Let's Get Started!

Prep:

Get yourself set-up with all your supplies accessible (palette not shown).

Warning: Oil paint somehow manages to get on everything. Cover anything you don't want painted (ie. your carpet) with plastic sheet. Even with an apron, you may still get it on your clothes... good luck getting it out.

An image of many different art supplies together — Jumble of Painting Supplies
(Go back to list)

Step 1:

Paint your blank canvas with 2 layers of Gesso (allow time to dry between layers).

Use sand paper to smooth each layer out if your don't want any texture to start.

A blank canvas on an easel — This is a poor quality canvas, made poorer by a dog jumping on top of it in the car. BUT it's cheap and fine to start out with

What you need to know about oil paint:

Oil paint produces rich paintings with depth and range due to light reflecting off of many layers of paint. It travels through layers rather than reflecting off of the surface layer.
This means we'll be working with lots of layers!
Oil paint takes forever to dry, if you wants to continue blending/mixing layers, apply al fresco.
For clean, seperate layers, apply al secco.

Step 2:

Choose a color to paint your canvas with! This base layer will affect the tone of your painting on top.

Use your Gamsol to thin this layer across your entire canvas.

I then like to layout my painting, finding the space for various elements in my composition (you can also map it out on your canvas first with charcoal)

Base layers of paint on a canvas to start my painting — Base coat of paint with visual space mapping

Step 3:

Go at it! Start mixing and smearing that paint on the canvas. Use any tools you want to apply the paint, get creative!

Quick Guide for Mixing Mediums
Name	Application	Effect
Gamsol	Mix with paint before applying	Thins paint, making it more translucent, less texture. Accelerates dry time.
Liquin	Mix with paint before applying	Thickens paint, adds depth to colors, adds texture. Accelerates dry time.
Linseed/Walnut Oil	Mix with paint before applying	Thins paint, less/smoother texture. Takes longer to dry.

How do I know when I'm done?!
This is a common artist's dillema...

Here's my advice, ask yourself, "Have I done enough to effectively represent my subject(s)?" and "Have I conveyed my intended meaning?"

If you answer "yes," then congrats! If you answer "no," then keep at it! OR just quit there, congrats you finished!

Finished oil painting of a girl riding a horse in the clouds — Finished surrealism oil painting (different painting than the Base Layer Example)

You're an Artist!

But which one are you?!

The Scream by Edward Munch — by Edward Munch. Painted in 1893 on cardboard!

Which Famous Painter are You? Take the Quiz!