What is oil paint?

Oil paint is just pigment + oil, usually linseed oil. That’s it! It is as simple as that. All paints are a mix of colour particles (pigment) suspended in something sticky (binder) - in oils, that binder is oil.

What makes oil paint different?

Oil paint shares a lot of qualities with other paints - especially heavy-body acrylics. But here are the main ways oil paints differ:

• Not Water Soluble: Oils require something stronger to thin paint and clean brushes. Note: Special water-mixable oil paints do exist!
• Long Dry Time: Oils dry through oxidation - not evaporation like other paints. This is a slow chemical process of hardening that takes an average of 6 months! A painting may ‘feel’ touch dry a lot earlier (a few days/weeks).
• More techniques: The long dry time & versatility of oils means there are more techniques possible than other paint.
• Accurate Colours: Unlike acrylics, which dry a shade or 2 darker & can shift in hue, oils look the same after they dry. Oils have a buttery consistency, but they can become less shiny as they dry - this is why a glossy varnish is quite popular.
• Higher Pigment Load: Oil paints have a higher pigment load than other paints making them more vibrant & more expensive.
• Timeless: Acrylics have been around since the 50s - oils have been around about 600+ years. That’s a lot of oil painting techniques, history, and scientific study to draw from.

How to use Oil Paint

Oil painting has the reputation of being complex and inaccessible. But you can literally squeeze it from the tube, grab a brush & start painting! All you technically need is soap & water to clean your brushes.

BUT … there are 2 main reasons most artists don’t paint this way & choose to add other materials to their oil paint:

1. To clean brushes quickly during painting.
2. To change how the paint feels, dries, or looks.

These extra materials fall into two categories: Solvents and Oil Mediums.

Solvents

Solvents are used like water in acrylics - to thin paint or clean brushes.
Recommended: Gamsol (slow-evaporating, low-odour)

Dirty solvent is reusable! Just let paint settle at the bottom overnight and pour the clean solvent on top into a new jar. Don’t breathe it in - keep the lid closed and work in a ventilated space.

Safety note: Solvents release vapours - ventilate your space or go solvent-free.

Oil Mediums

These are liquid or gel oils that change the texture, sheen, or drying speed of your paint. They’re used a little bit like gels and mediums with acrylic painting.
Recommended: Linseed oil, or an alkyd oil like Galkyd or Liquin.

You can also use them to clean brushes as a safer alternative to solvent (great for home studios or bedrooms).

Safety note: Oil-soaked rags can spontaneously combust!

Oil Paint Safety - Don’t Panic!

Oil painting is totally safe when you follow a few basic habits.

Using solvents safely

• Use in a ventilated space (open window or air purifier)
• Avoid fast evaporating solvents like turpentine
• Keep jars sealed when not in use
• Go solvent-free if you’re in a small or poorly ventilated space

Using oil mediums safely

Oily rags generate a heat reaction when they dry, especially in the folds!

• Let oily rags dry flat (never balled up and thrown in trash)
• Store in a sealed fire-safe metal container like a cookie tin until fully dry, then dispose in the trash

Other safety tips

• Wear gloves or wash hands well
• Don’t eat with paint on your hands
• Read safety labels (some pigments are toxic if ingested)

The 3 Rules of Oil Painting (for layering)

The three rules of oil painting are taught to prevent future cracking when painting in layers. If you paint over a layer of dry oil paint, keep in mind:

1. Fat paint over lean paint (more oily paint over less oily paint)
2. Thick over thin
3. Slow-drying over fast-drying

Make sure you add a bit more oil medium into your paint with every new layer, & save thick, slow-drying brushstrokes for the end of your painting. These rules help make sure every layer is more flexible than the last to prevent cracking over time. Don’t get hung up on these rules - just keep them in the back of your mind!

Cleanup

Here’s how to clean your brushes:

1. Wipe excess paint out of the brush onto a rag/paper towel
2. Use either a solvent OR oil medium to dilute the paint on the brush & wipe onto a paper towel/rag until the liquid runs clear
3. At the end of the painting session, wash the brush in warm water with brush cleaning soap or mild dish soap

Painting Techniques

Painting with oils can be a bit different - here are my main tips:

1. Avoid muddy colours: Oils don’t dry during your painting session - so every brushstroke blends into the previous one. Add confident brushstrokes & transitional shades rather than overworking the paint. If in doubt, use a paper towel or palette knife to wipe paint off and try again.
2. Keep it simple: Stick to the overall value and form - don’t worry about detail. Avoid adding too much solvent or medium.
3. Try oil over acrylics (not the other way around): Oil paints can be added on top of acrylic paints and primers (like gesso) - the best of both worlds.
4. Have a plan: Work dark to light, general to specific, or background to foreground.
5. Be bold: Don’t be afraid of adding paint to the canvas and exploring the medium fully and freely - it’s the only way to learn!

Varnishing Your Painting

Varnishing an oil painting helps protect the surface and enhances the depth of the colours. Before varnishing, make sure your painting is completely dry - it’s recommended to wait the average 6 months, depending on how thick the paint is. When it’s ready, use a soft, clean, wide brush to apply a thin, even layer of varnish made specifically for oil paintings such as Gamvar Gloss. Work in a clean, dust-free, and well-ventilated space, and place the painting flat while it dries to avoid drips or dust settling.

Resources

Here are some more free resources where you can learn more about oil painting:

1. My social media is full of free tips for artists: @dorisroseart (TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook Page)
2. Website blogs of oil paint brands and art material stores (eg Winsor and Newton, Gamblin, Jacksons Art, Natural Pigments and more)
3. Wet Canvas blogs

Have fun!! Oil painting is a lot more accessible than people give it credit for & it is so much fun to try!