Starting Oil Painting

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  • Beginner Oil Painting Supplies Checklist: What You Really Need to Start

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    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 including brushes canvas palette mineral spirits paints and linseed oil setup

    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.

    1. 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 Start

    Step-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

  • Affordable Oil Paint Brands for Beginners: Lower Cost Without Sacrificing Quality

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Many beginners want to save money when starting oil painting. That makes sense because supplies can add up quickly. However, choosing the lowest-priced paint is not always the best option.

    From experience, poor quality paint can be harder to blend, weaker in color, and more frustrating to use. A better approach is choosing affordable oil paint brands that still offer dependable quality and satisfying results.

    This guide covers beginner-friendly oil paint brands that balance price and performance.

    Why Quality Paint Matters for Beginners

    When learning oil painting, materials can affect the entire experience. Better paints usually have smoother texture, stronger pigment, and more consistent handling.

    That helps beginners focus on learning instead of struggling with poor supplies.

    Quality beginner paint can help with:

    • Smoother blending
    • Stronger color
    • Easier brush control
    • Better mixing results
    • More enjoyable painting sessions

    Affordable Does Not Mean Low Quality

    Many painters assume they must choose between expensive professional paint or the cheapest paint available. In reality, there is a middle ground.

    Several trusted brands make affordable beginner oil paints designed to keep costs lower while still delivering solid performance.

    These are often the smartest starting point for new painters.

    Best Affordable Oil Paint Brands for Beginners

    1. Winsor & Newton Winton

    One of the most trusted beginner oil paint lines available.

    Why it stands out:

    • Reliable consistency
    • Good color range
    • Easy to find online and in stores
    • Strong beginner reputation

    A dependable choice for painters who want quality at a fair price. Check out this beginner set.

    2. Gamblin 1980

    A respected line known for smooth handling and strong value.

    Best for:

    • Serious beginners
    • Better blending performance
    • Learning layering techniques

    Check out this set. (Gamblin is Artist Grade Oil Paint.)

    3. Van Gogh Oil Colors

    Popular for bright color and dependable texture.

    Good for:

    • Students
    • Hobby painters
    • Practice work

    Great starter kit basic colors.

    4. Grumbacher Academy

    More of an Artist Grade Oil Paint. Higher in price, also higher in pigment quality and smoothness.

    Good for:

    • Brush control practice
    • Color studies
    • Budget-conscious beginners

    Check this set out for learning.(Higher in price and quality if that’s what you want to try first)

    5. Mont Marte Oil Paints

    An entry-level option for painters on a tighter budget.

    Best for:

    • Trying the hobby first
    • Casual painting
    • Starter kits

    Recommend for beginners this set has plenty of colors and all the qualities you need. Great price for this set.

    What to Avoid in Very Low-End Paint

    Some ultra-budget paints may save money upfront but create frustration later.

    Watch for:

    • Weak pigment strenth
    • Chalky texture
    • Poor coverage
    • Difficult blending
    • Inconsistent tube quality

    A few dollars saved is not always worth a disappointing painting experience.

    How to Check Oil Paint Quality (Beginner Guide)

    Pigment Quality Matters More Than Brand Name:

    Not all paints are created equal. As a beginner, you do not need the most expensive paint-but you do need paint with decent pigment strength and consistency.

    Here’s how to check:

    1. Look at the Pigment Code

    • Found on the tube (example: PB29, PR108)
    • Avoid paints with multiple codes like: PB29+PR108+PW6

    Single pigment paints mix cleaner and are easier to learn with.

    What do Pigment Codes Like PB and PR Mean

    Oil paint tubes often include a pigment code made of letters and numbers. This tells you exactly what pigment percentage is inside the paint.

    How to Read It

    Each code has two parts:

    • Letters=Color Family
    • Numbers=Specific Pigment

    Common Examples:

    Code Meaning Color

    PB29 Pigment Blue 29 Ultramarine

    PR108 Pigment Red 108 Cadium Red

    What the Letters Mean:

    • PB=Blue Pigment
    • PR=Red Pigment
    • PY=Yellow Pigment

    And so on for each main color.

    Why This Matters (Very Important for Beginners in Oil Painting)

    Two paints might have different names but be the same pigment.

