How to Paint With Oils

Painting with oils is more challenging than using watercolors or acrylics. You must have the patience to paint a single layer, let it dry, and return for additional layers over several days or even weeks. However, if you love the look of oils, nothing else will do. These steps will help you get started using oils to paint your masterpiece.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pigment
• Thinner (turpentine or mineral spirits)
• Medium (linseed oil)
• Brushes
• Palette knife
• Palette
• Stretched canvas
• Easel
• Drop cloth
• Painting clothes
• Hand cleaner

1. Prepare your workspace. Set your easel and canvas in a well-ventilated location. If indoors open a window and use a fan to force the fumes outside. Put a drop cloth under your work area.

2. Pour thinner into a container and set aside. Pour one part medium and one part thinner into a second container, preferably a squirt bottle. Most painters use linseed oil as a medium.

3. Place a few pigments on your palette and, using your palette knife, mix them with the medium to the desired color and consistency.

4. Paint your first layer. Take care that this is a thin layer so it will completely dry in a couple of days, allowing you to start your next layer.

5. Use the thinner to clean your brushes between colors. When you're done for the day, don't throw the thinner out; the pigment will settle to the bottom and you can use the thinner again by pouring it into another container, leaving the pigment behind.

6. Store your canvas somewhere safe, wash your brushes in thinner and then with soap and water, and discard medium if it's cloudy.

7. Use more oil and less thinner as a medium for subsequent layers. The last layer should be the "fattest," containing the most oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix your pigment a little brighter than you want; it will mellow slightly as it dries.
• Ultimately, an oil painting doesn't dry but rather cures. It's dry enough to touch after a week or two, dry enough to varnish in 6 months or so. However, experts don't consider a painting completely dry until about 60 years have passed.
• Remember that the thinner and medium are both flammable. Always use them in well-ventilated areas and far away from any ignition source.
• The paints and thinners are difficult to remove from clothing, carpet and floors. Cover your work surfaces and wear a smock to protect your clothing.

Resources

• Blick Art Materials has an excellent collection of paints, brushes and other supplies.