, linseed oil, and the Bob Ross brush cleaner/conditioner going down the kitchen sink. That doesn’t feel like it is good for the environment, but I’m not sure. I’m pretty sure that putting solvent or turpentine down the sink would not be a good idea. Do you have information about how to be responsible and not cause harm when using solvents or the specialized brush cleaners? [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-8688) - Dan Scott [July 9, 2019 at 1:01 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-8710) Hi Kim. You might want to contact your local council to see what the best option would be. One thought is to put all the excess solvent and turpentine into a bag and take that directly to your local tip. Kind regards, Dan [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-8710) - Elli [September 17, 2019 at 5:21 pm](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-10041) Turpentine, along with other solvents, should NOT be washed down the sink as it is bad for the environment. Please see website below or you can download the MSDS for more information. <https://www.koh-i-noor.cz/media/files/content/turpentine-oil-100ml.pdf> [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-10041) - Dan Scott [September 18, 2019 at 2:44 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-10046) Thanks for adding that Elli\! Dan [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-10046) 8. Dorothy [April 19, 2019 at 5:04 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-6509) Thank you!! I am about to start oil painting and was nervous about it. You have eased my mind and the detailed explanation about the techniques and the process are perfect. [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-6509) - Dan Scott [April 20, 2019 at 3:21 am](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-6564) Happy to have helped Dorothy! Good luck. Dan [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-6564) 9. Sati shiva [October 22, 2018 at 3:33 pm](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-3479) This was A to Z information about oil paintings thanks for sharing very useful [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-3479) 10. Sati shiva [October 22, 2018 at 3:19 pm](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-3478) Amazing guidance you are so selfless generous to share [Reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#comment-3478) ### Leave a Comment [Cancel reply](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#respond) #### Related Posts [![Erin Hanson, Aspen Forest, 2020](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Erin-Hanson-Aspen-Forest-2020.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/erin-hanson/) ### [Interview With “Open Impressionism” Artist Erin Hanson](https://drawpaintacademy.com/erin-hanson/) March 8, 2021 [![George Elbert Burr, The Rhone From the Path to Salvari - Switzerland, 1898](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/George-Elbert-Burr-The-Rhone-From-the-Path-to-Salvari-Switzerland-1898-700x430.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/george-elbert-burrs-watercolors/) ### [George Elbert Burr’s Watercolors](https://drawpaintacademy.com/george-elbert-burrs-watercolors/) May 29, 2025 [![Jasper Francis Cropsey, Untitled Sunset, 1876](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jasper-Francis-Cropsey-Untitled-Sunset-1876-Full-700x369.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/jasper-cropseys-sunset-painting/) ### [Jasper Cropsey’s Sunset Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/jasper-cropseys-sunset-painting/) October 7, 2025 [![Dan Scott, Montville, Lush Greens, Rainy Day, 2023](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dan-Scott-Montville-Lush-Greens-Rainy-Day-2023-1200W-700x524.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/lush-greens-pink-flowers/) ### [Painting a Complex Landscape With Lush Greens and Pink Flowers](https://drawpaintacademy.com/lush-greens-pink-flowers/) December 27, 2023 [![Isaac Levitan, Trail in Deciduous Forest, Ferns, 1895 1200w](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Isaac-Levitan-Trail-in-Deciduous-Forest-Ferns-1895-1200w-1-700x494.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/trail-in-deciduous-forest/) ### [Isaac Levitan’s Trail in Deciduous Forest](https://drawpaintacademy.com/trail-in-deciduous-forest/) April 15, 2024 [![Frits Thaulow, Water Mill, 1892](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Frits-Thaulow-Water-Mill-1892-700x474.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/frits-thaulows-water-paintings/) ### [Exploring Frits Thaulow’s Water Paintings](https://drawpaintacademy.com/frits-thaulows-water-paintings/) November 12, 2024 [![Dan Scott Paintings](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Paintings-4.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/painting-academy/) ### [Painting Academy: The Fundamentals](https://drawpaintacademy.com/painting-academy/ "Painting Academy: The Fundamentals") I'll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. 