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(of course they vary depending on what I am painting and is not a complete listing).

Titanium white, burnt sienna, burnt umber, pthalo blue, cerulean blue, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow hue, mars black (I prefer it over ivory black), yellow ochre, cadmium red deep, rose madder, Prussian blue, sap green.

Brushes:

Bristol or sables are the most widely used for oil painting. Sable is more expensive so you may want to try out the medium before investing too much money.

Medium:

This varies between artists as well. Mixing a medium with your oil paints changes the drying times and viscosity of the paint. When thinning the paint I often just use mineral spirits or turpentine as my medium but to achieve a higher sheen and when glazing I use a mixture of stand oil, damar varnish and turpentine. Some artists prefer linseed oil, poppy seed oil or other varieties. Try different mixtures to see what results you prefer.

Setting up your work area:

Make certain your work area is well ventilated! Remember, the vapors can be hazardous to your health if not properly ventilated.
Use drop cloths, plastic, etc to protect the flooring and walls from splattering.
Have a container nearby of your medium
Also have one containing your preferred paint thinner for cleaning your brushes (I use mineral spirits)
An old t-shirt or cloth for drying your brushes on.
Wear a smock or old clothes in case of splatters or other mishaps.

These are just the basics in learning to paint in oils. I do recommend studying the techniques of painting by several different artists. If you are not able to afford taking a class at a local art school or community college, try browsing the how-to section at your local library or watch some free online tutorials. Reading and watching is no match for experimentation. Remember, your best lesson is through trial and error. Good luck and happy painting!

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Brinkle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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