10 Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Painting From Beginning Artists

1. What basic oil painting supplies will I need to get started?

First of all, you will need oil paints, oil painting medium, canvas or wood panels, brushes, palette, palette knife, rags, thinner or brush cleaner, and an easel or stand to hold your painting surface upright.

For oil paints you will need a basic set of colors: cadmium red, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, titanium white, black, ivory and perhaps a few earth tones. To get started, buy paints for students or beginners.

As for brushes, take several different sizes: flat, round, filbert. Bristle brushes work well for oils. For the palette, you can use disposable paper palettes or a wooden or plastic palette with a thumb hole. You will also need a glass jar for oil paint and a brush cleaning solvent such as unscented mineral alcohol.

2. How to properly arrange and use a palette for oil painting?

Arrange your palette so that the colors are in a logical order, like on a color wheel, with white in the center and room for blending on the outer edges. Lay out only what you need for the job.

Oil painters often use a “palette whorl,” which is simply a pool of medium on the palette into which to dip their brushes as they work. To use a brush, pick up paint, dip it into the medium, and then apply the paint to the canvas. The medium dissolves oil paint so it goes on smoother. Wash your palette thoroughly between sessions.

3. What types of oil painting solvents are there and how to use them?

Linseed oil and alkyd oil are two common products that help thin and extend the life of oil paints. Flaxseed oil dries relatively slowly, while alkyd oil dries a little faster. Each of them can be purchased unscented.

Adding a small amount of oil makes the paints thinner, adding more will create a glaze or extend drying time. There are products that help speed up drying time. Solvents such as turpentine and odorless mineral spirits can also be used to thin oils. Test your mediums first as they all have different effects on paint consistency and drying time.

4. How long does it take for oil paints to dry completely?

Oil paints dry through a process of oxidation, rather than simply evaporating like watercolors or acrylics. Oil paint can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to dry completely, as it hardens from the outer surface inward. However, oil paint will form the "skin" on top much sooner, perhaps within a few days to a week or so, depending on the thickness of application and the ratio of oil to paint. The paintings must be completely dry before applying varnish.

5. What are the techniques for mixing paints when working with oil?

Oil paints retain their shape for a long time, which allows you to mix them directly on canvas. Use a soft brush and move back and forth to blend wet paint with wet paint. You can also apply the paint with your fingers and use a palette knife for direct application.

For underpainting, let the first coat dry completely and then apply wet and dry paints on top. Glazing involves diluting oil paint to a minimum and applying transparent multi-layer strokes. Impasto, on the contrary, is the application of thick, opaque layers of undiluted paint with a knife or brush. Experiment with different viscosities.

6. How to properly clean oil painting brushes?

1. Wipe off excess oil paint from the brush onto a rag.
2. Dip the brush into unscented mineral spirits and massage to remove any remaining pigment.
3. Use an old brush or grooved cleaning tool to work the mineral spirits through the bristles.
4. Wipe the brush again with a rag to remove any remaining pigment.
5. Add grease-fighting dish soap and run it through the bristles to remove mineral spirits.
6. Rinse the brush thoroughly with warm water until it becomes clear.
7. Carefully reshape the brush head and let it dry flat.

Properly cleaning your brushes after each use will prolong their life.

7. On what surfaces can you paint with oil paints?

The most common surfaces are canvas, wood panels and various base boards, prepared with primer or gesso to ensure oil paint adheres well.

Canvases come pre-primed and prepared, while panels often need to be adjusted to size and several coats of gesso applied before painting. Ampersand panels, masonite and wooden cradles serve as good rigid supports. Any surface should be hard, easy to clean, and have rough spots on which oil can cling. With proper preparation, you can also paint on paper, metal, or textured surfaces. Just avoid slippery, non-porous surfaces.

8. How to achieve different textures and strokes using oil paints?

Oil paints are well suited for creating noticeable brushstrokes and expressive textures. For rough, grungy effects, use a dry brush technique with a small amount of product.

Impasto involves applying thick, viscous layers of undiluted paint with a brush or palette knife to create distinct, raised textures.

Sgraffito is the scratching or scraping of thick, wet paint to reveal the layer underneath. Use a hard brush and move quickly to create crisp, aggressive strokes.

For textural contrast, allow the colored primer to show through thin layers. Add mediums or gels to create pouring and dripping effects. Experiment and have fun!

9. What is the best way to varnish a painting after it is completed?

Before varnishing the painting, allow it to dry completely for 6-12 months. Use a suitable varnish for oil painting - not a spray varnish or varnish designed for other media. There are removable (temporary) varnishes that can be used first, and then removed and covered with permanent varnish.

Apply the polish in thin, even layers with a clean brush in one direction, then allow it to dry completely before applying another light coat in the opposite direction. Varnish gives oil painting depth, richness and protection.

Both matte and glossy varnishes are available. If desired, apply varnish outdoors as a finishing step.

10. How to prevent oil paintings from cracking or yellowing over time?

Use quality oil paints (not student grade) and suitable oil painting primers and canvases. Protect paintings from sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Do not apply too thick a layer of impasto over thin underpainting as this will encourage cracking. Apply varnish once completely dry to create a protective barrier against yellowing. Use archival pigments such as cadmium, cobalt and oxides rather than volatile paints. Keep away from direct sunlight. Store and document using archival materials. Compliance with best practices in materials and varnishing is the key to longevity.