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Readable Markdown	Oil paints are one of the most popular artistic mediums, and for good reason. They are versatile, archival, and economical. But it can be a struggle to pick up. There are some “rules” you need to be aware of and the techniques can take some time to become familiar with. This guide covers most of the fundamental areas of oil painting to get you started. - [Why Oil Painting?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#why-oil-painting) - [What Is Oil Paint?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#what-is-oil-paint) - [Oil Painting Supplies](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-supplies) - [Oil Painting Color Palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-color-palette) - [Surfaces to Paint On](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#surfaces-to-paint-on) - [Oil Painting “Rules”](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-rules) - [Oil Painting Techniques](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-techniques) - [Oil Painting Process](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-process) - [What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#what-to-do-after-you-have-finished-your-oil-painting) - [Oil Painting Books](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-books) - [Oil Painting Videos](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-painting-videos) - [Famous Oil Painters](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#famous-oil-painters) - [Famous Oil Paintings](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#famous-oil-paintings) - [Oil Paint Clean-Up Time](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-paint-cleanup-time) - [Varnishing Your Oil Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#varnishing-your-oil-painting) - [Oil Paint Safety](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#oil-paint-safety) - [Additional Readings](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#additional-readings) - [Want to Learn More?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#want-to-learn-more) - [Thanks for Reading\!](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting/#thanks-for-reading) ![Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Claude-Monet-Fishing-Boats-At-Sea-1868.jpg) Claude Monet, Fishing Boats At Sea, 1868 [Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-art-tools/painting-the-landscape/ "Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)") I’ll walk you through the entire process using one of my recent paintings. You’ll see how I go from idea all the way through to reflecting on the finished painting. [![Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dan-Scott-Fraser-Island-Analogous-Colors-2024-700W.jpg)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-art-tools/painting-the-landscape/ "Painting the Landscape (Free Workshop)") Why would you use oil paints over some of the other alternatives like acrylics or watercolors? Here are some reasons: - They are versatile. You can vary the [drying time](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/) and consistency of your paint dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, glazing and [scumbling](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/). - They were favored by the all-time greats of painting. It is hard to argue the downside of using oil paints when so many amazing artists used them to such success. - Oil paintings seem to be held in higher regard by art collectors compared to acrylic paintings (there are some exceptions to this of course). You really cannot go wrong with oil paints. If you are just starting out with painting, I suggest you jump straight into oil painting unless you really want to practice acrylics or watercolors. If you think oil painting is too complex for you, then I urge you to reconsider. There are really only a few “rules” which you need to understand in oil painting (discussed later in this post) and the rest is pretty straightforward. ## What Is Oil Paint? Oil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a [drying oil](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-paint-drying-time/), usually [linseed oil](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BNHDEI?tag=drawpaintacademy-20). The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the pigment is and the medium which is used. You can make oil paint more fluid by mixing it with more oil, or by adding a [solvent](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IIWQFO2?tag=drawpaintacademy-20), however, this also weakens the paint. Oil paint is generally at its most stable form straight from the tube. ## Oil Painting Supplies Here is a basic set of oil painting [supplies and equipment](https://drawpaintacademy.com/supplies/): - A range of small to large paintbrushes designed for oil painting. Hog hair and decent synthetic brushes are great for oil painting. You should read my guide here on [artist paint brushes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-paint-brushes/) for more information. - An easel. - [A palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-palettes/). - A basic palette of paints (discussed below). - A surface to paint on (discussed below). - Odorless