Understanding the Process of Oil Painting.
                     UNDERSTANDING THE 
PROCESS OF OIL 
PAINTING
Introduction
Oil paints are one of the most popular 
artistic mediums and for good reason. 
They are versatile, archival and 
economical.
But oil painting can be a struggle to pick 
up. There are some "rules" you need to be 
aware of and the techniques can take 
some time to become familiar with.
Source: drawpaintacademy.com
Why Oil Painting?
They are versatile. You can vary the drying time and consistency of your paint 
dramatically using paint thinners and additional oil. 
This allows you to work with a wide range of painting techniques, including blending, 
glazing and scumbling.
Source: drawpaintacademy.com
What Is Oil Paint?
Oil paint is comprised of ground-up colored pigment suspended in a drying oil, usually 
linseed oil. 
The quality of oil paint varies based on the quality of the pigment used, how fine the 
pigment is and the medium which is used.
Source: drawpaintacademy.com
Oil Painting Supplies
1. A range of small to large paintbrushes 
designed for oil painting. An easel.
2. A palette
3. A basic palette of paints
4. A surface to paint on
5. Odorless solvent
6. Linseed oil
7. Paper towel (for wiping your brushes)
Source: drawpaintacademy.com
PROCESS OF OIL 
PAINTING
STEP 1: Choosing a subject
Develop your hand on simple subjects, such as still life's. You can tackle more complex 
themes, such as portraits and landscapes, later on.
Use a photograph so you can work without having to watch the clock and, if you don't 
know how to draw, for tracing your model onto the medium.
Source: www.cansonstudio.com
STEP 2: Composition of painting
Find a leading thread tying the various 
aspects of a scene (lines, shapes, colors, 
light) into a consistent whole. 
Observe your subject, focusing on a detail 
or taking in the whole scene.
To do so, use a window cut out of 
cardboard or form a frame with your 
hands. If you are working from a photo, 
use strips of paper to reframe it.
Source: www.cansonstudio.com/
STEP 3: Preliminary drawing
This is more a "framing guide" than an 
exhaustive drawing. This is not a required 
step, but can prove quite useful when 
you're ready to start painting.
Sketch your subject on the medium with 
charcoal to keep your paint clean; or very 
lightly with a pencil, so it doesn't show 
through the paint; or with oils or acrylics, in 
a very neutral, diluted color.
Source: www.cansonstudio.com
STEP 4: Preliminary layer
For paint to adhere well and dry without cracking, you need to thinly apply a 
background. Use well-diluted paint and wait for it to dry before moving on to the next 
steps.
Source: www.cansonstudio.com
STEP 5: Applying layers of paint
Coloring a painting is done by superimposing layers. Start by adding areas of shadow 
and light, fill in large areas with color, then work patiently, laying on more and more 
intense layers of color.
Source: www.cansonstudio.com