How to Start Oil Painting - Basic Supplies, Easy Techniques and Expert Tips

Starting oil painting can feel overwhelming—so many tools, techniques, and myths about its complexity. You’ve probably heard that it’s messy, expensive, and requires years of training to even produce something worth looking at.

You might already be using another medium and wondering if it's worth switching. Or, you might not have even tried any of them. Some artists might urge you to start with acrylics instead of oils because they are less costly. But, here's a thing: all those “barriers” are more manageable than you might think and actually what makes oils so special.

Actually, you just need a few essential supplie - like a limited palette, some affordable brushes, and a primed surface. You can easily set up a beginner-friendly workspace without spending too much money or time. Oil painting isn't just about creating art - it's about enjoying the process, experimenting, and letting yourself make mistakes.

“Oil painting is a means of self-discovery. Every stroke teaches you something about yourself and the world around you.” - says John Berger.

What Supplies Do You Need to Start Oil Painting?

Before you begin oil painting, it’s important to have the right supplies. Don’t worry—you don’t need to break the bank or stockpile every product in the art store. With a few carefully chosen tools and materials, you can get started and enjoy the process without frustration.

1. Paints

Obviously, you’ll need some oil paint. However, you don’t need all the colors. You can start simple, with a limited palette. Start with the colors listed below.

• Titanium White - Useful for lightening and mixing.
• Cadmium Red - a warm red, good for mixing oranges and muted pinks.
• Ultramarine Blue - a versatile primary blue for mixing greens, purples, and dark shades. It’s also affordable and widely available, making it a beginner-friendly choice.
• Yellow Ochre - a muted yellow for earthy tones and a foundation for skin tones. It’s easier to handle than brighter yellows like Cadmium Yellow, so beginners can focus on subtle, natural mixes.
• Ivory Black - helps with creating grays and deepening shadows.
• Burnt Umber (optional) - great for tonal underpainting or deep, warm shadows.

Are these enough? Yes, these are basic colors that are versatile and teach you color mixing. Not only it’s cheaper this way, but you also get a deeper understanding of tones and shades.

Tip: Look for artist-grade paints if possible for richer pigments. If on a budget, student-grade paints are fine to practice with but may lack vibrancy

2. Brushes

There are way too many paintbrushes to choose from. You don’t need to understand a purpose of each, just see the basic brush types.

• The flat is for broad strokes and filling large areas.
• Filbert has a rounded shape that is perfect for blending and softer edges.
• Round is great for detailed work and fine lines.

Does material matter? Yes, hog hair brushes are durable and hold oil paint well, while synthetic brushes leave a softer, more refined finish.

Tip: Don’t buy too many brushes at first—two or three in different shapes and sizes are enough to get started.

3. Palette

You don’t have to buy a fancy palette to start oil painting. You can just repurpose the glass from a picture frame and use it as DIY “glass palette”. Don’t forget to tape the edges for safety. Glass is smooth, easy to clean and it’s a perfect material for mixing colors without staining.

There are also disposable paper palettes that are easy to clean up. However, it might get costly in the long run.

4. Surfaces

Regular paper isn’t ideal for oil painting unless it’s properly primed or specifically designed for oils. However, there are some beginner-friendly choices listed below.

• Pre-primed canvas boards.
• Oil painting paper (e.g., Arches Oil Paper).
• Cardboard or MDF board coated with gesso.

Why do we prime the canvas? Priming ensures the paint adheres well and prevents the oil from damaging the surface.

Fun fact! Leonardo da Vinci often painted on wooden panels, which are still an option today.

5. Mediums

Mediums alter the texture and drying time of oil paint. For instance, linseed oil ads fluidity and gloss but slows drying. On the other hand, Liquin speeds up drying and is great for beginners who want faster results.

You can paint straight from the tube, but experimenting with mediums can make your experience more fun. However, you don’t particularly need it.

