Oil Painting Techniques

Oil painting has always been a great passion of mine, and I can’t wait to share with you some of the techniques and approaches that make this artistic medium so magical. Whether you’re just starting out or have been painting for years, there’s always something new to discover and ways to change your approach to this painting style. The flexibility, vibrancy, and timelessness of oil paint have captured the hearts of artists for centuries, and it’s easy to see why.

Getting to Know Oil Paint

When I first started my journey with oil painting, I was drawn to the richness of the colours and the buttery texture of the paint. It was very different from anything else I’d tried before. The slow drying time was a game-changer for me—it gave me the time and freedom to visualise the blend of colours and make changes, hours or even days after laying down the original brush strokes. Oil paint felt a forgiving form of painting and full of possibilities.

One of the first oil painting techniques I learned was the importance of understanding the materials and choosing the right type of paint. Some artists love paints with high pigment content and a thick consistency, while others prefer softer, more fluid paints. I experimented with several brands and found a few firm favourites, but the process of trying new ones is always ongoing part of the fun. See this article about fine art printing, and how a print of an epic oil painting could be be yours for a fraction of the cost.

Now back to the Oil Painting Techniques

Layering: The Heart of Oil Painting

One of the core techniques in oil painting is layering. I fell in love with the idea of building a painting step by step, starting with an underpainting. This initial layer, often done in monochrome, serves as a roadmap for the composition. I remember my first underpainting—it looked so basic and flat, but as I added layers, the depth and vibrancy began to emerge. It’s like watching a story unfold on the canvas.

Glazing is another layering technique I adore. By applying thin, transparent layers of paint over dried sections, I can create glowing, luminous effects. I learned that glazing works best with colors like alizarin crimson or ultramarine blue because they’re naturally transparent. Each glaze transforms the painting, adding subtle shifts in tone and light. It’s a little like magic.

Impasto: The Joy of Texture

On the flip side of glazing is impasto, a technique where paint is applied thickly, creating texture that stands out from the canvas. I love how impasto allows me to add physical dimension to a piece. Using a palette knife or even the edge of a brush, I can create bold strokes that catch the light in fascinating ways. There’s something so satisfying about spreading paint with a knife—it’s almost sculptural.

I’ve noticed that impasto can be particularly effective for capturing the dynamic energy of a landscape or the texture of a flower’s petals. When I paint skies, for instance, I’ll often use impasto to make the clouds feel more alive. The best part? You can’t go wrong with it. Happy accidents often lead to the most stunning textures.

Wet-on-Wet and Alla Prima

For those days when I’m feeling bold, I turn to wet-on-wet painting, also known as alla prima. This technique involves completing a painting in one session, working quickly while the paint is still wet. It’s both exhilarating and nerve-wracking! There’s no time to overthink; you just dive in and let your instincts take over.

I remember my first alla prima attempt—it was a still life of apples and a jug. It didn’t come out perfect, but the process taught me to trust my intuition and embrace spontaneity. The way colours mix directly on the canvas creates beautiful, unexpected results. It’s a great reminder that not everything needs to be meticulously planned.

Oil Painting Techniques – The Dance of Brushes and Tools

Choosing brushes is another adventure. My collection has grown over the years, and each brush feels like an extension of my hand. I’ve got bristle brushes for bold, textured strokes and softer sable brushes for delicate blending. Fan brushes are my secret weapon for painting trees and foliage—they create a natural, feathery effect with minimal effort.

But brushes aren’t the only tools in my arsenal of oil painting techniques. I adore experimenting with palette knives, sponges, and even unconventional items like old credit cards or my fingertips. Every tool brings a unique quality to the painting. Palette knives are wonderful for creating sharp edges or layering on thick paint with a sense of controlled chaos. These are just a few of many oil painting techniques.

See Below for an explanation of the various brushes and tools you can choose from

• Bristle Brushes (often made from hog hair) are stiffer and good for textured, bold strokes.
• Synthetic Brushes are softer and work well for delicate blending.