solvent. - Linseed oil. - Paper towel (for wiping your brushes). I provide some more detail on the oil painting supplies [in this post](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting-supply-list/). ## Oil Painting Color Palette With your color palette, I suggest you use as few colors as possible. This will force you to learn how to mix your colors. At a minimum, you should have a red, blue, yellow, and white. Here is my current color palette: - Ultramarine blue - Cobalt blue - Cadmium yellow - Cadmium yellow light - Yellow ochre - Cadmium orange - Cadmium red - Alizarin crimson - Raw umber or burnt sienna - Titanium white You should also check out this post I wrote about the [Zorn palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/zorn-palette/). In relation to the different brands of oil paint, I have had no issues with any of the top brands (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Old Holland, Michael Harding, etc). Just make sure you purchase “artist quality” over “student quality” if possible. There is a notable difference. ![Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners - Color Palette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_3066.jpg) ## Surfaces to Paint On Canvas became the most popular surface to paint on around the 15th/16th century. Prior to that, wooden panels were used. There are two options with canvas: Stretched canvas panels: Canvas stretched over a frame. These are what you will probably be doing most of your oil painting on. Canvas boards: A cheap and sturdy alternative to stretched canvas panels. Canvas boards are usually just canvas attached to a sturdy surface like cardboard. I use these for study works and demonstrations. You can also paint on other surfaces, such as wooden boards, but you need to make sure that the surface you paint on has been primed with gesso. ## Oil Painting “Rules” In oil painting, there are some “rules” which you should follow to avoid your paint cracking. [Fat over lean](https://drawpaintacademy.com/fat-over-lean/): As noted earlier, oil paint is basically colored pigment that is held together by some kind of drying oil. The more oil present, the “fatter” the paint is and the slower it will dry. In general, you want to make sure the top layers of paint are fatter (or oiler) than the lower layers. Otherwise, the layers on top will dry faster than the layers below and the paint will crack. Thick over thin: The reasoning behind this rule is the same as the above rule. You want to make sure the paint at the top dries slower than the paint at the bottom. Thick paint will usually dry slower than thin paint. In practice, I will start a painting with thin paint which has been mixed with some odorless solvent. Then I start using paint straight from the tube and take advantage of the paint texture. > *Tip: Visible brushwork is a fantastic element of painting, but it is often overlooked by beginners. Below is a close-up of one of my paintings which demonstrates visible brushwork. This kind of visible brushwork is only possible when you use a brush loaded with thick paint.* ![Overall Track Painting Tutorial - Close Up 4](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Close-Up.jpg) These rules are only really applicable to the traditional painting approach where you would paint layer on layer using [glazes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/glaze/). If you paint [alla prima](https://drawpaintacademy.com/alla-prima-painting-tips/) then you do not need to worry as much about these rules. However, it is still important to understand them. If you want to make sure you never have an issue with the fat over lean rule, then just use paint straight from the tube. This way most of the paint will have a similar drying time and the paint on top should not dry any faster than the paint at the bottom. However, this is not a hard and fast rule as the drying time of paint is influenced by many factors. But you should not have any issues in practice. ## Oil Painting Techniques I discuss the different oil painting techniques [in this post](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/). Here are the techniques which I use most frequently: - Scumbling – This is a dry-brush technique that involves gently dragging your brush over the canvas to produce a broken color effect. - Thin washes with solvent – By mixing oil paint with solvent, you can produce a very thin wash of transparent color which dries fast. This is how I usually start my paintings. - Multi-colored brush strokes – If you leave various colors unmixed on your brush, you can create these beautiful multi-colored streaks. I do not use glazing all that much. I prefer to build up paint on the canvas by using scumbling, as it can produce an interesting broken color effect. ![Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, Oil, 10x12 Inches, 2017](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sunset-Study-Kingfisher-Bay-Oil-10x12-Inches-2017.jpg) Dan Scott, Sunset Study, Kingfisher Bay, 2017 ## Oil Painting Process Here is my general approach for completing an oil painting: First, I stain the canvas with a thin wash of paint plus solvent. I generally use some kind of earth tone