Why bother with mediums? Simply because they are another way to explore different oil painting techniques. For example, linseed oil is great for creating smooth, shiny surfaces, while Liquin can help with layering faster. They can also affect the finish - some are more glossy and some can help with thickening the paint and creating thick bold strokes that are useful for impasto effects.

6. Solvents

Solvents are used for thinning paint and cleaning brushes, but they can be intimidating for beginners due to safety concerns. Some safe, beginner-friendly options include Gamsol or Winsor & Newton Sansodor, which are odorless and less harsh compared to traditional turpentine.

❗ Avoid traditional turpentine—it’s toxic and harsh.

How to use solvents safely?

• Always work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
• Store solvents in airtight containers to minimize exposure and prevent spills.
• Keep them away from heat sources, as they can be flammable.
• Use only small amounts at a time and dispose of them responsibly.

Remember: If you’re using solvents, store them in sealed containers to prevent fumes from escaping and keep them safely contained.

Is there any way to not use solvents? Yes, you can go entirely solvent-free using just linseed oil and specialized brush soaps. This is a great alternative for a safer, eco-friendly setup.

7. Additional Tools

Some additional tools you might need to start oil painting are palette knife, rags or paper towels and a brush soap. Now what’s the purpose of each?

• Palette knife is for mixing colors or applying thick paint in textured strokes. They can also create dynamic, textured strokes that brushes can’t replicate.
• Rags or paper towels are essential for cleaning brushes and wiping excess paint.
• Brush soap keeps your brushes clean and extends their lifespan.

How to Set Up Your Space For Oil Painting?

First, choose a good spot to start your project. Find a well-ventilated area to make sure that fresh air circulates, especially if you’re using solvents. Good lighting is also crucial. Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not possible, invest in a bright, daylight-balanced lamp to see colors accurately.

You can get an easel to keep your artwork at your eye level. But, it’s not mandatory.

Protect your table or floor with a plastic sheet or old newspapers to catch drips. Designate a spot for drying oil paintings, as oils take time to set.

Don’t skip these steps. Before you begin painting, it’s important to create a workspace that’s functional, comfortable and safe.

How to Prepare Before You Start Your Oil Painting?

Proper preparation like staining a canvas and sketching can make a huge difference in your painting process and final results.

Staining the Canvas

Staining is covering your canvas with a thin wash of color, usually an earth tone like Burnt Umber or Yellow Ochre. This wash creates a neutral base and reduces the intimidating glare of a blank white canvas.

• Mix a small amount of paint with a solvent or medium (e.g., linseed oil) to create a watery consistency.
• Apply the wash evenly with a wide brush or a rag.
• Wipe off any excess paint with a clean rag to keep the layer thin and consistent.
• Let it dry completely before starting to paint.

Sketching Your Composition

A simple sketch helps you plan your composition. This helps you see if all elements are placed correctly before adding paint. It’s like a blueprint that saves time and minimizes frustration later.

• Use a pencil, charcoal, or a thin layer of paint diluted with solvent.
• Focus on the main shapes and lines, avoiding unnecessary details.
• Lightly mark key points like the horizon line, focal areas, or large objects.
• If you use charcoal, lightly fix it with a spray fixative to prevent smudging.

Beginner-Friendly Oil Painting Techniques You Can Try

When you’re ready to start your oil painting, it’s helpful to understand some basic techniques like Alla Prima and Fat Over Lean that will guide your process. These approaches will make the medium easier to handle and give you the confidence to start your first ever painting.

Alla Prima (Wet-on-Wet)

Alla Prima technique means that you complete your painting in one session while the paint is still wet. You have to work quickly, layering wet paint over wet paint without letting it dry. Use a soft brush for blending edges and a palette knife for bold, textured strokes.

Why It’s great for beginners? You can blend colors directly on the canvas for smoother transitions. Plus, it encourages spontaneity and experimentation.

