When I first started painting with oils, I had no idea what I actually needed. I’d walk into an art store, stare at the shelves of paints, brushes, and mediums, and leave more confused than when I arrived. There are so many options, and it’s easy to think you need everything right away—but trust me, you don’t! Over time, I figured out which supplies actually matter and which just collect dust. So, if you’re new to oil painting and don’t want to waste time (or money), here’s what you really need to get started.
All of this information (and more!) is part of my Oil Painting for Beginners Online Course which I'm so excited to share with you.
Paints
You don’t need a huge, expensive set to begin. A few well-chosen colours will do the trick! A good starter palette includes titanium white, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, and burnt umber. These colours mix beautifully and keep things simple.
Paints are often divided into three grades: student, artist and professional. Student-grade paints are more affordable and great for practice, but they often have less pigment and more filler, which can sometimes make the colours less vibrant. Artist and professional grade paints are more expensive but have richer pigments, which means better colour mixing and a smoother painting experience. If you're serious about painting, investing in a few artist-grade colours for your core palette can make a huge difference.
Brushes
I used to think I needed a whole set of fancy brushes, but honestly a couple will do the trick. Unlike when using acrylics or watercolours, artists working with oil paints often opt for natural bristle brushes in contrast to soft synthetics. Bristle brushes do a great job of holding large quantities of paint and naturally blend colours together because of their textured bristles. I recommend starting with large and medium flat or filbert brushes. Working with large brushes helps you to paint more loosely and gesturally which I think is critical in the early stages of learning to work with oils.
Solvents
Solvent is a must-have for cleaning your brushes and thinning your paint. Think of solvents as the equivalent of water to acrylics. Some common solvents include:
Odourless mineral spirits – A great option if you want something effective but low-odour.
Turpentine – A traditional but very strong-smelling option that some artists swear by.
Citrus-based solvents – A more natural alternative that’s less harsh but still gets the job done.
I personally use odourless mineral spirits because they work well without making your whole space smell like a chemistry lab. Plus, keeping your brushes clean helps them last way longer!
Medium (Linseed Oil)
Mediums can be added to your paints to change the way they behave - speeding up or slowing down drying time, adding texture, increasing blendability - you name it. I personally use linseed oil because it's easy to come by, affordable and can be used to dilute your paints for glazing or just to increase flow.
Here are some other mediums you might come across:
Walnut oil – Similar to linseed oil but dries a little slower, making it great for blending.
Liquin – A fast-drying medium that’s great for building up layers quickly.
Stand oil – A thicker version of linseed oil that helps create a smooth, glossy finish.
Canvas
Starting out, you don’t need to stretch your own canvases or get too fancy. A pre-stretched, primed canvas is perfect. If you’re just practicing, canvas boards or even gesso-primed paper work well too.
The Ultimate Beginner’s Kit (So You Don’t Have to Shop Around!)
I know how overwhelming it can be to gather all of these supplies, so I put together a kit with everything you need to get started. My Oil Painting for Beginners Kit includes an oil paint set, three great brushes, solvent, linseed oil, and a ready-to-use canvas. No more aimlessly shopping around—just open it up and start painting!
Learn How to Use Your Supplies in My Self-Paced Online Course
Once you’ve got your supplies, the next big question is: how do you actually use them? That’s exactly why I created my Oil Painting for Beginners Online Course!
I break down everything step by step—how to mix colours, apply paint, and create beautiful work—without any of the confusing jargon. You can go at your own pace and build your confidence as you paint.
So, if you’re ready to dive into oil painting, grab your Oil Painting for Beginners Kit and enrol in my self-paced course today!
Bình luận