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All About Oil Painting Techniques and Materials

All about oil painting -red apple

Already a seasoned oil painter? Share your oil painting techniques here.

Oil painting techniques often intimidate many beginners and they end up thinking that oil painting is difficult. But really, oil is very forgiving and lends itself to many interesting effects. Oil paints were invented around the 15th century.

Traditional, fine art oil paints are made by combining pigments with linseed oil (extracted from flax seeds). Oil paints quickly replaced egg tempera as the most popular artistic medium in Europe, and this popularity continues today.

Its versatility, wide range of available colors, and the brilliance of the colors (compared to egg tempera) are some of the reasons for its appeal.

I love the buttery consistency of oil paints. Because it dries slowly, I can take my time, correct mistakes, and plan my next step before I move on.

There are many techniques in oil painting. Try several before deciding which approach best suits your purposes. Following are articles on oil techniques and materials:

Oil Painting Techniques

Familiarize yourself with them so you can combine them to suit your needs.

A Bit of oil painting history: old master technique.

An explanation of the two main oil painting techniques: the Flemish and Venetian schools.

Learn the effect on the form and paint the light

You really can't get away from the tonal studies before you jump right into oil painting.

Direct painting aka wet-on-wet painting aka alla prima

Immediate and intense: my personal favorite technique.

Scumbling and Glazing

Learn these two techniques to use for special effects.

Scumbling and Semi-glazing for a softer look

A demo of these techniques using an oil sketch of William Bouguereau's angel.

How quick oil studies can sharpen your oil painting techniques.

I learned to paint alla prima fashion confidently through this simple and yet powerful practice. You can learn how to do it too.

How do you paint roses?

A step by step demo of showing you how to paint this beautiful subject matter.

7 simple steps to a landscape oil sketch from a photograph reference.

Learn the order of painting a landscape both for an oil sketch and a finished painting.

Learn how Claude Monet creates his painting.

Discover the impressionist approach to blending oil colors.

Oil brushes—the extension of your hands

Choose the right oil brushes for your painting.

How to care for your oil brushes so you can keep them for years

Helpful tips for getting organized

Start in the right direction and spare yourself from the agony later.

Water soluble oil paints

Here is a safe alternative which feels and paints like traditional oil paints so you can maintain the quality of your painting without compromising your health.

Try my recipe for making safe thinner without using harmful solvents

Concerned about the toxicity of mineral solvents? Learn to make your own thinning agent.

Learn a simple formula for home made medium

Can't find the medium you like from the art supply stores? Make your own and it's simple to do.

Put together a customized at-home workshop with a master artist!

It does not have to cost a lot to learn how to paint by yourself.

Do you also learn more through books and watching the art instructions in action? Click here for more resources.




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What others say about this site...

"Hi Connie,Your site is one of them I have looking for, a long time now. It is very informative and precise."

Lekha Praveen, India


"Connie - I am most appreciative of your website. Only recently have I begun fulfilling my dream of oil painting. With only a few lessons behind me, I am now on my own and your website contains the most comprehensive information in language and terms easily understood. I thank you for taking the time to put this valuable guide together."

Sharon Langford, USA

"I have been online plenty of time to try and find great advice from great artists (ones who are still alive), and I found that your website is very insightful. I am happy to see good positive tips and information for the consideration of artists seeking help. I just wanted to thank you for having this site."

Coby Bottoms, USA

"I found your website by searching Sargent. I have never left a message on other sites but feel compelled to compliment you on your website. It is freely giving in information and advice. The site is very responsive and easy to use because it is well laid out. The information is fresh,useful and positive. It probably took a while to plan and finalize but the effort is noticeable and worth it to me. I really enjoyed reading about Sargent whose technique both in oil and watercolor are what I want to see in my own work. Very, very good job. Thanks.

Jim Stallard-Halifax,Nova Scotia, Canada


"You don't know how many hours I spent searching and searching for "down to the point" instructions for using layers and glazes in oil painting. I was just so confused about the procedure. I am having problems beginning an oil painting. I just happened to google a certain word(which I can't recall anymore) and came across your site. I love the way you simplify the procedures and give examples and compare using words, like "almost like you add a VEIL to it." You seem like a natural instructor! Thank you, I learned so much and I am definitely bookmarking you site under my favorites!"

Beth Scott,USA



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