Oil painting dates back to the early civilization dating back somewhere between the fifth and ninth century.  However, it didn’t gain popularity until the fifteenth century.  Most of the early oil painting came from Afghanistan or European nations.  Some of the famous artists during this time frame include Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Rembrandt, and Vincent van Gogh.  These artists didn’t start off painting beautiful works of art from the start; they too were beginners just like you.  So what do you need to purchase in order to learn oil painting?

Canvas

There are several different types of canvases to choose from when you are starting to learn oil painting.  It is best to choose the type of canvas based upon the type of artwork that you are doing.  The different types include:

  • Stretched Canvas – Is a piece of canvas that is stretched over a wooden frame.  The stretching allows it to be prepared for framing and preservation.
  • Rolled Canvas – is canvas that has been rolled up.  It is often more affordable than the stretched canvas.
  • Canvas Boards – is primed cloth that covers a sheet of cardboard or pasteboard.  This is another cost effective alternative to stretched canvas.

It is best to experiment with different types of canvases in order to get the desired look for your oil painting. This is especially true when you are just beginning to learn oil painting.

Palette

A palette is used for mixing paints.  They come in all different shapes and sizes.  However, as a beginner a simple palette is fine while you learn oil painting.  As you become more experienced and being mixing more colors at a time, then you can upgrade to a larger palette or get a covered palette box.

Paint

As a beginner artist, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on paints in order to buy quality paints.  However, it is important for you to purchase the color palates that you are planning to use in your painting.  There are two types of oil paint available:

  • Pure pigment and Binder
  • Artificial pigment and Binder

There is a difference in the quality of the two paint types.  The pure pigments should be used for professional painting, while the artificial pigments would be more beginners while you learn oil painting.  The pure pigments are more permanent and this is why they would be used for professional artwork.

Turpentine

This product is necessary for cleaning the paint brushes but it also can be used as a paint thinner.  Be careful when using this product as it is flammable.

Paint Brushes

The brushes are the most important item that an artist needs and so it is essential to know how to choose them when you learn oil painting.  It is wise not to skimp on the brushes as they are the tool that helps you create quality paintings.  Brushes come in all different shapes and sizes.  The long handled brushes are ideal for oil painting as they allow you to be able to step back from the easel while you are painting and see what you are doing.  The smaller brushes work well on detailed work or small paintings.

Oil Painting Knives

The knives are used to mix paint.  They can also be used to apply the paint to the canvas or to add texture.  A painting knife is generally has a wooden handle and a metal blade.  Another advantage to a palette knife is it can be used to scrape the palate clean when there is hardened paint stuck to it.

Floor Covering

The paints can easily stain the flooring where you are working if some is accidentally dropped.  To prevent this from happening you should purchase a floor covering to protect your carpet or other flooring.  A tarp or drop cloth would work.

These are just some of the basic supplies that are needed to learn oil painting.  If you find yourself frustrated, take a small break and then come back to your artwork.  Also, the more you practice the painting techniques the better you will get.  I hope that you have found this article to be useful and provided you with the information that you needed to begin to learn oil painting.