So you want to paint an Oil Painting? Ok, let’s go…. 

Ready? You’ve got your brushes, a blank canvas, and a dream to paint like the old masters and create your own masterpiece, but… where to start? Fear not! I’m here to guide you through the wonderful, messy, and magical process of creating your first oil painting. Let’s dive in, step by step, and make that canvas come to life!

Step 1: Prepare Your Canvas

Before you start painting, you need to prepare your canvas. Most pre-stretched canvases come pre-primed, but it’s always good to give the canvas one or two extra coats of Gesso. Just like a wall soaks up its first coat of paint, a canvas will do the same thing. What is Gesso? It is a white, chalky ‘paint’ substance that seals the canvas and gives your paint a nice surface to stick to. Brush it on, let it dry, and lightly sand it for a smooth finish. If you want an extra bit of ‘tooth’ then less sanding please!

Tip: You can tint your gesso with a bit of acrylic paint for a coloured base. This helps get rid of that “scary white canvas” syndrome.

Step 2: Sketch Your Composition

Grab a pencil, charcoal, or even a brush with diluted paint to sketch out your basic drawing (the diluted paint option is my preferred one as it can be easier to ‘push’ the paint around). Keep it light and loose—no need to go hyper-detailed here. This is just to map out where everything will go.

Playful Reminder: This is the “treasure map” stage—keep it fun, because your painting adventure starts now!

Step 3: Underpainting or Blocking In

I know what you really want to do is to start painting! My moto is “Well Begun Is Half Done”. So a good drawing comes first and then you can begin your underpainting—a thin, monochromatic layer of paint (I like to use either burnt sienna, raw or burnt umber….all transparent colours) that helps establish your values (lights and darks). Think of it as the plot of your painting. Use your mix of burnt sienna or raw/burnt umber with a little bit of medium (like linseed oil, liquin or low odour solvent) and keep it thin. Block in your basic shapes and shadows, and don’t worry about perfection; this is just the rough draft.

Tip: Use a rag to wipe away paint if you want to lighten areas—oil paint is super forgiving!

Step 4: Start Adding Colour

Now the real fun begins! Mix your paints and start layering on colour. Work from dark to light, thin to thick—this is crucial in oil painting. Begin with your darker tones and shadows, gradually building up to the lighter areas. This approach will give your painting depth and dimension.

Playful Note: It’s like layering a cake; if you start with the icing, things might get messy! Be patient.

Step 5: Focus on Details

Once your base colours are in place, it’s time to add details. This is where you can bring in those little nuances—crisp edges, highlights, and tiny textures or glazing (using transparent colours and linseed oil). Switch to smaller brushes if required, and don’t be afraid to spend time getting those details just right.

Tip: Use a small round or liner brush for details and a palette knife to add bold, textured strokes. The choice is yours!

Step 6: Let It Dry (And Then Layer Some More)

Oil paint doesn’t dry quickly, so patience is key. You can let the first layer dry (which could take a day or even a week, depending on how thick it is plus different paints have different drying times) and then add more layers. The beauty of oils is you can build and build, with each new layer creating depth and transparency.

Playful Tip: Drying time can be a blessing—step back, have a break, and let your masterpiece breathe!

Step 7: Final Touches and Highlights

Once you’re happy with your layers, it’s time to add final highlights. These bright, crisp accents are used to make your painting pop. Use the smallest brush for this step if required and use your highlight colour which could be white, yellow, or any light colour that suits your scene. Always keep your lightest lights for the very end..

Tip: Less is more with highlights. Too many and you lose their effectiveness!

Step 8: Varnish and Display

Before you share your masterpiece with friends etc., make sure it’s fully dry (really dry— which can take a few months). Then apply a coat of varnish to protect it and give it that glossy or satin finish, depending on your preference. This will make your colours pop and protect your painting from dust and damage. If your painting is touch dry, you can use a Retouching Varnish which allows the paint to continue to breath underneath without cracking.

Playful Reminder: You’ve done it! Now hang that painting where everyone can see it!

Congratulations you’ve created your very own oil painting!  Remember, every painting is a learning experience….some will turn out exactly as planned, while others might surprise you with happy accidents occurring and teaching some valuable lessons.

Best Tip. Do not put pressure on yourself to make every painting a success. The most important thing is to keep painting, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep having fun.

Happy painting! 🎨🖌️

Mary