While brushes are fundamental, oil painters often use other tools to achieve unique effects:

Ultimately, brushes are a key part of oil painting, but their role is just one piece of the creative puzzle. Many artists mix and match tools to achieve their desired effects, giving oil painting its incredible versatility.

Colour Mixing: The Endless Journey

Oh, the joy of mixing colours! (some people love black and white, but for me colour is my true passion) I could spend hours at my palette, experimenting with various combinations and oil painting techniques. One of the best tips I ever received was to limit my palette to just a few colours and learn how to mix everything from them. It’s amazing how many shades you can create with just red, blue, yellow, white, and black!

There’s something meditative (always a good thing) about blending colours to find just the right hue. When I mix, I’m not just thinking about colour—I’m thinking about how the colours will interact on the canvas. Will they complement or contrast? Will they evoke warmth or coolness? These decisions shape the emotional impact of any painting.

Take a look at this brilliant you tube video showing oil painting techniques for beginners

Embracing Different Styles

Every artist has their own stylistic approach, and exploring different styles has been a big part of my growth. Some days, I’m drawn to the precision of realism, where every detail is carefully rendered. On other days, I lose myself in the bold, expressive strokes of impressionism (where loose brushstrokes create light and atmosphere). I’ve even dabbled in abstraction, where the focus is more on the emotion and form the painting creates (not everyone’s cup of tea!) than on representing the physical world, or something more tangible.

I’ve found that switching styles keeps me inspired and helps me see the world in new ways. For example, studying the loose brushwork of Van Gogh taught me how to convey movement and energy, while observing Vermeer’s meticulous layering showed me the power of patience and detail.

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Learning from the Masters

Speaking of masters, studying the works of great artists has been a constant source of inspiration. I love visiting museums and getting up close to the paintings to see the brushstrokes. In some works, you can almost feel the artist’s presence—like they’re standing right there, sharing their process.

One of my favourite discoveries was how many artists used underpainting techniques to plan their compositions. Artists like Rembrandt often used earthy tones for their underpaintings, which added warmth and unity to the final piece. On the other hand, modern painters like Monet embraced quick, direct strokes to capture fleeting moments of form and light.

Happy Challenges

Oil painting isn’t without its challenges, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. Oil painting techniques involve Learning how to balance and blend tones within the medium and figuring out how to work with drying times, are both things to be considered. There is also the task of navigating the occasional muddy colour issue. But all of these hurdles have taught me patience and adaptability. I remember my first attempt at a portrait; the skin tones came out greyish and lifeless, but with practice, I’ve learned to mix subtle, lifelike colours and I’m sure you will too.

Sharing the Joy

One of the greatest joys of oil painting is sharing it with others. I love teaching friends and family, or hosting classes. Where I show them how to blend colours or create textures. Watching someone else discover the magic of oil painting for the first time is incredibly fulfilling.

And it’s not just teaching my students about oil painting techniques—I’ve also learned so much from other artists. Whether it’s in a workshop, an online class, or a casual conversation, exchanging ideas keeps my passion alive. Every artist has their own perspective, and there’s always something new to learn. You never stop learning and can pick up something new off someone who has only been painting for a shot time !

The Never-Ending Journey

What I love most about oil painting is that it feels like an endless journey. No matter how much I learn, there’s always more to explore. New techniques, new subjects, new ways of seeing the world—it’s a lifelong adventure.

Every time I pick up my brush, I feel a spark of excitement. I never know exactly where the painting will take me, but I know it’ll be somewhere interesting and wonderful. Whether I’m working on a quiet still life, a vibrant landscape, or an abstract experiment, the process fills me with joy.

So, if you’ve been thinking about trying oil painting, I say go for it! Embrace the mess, the learning curves, and the happy accidents. It’s a journey that will fill your life with colour and creativity, and I promise you won’t regret it. Let’s keep painting, dreaming, and celebrating the beauty of this timeless art form together!

See this great article about painting realism with acrylic