Oil Painting Tutorial

Materials Needed

• Oil paint set (basic colors)
• Canvas or canvas board
• Bristle brushes (various sizes)
• Palette
• Palette knife
• Linseed oil or painting medium
• Solvent for cleaning
• Paper towels

Basic Techniques

1. Color Mixing

Essential color mixing techniques:

• Start with small amounts of paint
• Mix colors on your palette thoroughly
• Create value scales with each color
• Understand warm and cool variations

2. Brush Techniques

Different ways to apply paint:

• Impasto - thick application
• Glazing - thin transparent layers
• Scumbling - broken color effect
• Blending - smooth transitions

3. Fat Over Lean

Important layering principle:

• Start with thinner paint layers
• Gradually increase oil content
• Allow proper drying time
• Build up texture gradually

Practice Exercise

Create a simple still life:

1. Sketch your composition
2. Block in basic shapes and values
3. Build up color layers
4. Add final details and highlights

Tips for Success

• Work in a well-ventilated area
• Clean brushes thoroughly
• Allow adequate drying time between layers
• Store paintings upright while drying