Essential Supplies for Getting Started in Oil Painting
So you want to learn to paint in oil?
So you want to learn to oil paint… welcome!
I’m in love with this medium, and am working on some resources where I teach you how to get started. However, that is a work in progress, and in the meantime I would love to share with you some things you can do right now to get used to the medium.
The Bare Essential Supplies
What are all those bottles for?
Paint, mediums, varnish, jars, palettes, canvasses… it’s all so much! But, it doesn’t have to be. The number one apprehension I hear from students is with the supplies. Here is a list of what I recommend at a minimum to get started. I won’t break them all down here, but I did make a Skillshare class where you can learn more about them.
Click Here for the Skillshare Class
Just give me the list already!
If you prefer to jump right in, here is what I recommend. You can get these supplies at local art and craft stores, Amazon, or (highly recommend) online wholesale art stores such as www.dickblick.com and www.jerrysartarama.com .
Gamblin 1980 (the student grade) Introductory Set of Oil Colors, 37 ml tubes ($51 at Jerry’s Artarama as of the time of this writing)
Gamblin Gamsol (Odorless Mineral Spirits) 16.9 oz bottle ($16 at Jerry’s)
Gamblin Solvent-Free Saflower Oil medium, 8.5 oz bottle ($13 at Jerry’s)
Brushes: For learning to oil paint, I recommend a sturdy synthetic brush of student or professional grade. I love the Princeton Catalyst line at Jerry’s for student work. They are a little pricey but resilient brushes. Here are some recommended sizes:
Round #4 ($9)
Round #8 ($17)
Flat #4 ($11)
Flat #10 ($22)
If these prices are outside your range, it’s fine to use lower quality brushes! Look for a set of varying sizes of rounds and flats. Creative Impressions has sets of 4-5 brushes in this category for about $15 a set ($3-4 a brush). They won’t last long, but they are great for trying oils!
Set of canvas boards or oil paper.
Canvas boards are usually really affordable and easier to work with. You can get a pack of 3 9”x12” “Yes All Media Canvas Panels” at Jerry’s or $13.
Oil paper (Arches) or canvas paper (Canson) is another option.
Optional: a glass or wood palette, or my favorite, 12”x16” Jack Richeson Gray Matters Palette Paper ($18 at Jerry’s, optional). *bigger is better! Opt for at least 12”x16”)
Plus a few things you probably have on hand:
Paper Towels
Empty mason jar (to hold mineral spirits)
Wax paper, tape, and a large flat surface (if you wish to forgo a palette)
Small empty glass baby food/yogurt jar as a container for oil
Dish soap for cleaning brushes (or Murphy’s Oil Soap, usually found on Amazon or your local grocery store)
Buying art supplies can be a hobby of its own, and I want you to get started with the most efficient set of supplies possible. If you stick to this list, you will spend between $120 - $170 to get started.
2. The Right Mindset
I wrote a blog post with a few recommendations of books that you may enjoy as you get started, but if you are short on time, this is what you need to know:
1. Celebrate the courage to just show up. You have already accomplished something by doing that.
2. Painting, like anything, is a journey. You can walk this journey your entire life! So, take it slow, and enjoy each time you see and learn more. You can do this!
3. The fear of “ruining” a blank canvas is something nearly all artists feel! When you feel inadequate, fearful, or unsure, know that is part of the process. Kindly escort those feelings away from your canvas and allow yourself to delight in the process.
3. Take Some Classes!
I am a strong supporter of learning from other artists. Find artists you admire and see if they teach. Take some classes from multiple artists! You may pick up new things from each of them and you will grow as an artist yourself.
I have a course available for the beginner oil painter, where I start at the beginning and give you the skills you need to get started. It is self paced and the goal for the course is to give you the basics of what you need to get started.