    Example:

    • Ultramarine Blue=PB29
    • Another brand’s Ultramarine=PB29

    That means they will mix and behave almost the same. It will be safe to mix them. It’s best practice to keep the same brands together to finish the original painting you started.

    Beginner Rule:

    • Choose paints with 1 pigment only (example: PB29)
    • Avoid paints with multiple codes like: PB29+PR108+PW6

    Single pigment paints mix cleaner and are easier to learn with. If the tube says (Hue), always check the pigment code-this tells you what your actually getting.

    Transparent vs Opaque Oil Paint (What it Means for Beginners)

    Oil paints are not all the same when it comes to how they cover the canvas. Some paints block what’s underneath, while others let layers show through.

    Opaque Paint (Covers Everything Underneath)

    Opaque paints are thick and solid. They completely cover previous layers.

    Example:

    • Titanium White (PW6)
    • Cadmium Red (PR108)

    Best for beginners because:

    • Easier to fix mistakes
    • Strong coverage
    • Good for highlights and solid shapes

    Opaque goes on and covers what’s below.

    Transparent Paint (Lets Layers Show Through)

    Transparent paints are thinner and allow underlying colors to show through.

    Example:

    • Alizarin Crimson
    • Ultramarine, Blue (can be semi-transparent)

    Used for:

    • Glazing (thin layers over dry paint) glazing will be covered in an upcoming article.
    • Depth and richness
    • Shadows

    Semi-Transparent (In Between)

    Some paints fall in the middle:

    • Not fully covering
    • Not fully see-through

    These are flexible but less predictable for beginners.

    How to Tell on the Paint Tube

    Most brands use symbols:

    • Solid square=Opaque
    • Empty square=Transparent
    • Half solid half empty square=Semi Transparent

    Check the back of the tube or label.

    Beginner Rule (Keep It Simple)

    Start with mostly opaque paints especially:

    • Titanium White
    • Earth Tones (Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre)

    Then slowly experiment with transparent colors later.

    Why This Matters

    If you don’t understand opacity:

    • Colors will look muddy
    • Layers won’t behave the way you expect
    • Fixing mistakes becomes harder

    Best Buying Strategy for Beginners

    Instead of buying a giant low-end paint set, choose a smaller set from a trusted brand.

    A few dependable colors will teach more than many weak colors.

    Recommended Starter Colors

    A simple beginner palette includes:

    • Titanium White
    • Ultramarine Blue
    • Burnt Umber
    • Yellow
    • Red

    These colors can mix a wide range of useful tones.

    Remember to always pre-coat your canvas with Gesso if it’s not already coated. Most canvases come pre-coated with Gesso. It’s always good to have some on hand. Gesso to repair canvases.

    Affordable oil paints can be an excellent choice for beginners when quality is still part of the decision. Lower cost should not mean sacrificing the performance that helps you learn and enjoy painting.

    If your still gathering materials, see Beginners Oil Painting Supplies Check List: Everything You Need to Start in 2026

  • Best Brushes for Wet-on-Wet Oil Painting for Beginners

    Choosing the right brushes can make wet-on-wet oil painting much easier for beginners. The wet-on-wet technique uses liquid clear or medium to help the flow of paint on the canvas. This is usually done with a 2 inch brush. The medium or liquid clear is applied with a thin layer just to wet the canvas. If to much is used the paint will be to thin and will run. Having a few useful brushes matters more than owning a large collection. You do not need expensive brushes or dozens of shapes to get started.

    With the right basic brush set, beginners can blend skies, shape mountains, paint trees, and create soft backgrounds without frustration.

    Learn more about the wet-on-wet technique.

    What Makes a Good Wet-on-Wet Brush?

    Brushes for this style should be:

    • Firm enough to move paint easily
    • Soft enough to blend colors smoothly
    • Comfortable to hold for longer sessions
    • Durable enough for repeated cleaning
    • Large enough to cover space quickly

    Natural bristle and quality synthetic brushes can both work well. Natural bristle brushes are the ones I prefer.

    The Best Brushes Beginners Should Start With

    1. Two-Inch Flat Brush

    A two-inch flat brush is one of the most useful tools for wet-on-wet painting. It works well for:

    • Painting skies
    • Blending clouds
    • Covering backgrounds
    • Softening large areas
    • Used in mountain making

    This is often one of the first brushes many beginners should buy. You will be using this brush probably more than any other brush in your paintings. I prefer brushes by Bob Ross, with proper care they will last a very long time.

