How to paint with oil paint?

Painting is the longest and most difficult job. He needs learning like a composer, but he also needs performance like a violin.

According to the OpinionWay polling institute, “ almost one in two English people has already visited a place or event related to contemporary art. Art is an activity that continues to please everyone. But who manages to pass the course of taking painting lessons to learn how to paint ?

Learning oil painting takes time and practice. Impasto, undercoat, first coat, cracks, here is all you need to know about oil painting to take the plunge.

Oil painting, its history and characteristics

Oil painting is a very special painting technique used by already experienced artists. Indeed, this technique is not always easy to implement. But what exactly does it correspond to?

Oil painting is a technique mixing pigments and drying oil (linseed or flaxseed oil) to form a paste that dries very slowly. This drying time then makes it possible to work and re-work the colors and shapes longer.

This is an excellent technique for artists who need to experiment before getting the final result.

But where does this special technique come from?

The invention of oil painting was granted to the Van Eyck brothers in the 15th century . However, this statement is still debated because several paints have already tried to mix pigments and oils a few years ago.

However, the Van Eyck brothers still had the idea of combining linseed and walnut oil and turpentine with pigments. This is how they create a paint that resists water and takes time to dry.

Oil painting actually takes a long time to dry and what makes it so special. But drying is not really the right word since the paint hardens, it does not dry.

The thicker the dough, the longer it will take to harden. This can range from a few weeks to a few months, or even several years for the thickest paintings. In some circumstances, some paintings may never dry out.

It is rather advisable to paint in thin layers. Otherwise, the top layer stays cool while the surface hardens. This is how paintings can crack over time .

Defects that can be seen on some paintings, even among the greatest painters.

One of the other great characteristics of oil painting is its shine due to the oil used. All paintings painted with oil paint are more or less shiny depending on the amount of oil used.

Oil painting is often used to paint landscapes, still lifes or portraits. It is used on synthetic fabrics or linen fabrics. Most of the time, these are very elaborate and time-consuming compositions .

The artists paint several layers and come back to details several times. It is a technique for patient and meticulous artists.

How to use oil paint?
Do you already have a few years of art techniques and want to throw yourself into oil painting? Or have you just started and have ambition?

Are you tired of colored pencils, Indian ink, watercolor paint, acrylic paint , dry pastels, gouache, graphite pencil and other techniques?

Oil painting requires you to follow a few specific steps to prevent your painting from becoming cracked .

To reproduce Van Gogh, Picasso, Braque, Rembrandt, De Vinci, or other great masters, here is what you need to remember to use oil paint. Abstract painting, impressionist canvases, it's your turn!

Paint according to the rule of "fat over lean"
You may have never heard of one of the most important rules of the oil painting technique: fat over lean.

What does it consist of?

Fat over lean is a way of painting, being careful to always superimpose a more oily layer ( that is to say with a large part of oil, therefore of paint ) than the previous one . If this rule is not followed, the painting risks aging badly.

In fact, the surface hardens faster than the underlayers because it is directly in contact with air. What makes your canvas dry in appearance but not in depth. The siccativation process must therefore be perfectly respected if you want your masterpiece to go through time.

Respect the drying time
In the process, and for the “fat on lean” technique to work, it is imperative to allow the canvas time to dry.

As explained earlier, just because the surface is dry doesn't mean your canvas is ready. Between each layer, it is important to respect 2 to 3 weeks of drying .

A technique which is therefore not recommended for the impatient!

Follow the traditional method
The traditional technique of oil painting takes several weeks to finally reach the final result.

When I took painting lessons, my drawing and painting teacher reminded us each time of the importance of waiting between the different layers. However, it sometimes happened that my paintings cracked because we only had a week of waiting between two lessons.

To start, you have to develop a first drawing and then reproduce it on a canvas using charcoal for example.

Once the drawing placed on the canvas, it is then necessary to use a single color diluted in the essence of turpentine in order to iron all the lines made with charcoal. This anchors the pattern in the canvas. You can also take the opportunity to set up a light show.

The colors can then be applied, but always respecting the “fat on lean” rule and the drying time required. You can repaint on it almost as many times as you want.

I have personally learned to apply 3 layers of colors. The first was used to lay the first basic colors. The second layer allows you to work on the whole work and get as close as possible to the final result. The last layer is used to specify some details so that the canvas is perfect.

Some people then decide to use glazes to improve colors. Up to you !



Painting according to the alla prima method
Over time, the painters decided that they were tired of waiting for their canvas to dry. This is why the alla prima technique recommends painting in one and only time .

However, the painter must be sure of himself since the single layer is already quite oily and will not be able to support a new fatty layer without cracking.

What accessories to buy for oil painting?
Learning to draw requires some equipment. But which ones to use for the special technique of oil painting?

Drawing course, painting course, art workshop, private lessons, sometimes the teachers can lend you equipment. However, if you want to practice oil painting on a regular basis, it may be worth investing in the basic equipment.

Buy support
On what to paint a work in oil?

While for good online drawing lessons , good old Canson paper is widely recommended, what about oil painting?


Although some papers are made for oil painting, they still change shape due to the pressure of the paint drying.

To paint in oil, it is recommended to acquire a canvas . The most common is to use a canvas on a frame . This type of canvas allows you to easily hang your canvas when you are done, but also allows you to tighten the fibers (cotton, linen or synthetic).

Get oil paint
If you have just started in the practice of oil painting, turn instead to already developed paint boxes . They will allow you to get a first idea of the quality of the paint without getting tangled in the brushes ( without bad puns ) among all kinds of paint.

In any case, be aware that there are obviously differences in quality. This is affected by the concentration of pigments found in each tube. Be aware that the extra fine contains more pigments than the fine .

Do not hesitate to ask advice in an art store or your painting teacher.

Buy brushes
Although one might think that a single brush is enough to paint, this is not the case. The quality of the brush can vary depending on the bristles used but also the length of its handle.

There are many kinds of brushes out there, and choosing the right one is almost as important as painting well. Natural, synthetic, soft, brushed, round, mongoose, badger hair, all tastes are in nature.

Get more information about our services at Claude Monet Paintings

Start by testing the most classic brushes with fairly short bristles and a long handle. This allows painting while taking a step back, which is very useful on a large canvas.

Do not forget to get a solvent (turpentine or White Spirit) to dilute or remove all the oil from the brush. Do not finish cleaning it with soap and water.

Use an easel
We often forget it but the easel is essential to paint in good conditions. It allows you to stand or sit in front of your work rather than bending over it.

They come in all sizes and shapes. Treat yourself!

You don't necessarily need an easel to draw in pastels

I am now going to art school and we are just studying the work of various outstanding artists. Most of all, I like to paint with acrylic, although I understand that Claude Monet painted with oil paints. But acrylic seems brighter and more lively. I even bought the necessary brushes on purpose thanks to a review of the best of them.