6 of 14

Write now Article Tools

Oil painting is a very satisfying medium to work in. Oil paintings are colorful, luminous, and a joy to create. Oil paints offer a chance to fix your mistakes while painting and work on your painting over a long period of time at your own pace. Oil painting is a good hobby, no matter what your skill level is.

There are many types of materials you can paint on and for the beginner the easiest is canvas paper or primed canvas pads. They are inexpensive and will give you a good feel for the oil paints. You can paint on canvas boards but I stay away from these as they tend to warp with time, especially in humid climates. They are fine for practicing if used in the small sizes. As you progress you can paint on stretched canvas available in hobby stores or you can learn to stretch your own. Unless you are going to do a lot of paintings a year, you probably will want to buy the prestretched canvas.

Oil paints are sold in sets and usually this is the best buy. The only large tube you might need right away is white. There are several types of mediums, or materials used to thin your paint for glazes, and then you will need paint thinner for cleaning your brushes.

Brushes to start with should be inexpensive, so start with a set until you know what type you prefer. Brush preference is as varied as people are, so one person's favorite may not be used at all by another. Brushes are rinsed out with thinner and then washed gently in warm soap and water and dried so they will last for you.

There is one development that is truly wonderful and that is water soluble oil paints. I find this is a mystery but you get the same effect with these oil paints but you can clean up with plain old soap and water. They smell like oil paints, handle like oil paints but if you get them on the floor, they clean up without harsh thinners. They are wonderful and do not cost more than traditional oil paints if purchased from hobby stores online.

Having your materials purchased which is a little pricey compared to drawing, you can produce quite a few practice paintings before having to replenish your paint supply. Your brushes should last a long time with proper care. Proper care means wash them out each time you are finished with them.

You can begin by painting from photographs, setting up objects to paint, or by setting up an easel outdoors. You may find out by doing this what your favorite subjects are. After you find out what you would like to learn more about there are books available and workshops to be attended where you can meet other artists and hobbyists. Once you begin painting you will look at the world differently and you will see colors and shapes you may not have noticed before. There is no better way to connect with others and the world than through oil painting.

Learn more about this author, Brenda G. Koscelny.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Learning to oil paint?
We want to hear your view. Write now!