    2. One-Inch Flat Brush

    A one-inch brush gives more control than a larger brush. It is useful for:

    • Smaller skies
    • Water reflections
    • Mid-size blending
    • Edges and transitions
    • Some trees
    • Brush and bushes
    • Grassy areas

    Its a strong second brush and highly recommended for beginners.

    3. One-Inch Round Brush

    A one-inch round brush helps with detail work and natural shapes. Also used for:

    • Highlight trees
    • Bushes
    • Grass
    • Background landscape areas
    • Fog and mist
    • Foam on waves

    A medium round brush is a smart starting size.

    4. Fan Brush: For beginners doing wet-on-wet oil painting, a fan brush size #4 or #6 is usually the best place to start.

    Best Beginner Choice

    #6 Fan Brush

    Best all-around size because it can handle:

    • Trees
    • Brushes
    • Grass
    • Soft Clouds
    • Water Highlights
    • Blending Edges
    • Water Falls

    #4 Fan Brush

    Good if you paint on smaller canvases like:

    • 8×10
    • 9×12
    • 11×14

    Gives a little more control for detail work.

    If buying only one get a #6 natural bristle brush. Cheap fan brushes that are too floppy can be frustrating to paint with. A medium-firm bristle fan brush works best for wet-on-wet.

    If you are interested in learning more about brushes, be sure to read my main guide. The Only Brushes You Really Need to Start. It explains the basic brushes that can handle most beginner oil painting techniques, including wet-on-wet.

  • Wet-on-Wet vs Traditional Oil Painting: Which Is Better for Beginners?

    Beginners often wonder whether tov start with wet-on-wet or traditional layered oil painting. Both methods work, but one is usually easier for first-time painters.

    What is Wet-on-Wet Painting?

    Painting on a canvas that is first layered with a medium or a liquid white or liquid clear. This is applied with a very small amount of liquid to cover the entire canvas. This technique makes it easier to move the paint and helps with blending. In addition it gives you time to finish the painting in one session or come back a few days later and pick up where you left off.

    What Is Traditional Oil Painting?

    This technique usually involves waiting for the paint to dry before adding layers on top. This technique is often used by advanced artists. Its a longer process, involving more detail in the painting.

    Why Wet-on-Wet is Better for Beginners?

    • Faster results
    • Easier blending
    • Faster results
    • Excellent for landscapes
    • Great way to learn basic skills

    When Traditional Painting is Better

    • Fine detail
    • Portraits
    • Layer control
    • Advanced methods

    For most beginners, wet-on-wet is the easier and more enjoyable place to start. The brushes you can use for wet-on-wet.

    Learn more in Why the Wet-on-Wet Technique Is a Great Way for Beginners to Start Oil Painting

  • How to Start an Oil Painting: Why the Top-to-Bottom Method Is Easier for Beginners

    sky painted on top half of canvas on easel showing the first step of starting an oil painting, after the liquid clear is applied to the canvas. a soft blue sky with white clouds

    Starting your first oil painting can feel confusing. Many beginners know what they want to paint, but they are not sure where to begin on the canvas. One of the easiest methods to learn is the top-to-bottom approach.

    This simply means starting near the top of the canvas and working your way downward. It is a method many artists use because it helps keep the painting cleaner, easier to organize, and simpler to remember step by step.

    Why the Top-to-Bottom Method Helps Beginners

    When you start at the top of the canvas, the painting usually follows a natural order. This can make the entire process easier.

    Benefits include:

    • Less chance of smudging wet paint with your hand
    • Easier to remember what comes next
    • Helps create natural background-to-foreground depth
    • Keeps the painting process more organized
    • Reduces beginner frustration

    If you start at the bottom first, you may find yourself reaching upward through wet paint and accidentally smearing areas you already finished.

    A Simple Example: Landscape Painting

    A landscape is one of the best examples of how the top-to-bottom method works. You can paint in this order:

    1. Sky
    2. Clouds
    3. Mountains
    4. Fog or Mist
    5. Distant trees
    6. Foreground trees or hills
    7. Water, grass, rocks, or final details

    Each layer builds naturally on the one before it.