like raw umber or burnt sienna. This gets rid of any white on the canvas, which can be difficult to paint on top of. Second, I do a rough sketch of the composition. I will use more detail for more complex subjects. ![Part 1 - Prepare The Canvas And Sketch](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1.jpg) Third, I quickly block in the general shapes and colors, trying to establish the structure and color [harmony](https://drawpaintacademy.com/harmony/). I do not want to get caught up in the detail just yet. ![Part 4 - Block In The Colors And Shapes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/4.jpg) Forth, I refine what is on the canvas until there are no more problems to solve. Fifth, I sign the painting and go through my [post-painting processes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/finished-painting/). ![Overland Track, Yellow Landscape, Oil, 12x16 Inches, 2018](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/180619-Overland-Track-Yellow-Landscape-12x16-Inches-Oil-Updated-Iphone-Cloudy-Outside.jpg) Here are some tutorials which demonstrate my process: [Landscape Painting Tutorial – Painting The Overland Track Using Oils](https://drawpaintacademy.com/landscape-painting-tutorial-overland-track/) [Oil Painting Tutorial For Beginners – Overcast Day In Bali](https://drawpaintacademy.com/step-by-step-oil-painting-tutorial-bali/) [Oil Painting Tutorial – New Zealand Reflections](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting-tutorial-new-zealand-reflections-12x16-inches/) [Painting Tutorial – Secrets On The Lake On A Bright, Sunny Day In Oils](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-painting-tutorial-secrets-on-the-lake/) [Painting Tutorial – Afternoon In Queenstown, New Zealand](https://drawpaintacademy.com/painting-tutorial-afternoon-in-queenstown-new-zealand/) [Landscape Painting Tutorial – Mount Barney](https://drawpaintacademy.com/landscape-painting-tutorial-mount-barney/) ## What to Do After You Have Finished Your Oil Painting Here is a summary of what I do after I have [finished an oil painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/finished-painting/): - I leave it on the easel for a few days to see if I am truly happy with the result. - I wait for an overcast day to photograph the painting outside. - I leave the painting somewhere safe to dry (out of any direct sunlight and preferably away from dust). - I write a tutorial about the painting on Draw Paint Academy. - I post the painting on any relevant [social media platforms](https://drawpaintacademy.com/free-websites-to-promote-your-art-online/). ![11 Things To Do With Your Finished Painting - Photographing Your Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG-2236.jpg) Photographing Your Painting ## Oil Painting Books Alla Prima II – Expanded Edition Everything I Know about Painting–And More Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice Ken Howard a Personal View: Inspired by Light (Atelier Series) Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist There are some more books included in my [oil painting reading list](https://drawpaintacademy.com/top-10-painting-books-for-aspiring-artists/). ## Oil Painting Videos You can see my oil painting videos [here](https://drawpaintacademy.com/videos/). ![How I Painted Magenta Flowers (Oil Painting Tutorial)](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/7e08d8ea97e012cb8b740a1891d92fc8.jpg) Below are some other channels you might be interested in: [The Art Students League of New York](https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtStudentsLeagueNY/featured) [Draw Mix Paint](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXgSi1Kwt7K2RUOapq2KHuQ) [DG Paints](https://www.youtube.com/user/dgoilpainting) [Sergey Gusev](https://www.youtube.com/user/GusevArtGallery) [Jeff Watts](https://www.youtube.com/user/wattsatelier) [Fine Art Academy](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9berO64_friwLRsKQ9fag) [Colour in Your Life](https://www.youtube.com/user/MazumaProductions1) [Kevin Hill](https://www.youtube.com/user/KevinOilPainting) ## Famous Oil Painters Here are some famous oil painters you should explore: - [Vincent van Gogh](https://drawpaintacademy.com/facts-about-vincent-van-gogh/) - Frida Kahlo - [Claude Monet](https://drawpaintacademy.com/water-lilies-by-claude-monet/) - Rembrandt - [Joaquín Sorolla](https://drawpaintacademy.com/11-beautiful-examples-of-how-to-paint-by-joaquin-sorolla/) - [Berthe Morisot](https://drawpaintacademy.com/berthe-morisot/) - [John Singer Sargent](https://drawpaintacademy.com/inspirational-art-quotes-john-singer-sargent/) - James Abbott McNeill Whistler - Caravaggio - Lucian Freud You can see beautiful close-ups of these paintings on [Wikiart](https://wikiart.org/). ![John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/John-Singer-Sargent-Rosina-Ferrara-Dancing-Tarantella-1878.jpg) John Singer Sargent, Rosina Ferrara Dancing Tarantella, 1878 ## Famous Oil Paintings There have been many famous oil paintings created, too many to even fathom. Here are just a handful of famous oil paintings from various eras: ![Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Auguste-Renoir-Bal-du-moulin-de-la-Galette.jpg) Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette ![Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol - Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Claude-Monet-Woman-With-A-Parasol-Madame-Monet-And-Her-Son-1875.jpg) Claude Monet, Woman With A Parasol – Madame Monet And Her Son, 1875 ![Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Vincent-van-Gogh-starry-Night.jpg) Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889 ![Edvard Munch, The Scream](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Edvard-Munch-The-Scream.jpg) Edvard Munch, The Scream ![Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Georges-Suerat-A-Sunday-Afternoon-On-The-Island-Of-La-Grande-Jatte.jpg) Georges Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte ![James McNeill Whistler, Whistler's Mother](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/James-McNeill-Whistler-Whilsters-Mother.jpg) James McNeill Whistler, Whistler’s Mother ![Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sandro-Botticelli-The-Birth-Of-Venus.jpg) Sandro Botticelli, The Birth Of Venus ![Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Mona-Lisa.jpg) Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa ![Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Johannes-Vermeer-The-Milkmaid-Date-Unknown.jpg) Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c.1660 ![Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Rembrandt-The-Anatomy-Lesson-of-Dr.-Nicolaes-Tulp-1632.jpg) Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, 1632 ## Oil Paint Clean-Up Time The downside of oil painting is the cleanup time. No matter how hard I try, oil paint just seems to just get around. To clean up after your oil painting session, you can use soapy water but more preferably solvent or turpentine. As the paint is oil based, water is not effective. You also need to make sure you take care of your brushes. Your brushes will not last long if you do not properly clean them after a session (and you do not intend to use them again in the near future). I usually just take the brushes and work them on a bar of soap and then rinse them through warm water. You can read more about cleaning your oil paint brushes [here](https://drawpaintacademy.com/how-to-clean-oil-paint-brushes/). ![How To Clean Oil Paint Brushes](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/How-To-Clean-Paint-Brushes.jpg) ## Varnishing Your Oil Painting You can varnish your oil painting to protect it from the environment. Over time, dust, debris, wind and other elements can damage an unvarnished painting. Varnish acts as a layer between the paint and the environment. But you need to ensure that the varnish you apply is removable. This allows for the painting to be restored at a later time if needed (colors tend to fade over time). The process is fairly simple. You need to wait for the painting to dry completely. For paintings with thick paint, this could take up to 3 months. You generally have the choice between gloss or matte varnish. This is mostly up to personal preference. Then, take your varnish and spread it evenly over your painting using a large [brush](https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-paint-brushes/). Here is a demonstration of the process: ![how to varnish an oil painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/ec6c91c208b72c4e3b7d228f129f46e4.jpg) ## Oil Paint Safety Oil paint and the relevant mediums are toxic, so you need to handle them with care. If you are sensitive to the chemicals, you might want to consider using gloves. And, of course, keep your paints out of reach of children. You should also make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area. ## Additional Readings [Oil Painting Tips For Beginners](https://drawpaintacademy.com/oil-painting-tips-beginners/) [Acrylic versus Oil Painting – Which Medium Should You Start With?](https://drawpaintacademy.com/acrylic-versus-oil-painting/) [7 Of The Best Oil Painting Demonstration Videos On Youtube](https://drawpaintacademy.com/7-of-the-best-oil-painting-demonstration-videos-on-youtube/) [9 Oil Painting Techniques For Beginners](https://drawpaintacademy.com/9-oil-painting-techniques-for-beginners/) [How To Start An Oil Painting](https://drawpaintacademy.com/how-to-start-an-oil-painting/) ## Want to Learn More? You might be interested in my [Painting Academy](https://drawpaintacademy.com/painting-academy/) course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters. ## Thanks for Reading\! I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends. Happy painting\! Dan Scott ![](https://drawpaintacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Signature-DPA.png) Draw Paint Academy [About](https://drawpaintacademy.com/about/) \\| [Supply List](https://drawpaintacademy.com/supplies/) \\| [Featured Posts](https://drawpaintacademy.com/blog/) \\| [Products](https://drawpaintacademy.com/art-courses/) Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the [About page](https://drawpaintacademy.com/about/). Enjoyed this post? Join over 100,000 artists who subscribe to the Draw Paint Academy newsletter.
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