If your new to oil painting, you don’t need a huge collection of supplies to get started. In fact, most beginners waste money buying too much at first.
Beginner Oil Painting Supplies Checklist:
The beginner oil painting supplies checklist shows you exactly what you need, what to avoid, and how to use each item so you can start painting right away.
- Beginner Oil Painting Set
Start with a limited palette instead of dozens of colors. A simple set helps you learn mixing faster.
Best Colors to Start With
- Titanium White ( must have in your set )
- Ultramarine Blue ( I prefer Halo Blue )
- Burnt Umber
- Cadmium Yellow Hue ( I prefer Yellow Ochre )
- Alizarin Crimson Hue
- Halo Green or Green
These colors can create a wide range of mixes.
If your looking for affordable oil paint brands that preform well, refer to: Affordable Oil Paint Brands for Beginners ( How to Check Pigment Quality )
2. Oil Painting Brushes
A few versatile brushes are better than a large cheap set. The brushes listed below are give you more options than I mentioned in my best brushes article.
Recommended Starter Sizes
- Flat Brush Size 6 or 8
- Filbert Brush Size 6 or 8
- Round Brush Size 2 or 4
These brushes will handle most beginner paintings.
If your looking for the best brushes for wet-on-wet refer to: Best Brushes for Wet-on-Wet Oil Painting for Beginners
3. Canvas or Painting Surface
Choose one of these beginner-friendly options:
- Canvas Panels
- Stretched Canvas (Recommended)
- Canvas Paper Pads
Canvas panels are often the best value for practice.
4. Palette
You need a surface for mixing colors. I use an old plate, works just fine to put and mix your colors.
Good options:
- Disposable palette pads
- Glass palette
- Wooden palette
5. Palette Knife
Useful for:
- Mixing paint
- Applying thick paint
- Creating texture
- Water edges
- Snow on mountains
- Details on trees
- Rock texture
6. Painting Medium
A medium helps paint flow and spread more easily.
Common beginner choices:
- Linseed Oil
- Walnut Oil
- Solvent-free painting medium
- Liquid Clear or Liquid White (This is my choice)
7. Brush Cleaner
To clean brushes after and during the painting process:
- Brush soap
- Odorless mineral spirits
- Natural brush cleaners
8. Paper Towels or Rags
Needed for wiping brushes, controlling paint, and cleanup.
Cleaning your brushes properly after every session will make them last much longer and save you money.
Read more: Beginner Oil Painting Supplies Checklist: What You Really Need to StartStep-by-Step: How to Start Your First Oil Painting
Once you have your supplies, follow this simple process to begin your first oil painting.
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Place your primed canvas on a stable surface or easel. Make sure you have good lighting and easy access to your paints and tools.
Step 2: Organize Your Palette
Lay out a small amount of each color, spacing them apart. This prevents accidental mixing and keeps colors clean.
Step 3: Use a Small Amount of Medium
If using linseed oil or liquid clear, brush on with a 2-inch brush a very small amount. Too much will make your paint difficult to control.
Step 4: Start with the 2-Inch Brush
Start with your 2-inch brush to lay down the foundation of the sky and the water. Start at the top of your canvas, using a cris cross pattern, usually going three quarters of the way down or as far as you want the sky to go. Then start at the bottom of the canvas to brush your water in, starting from the edge of the canvas and working the paint towards the center, from each edge, leaving just a little space between the sky and the water.
Step 5: Clean Brushes While Painting
Clean your brushes after working an area in your oil painting. After you lay in the sky and water clean the 2-inch brush, and you can start adding clouds and different colors to the sky. The reason you want to clean your brushes when switching colors is to avoid muddy results, plus it’s a good habit to get into. This will also add life to your brushes and save you money in the long run.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding these mistakes will save you time, frustration, and money.
- Using to many colors to soon
- Adding to much paint or medium
- Over blending colors until they look muddy
- Buying too many supplies at once
- Not cleaning brushes properly
Keep your setup simple and focus on learning.
What You Do Not Need
You do not need expensive or excessive supplies to start.
- Large paint sets with dozens of colors
- Professional grade paints (start with student grade or medium-priced small set with your basic colors) Always include Titanium White in your selection of colors.
- Too many brushes
- Expensive palettes or tools
- High-end canvases for practice (Purchase value packs are your best way to start)
Simple tools will help you learn faster.
Frequently Asked Questions:
“Still have questions? Our full guide answers the most common beginner concerns.”
What oil paints should beginners buy? Start with a limited palette using affordable, good quality beginner paints.
How many brushes do I need to start? 2-3 brushes (flat, round, filbert) are enough to start.
What size canvas is best for beginners? Start small (8×10 or 9×12). It’s easier to manage and learn on. Buy the value packs.
Do I need painting medium? It’s easier to apply a thin coat of linseed oil or liquid clear to the canvas before you lay any paint on the canvas. This will help you move the paint and blend the colors together. It also slows the drying time down so you can work on the painting longer.
Starting oil painting is about keeping things simple and learning the fundamentals. You don’t need a large setup-just a few reliable tools and consistent practice.
As your skills improve, you can expand your materials. Focus first on understanding how paint behaves and how to control your tools.
If you’re looking for affordable oil paints? Refer to: Affordable Oil Paint Brands
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