Layering (Fat Over Lean)

Layering is a method where you build up your painting in layers, starting with thin, lean paint and adding thicker, oil-rich layers on top.

You have to begin with a thinned paint layer (using solvent or medium) for the underpainting. Then, you can gradually add more oil or medium to the paint in successive layers.

Why it’s useful? Gives you more control to adjust details and refine your work over time. This method prevents cracking, as the top layers dry more slowly than the base.

Blocking In Shapes

This is the process of painting large, simple shapes first to establish the composition. You can use a large brush and bold strokes to fill in the major areas of the canvas. Don’t worry about perfection—this stage is about laying the groundwork.

Why it’s helpful? It lets you focus on the overall structure before painting the details. Plus, it helps maintain balance and proportion in your painting.

Blending

Blending is the technique of softly transitioning between two colors to create smooth gradients. This technique is important when creating realistic effects like skies, skin tones, or shadows.

You can use a clean, dry brush to gently feather the edges where two colors meet. Work slowly to avoid overmixing, which can muddy the colors.

Palette Knife Techniques

You can use a palette knife instead of a brush to apply paint. You can load the knife with paint and spread it on the canvas like butter on toast. Feel free to experiment with angles and pressure to create different effects.

Why it’s fun? First, it’s easy and you can feel satisfied with your first oil painting! This technique creates bold textures and dynamic effects. So, it’s great for building thick layers of paint or scraping away mistakes.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid in Oil Painting

Starting with oil painting can be exciting, but it’s easy to make some common mistakes along the way. Don’t worry, first of all, mistakes are part of the learning process. Plus, these are easy to fix or avoid altogether if you know what to look out for.

1. Don’t Overload the Supplies

Beginners often think they need every shade of paint or every type of brush. Stick to a limited palette and a few essential brushes. You can always add more as you grow confident in your skills.

2. Don’t Use Too Much Paint

It’s tempting to use large amounts, especially when mixing colors. Start with small amounts of paint on your palette. You can always add more if needed.

3. Don’t Mix Too Many Colors

Beginners often experiment with mixing without understanding color relationships. Stick to two or three colors at a time. A limited palette will help you learn how colors interact. Have color theory always ready at hand.

“Simultaneous contrast is not just a curious optical phenomenon - it is the very heart of painting.” - says Josef Albers.

4. Don’t Neglect Brush Care

Dried paint can ruin your brushes and make them unusable. Clean your brushes thoroughly with solvent and brush soap after each session. Don’t let them sit in water or solvent for long periods.

5. Don’t Rush the Drying Process

Beginners often get excited to see quick results. Be patient—oil paint takes time to dry. Use fast-drying mediums like Liquin if you’re short on time.

6. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Unrealistic expectations can take the joy out of learning. Art is about expressing yourself, it’s not a competition. If we wanted to see “overly perfect” paintings, everyone would use AI! Focus on your progress and enjoy the process. Every great artist started as a beginner!

Conclusion

If you’re ready to know more about oil painting, there’s a wealth of resources to help you along the way. Some highly recommended books include Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner by Steve Allrich, which simplifies core techniques, and The New Oil Painting by Kimberly Brooks, which focuses on modern approaches to the medium. For visual learners, YouTube channels like Paint Coach (Chris Fornataro), Florent Farges, and Andrew Tischler offer free tutorials, tips, and step-by-step projects that are perfect for beginners.

Looking for inspiration? Browse our curated selection of top artists' custom oil paintings. Seeing the mastery and creativity of others can spark your own ideas and show you what’s possible with oil painting.

Remember, every great painter started where you are now, with curiosity and a blank canvas. Embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn, and take your time to enjoy the process. Here’s a tip to keep in mind as you grow: step back often to view your work from a distance. You can also take a picture of the painting! Paintings look different in 2D, so sometimes it’s easier to see where to improve.

With the right resources, an open mind, and plenty of practice, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning oil paintings. Happy painting!