    How to Start With the Sky

    The sky is often a smart place to begin because it sets the mood and colors of the painting.

    A beginners friendly method:

    • Apply your main sky color first, such as halo blue with your 2 inch brush using a criss cross pattern working your way from the edge of the canvas inward
    • Leave some white canvas where clouds may go
    • You may also want to add some warm tones like yellow, orange, or red to the areas you left white in the sky
    • Blend outward with the same brush, avoid blending to much or you will lose the affect
    • Clean your 2 inch brush and dry it well, brush very lightly across the paint to soften transitions

    After the sky is complete, you can move to clouds and then the next layer below.

    Why This Method Creates Better Depth

    When you work from top to bottom, it often matches how many scenes are naturally viewed.

    Farther objects are usually higher and farther back:

    • Sky
    • Mountains
    • Distant trees

    Closer objects often come later:

    • Foreground trees
    • Distant fields of grass or rocky shore line
    • Water
    • Grass and rocks with more detail as you work your way down the canvas
    • Detail work

    This helps beginners understand distance, depth, and layering more easily.

    Does Every Artist Paint This Way?

    No. Many skilled artists use different methods. Some block in shapes first. Others move around the canvas. There is no single correct way to paint. However for beginners, the top-to-bottom method is one of the easiest systems to learn because it keeps the process simple and organized.

    Final Thoughts

    If you are new to oil painting, starting at the top of the canvas and working downward can make painting much easier and produce a nice finished product. It helps prevent smudging, gives you a structured order to follow, builds depth and gives you a feel on how everything comes together to complete a finished product.

    As you gain experience, you may want to develop your own style and process. But for many beginners, top-to-bottom is a smart way to start.

  • Why Wet-on-Wet Is the Best Way for Beginners to Start Oil Painting

    oil paint brush blending wet blue and yellow paint together on canvas creating green
    “This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you.”

    Preparing the Canvas

    Before starting a wet-on-wet painting, you’ll want to apply a very thin coat of liquid clear or liquid white to the canvas. These mediums keep the surface slick so the paint glides on and blends easily. Apply it in a thin layer — just enough to wet the canvas. If you use too much, the paint turns runny and drips.

    Liquid Clear

    Liquid clear is the one I reach for most. It:
    Keeps colors strong and vibrant
    Doesn’t lighten the paint
    Works well for landscapes where you want deeper, richer color

    1. Liquid White

    Liquid white does the same job but with a different effect. It:
    Lightens colors slightly
    Makes blending skies and clouds easier
    Works great when you’re painting bright skies


    If you’d rather start with this one,check today’s price:

    My advice? Start with liquid clear. But it’s your call — try both and see which one you like better. They also make a liquid black if you want to experiment down the road.

    The Brushes and Tools You Actually Need

    One of the best things about the wet-on-wet method is that you don’t need dozens of brushes to get started. Personally, I only use a select few in any of my paintings, and most landscapes can be painted with just a handful of basic tools. Having a few good brushes matters far more than owning a big collection.
    A good wet-on-wet brush should be firm enough to move paint, soft enough to blend smoothly, comfortable to hold, and durable enough to handle repeated cleaning. Natural bristle and quality synthetic brushes can both work — natural bristle is what I prefer.
    Here are the six tools I actually reach for:

    2. Two-Inch Brush

    • This is the workhorse. You’ll probably use it more than any other brush you own. It’s great for:
    • Painting skies
    • Blending clouds
    • Covering backgrounds and large areas
    • Softening large sections
    • Helping shape mountains
    • I prefer the Bob Ross brushes — with proper care they last a very long time. Here’s the link:

    3. One-Inch Brush

    • The one-inch gives you more control than the two-inch. It’s a strong second brush and highly recommended for beginners. Use it for:
    • Smaller skies
    • Water reflections
    • Mid-size blending
    • Edges and transitions
    • Trees, bushes, and grassy areas
    • Grab the link here:

    4. One-Inch Oval Brush

    • A round brush helps with detail work and natural shapes. It’s what I use for:
    • Highlighting trees
    • Bushes and foliage
    • Grass
    • Background landscape areas
    • Fog, mist, and foam on waves
    • A One-Inch oval is a smart starting size. Here’s the link:

    5. Fan Brush

    The fan brush is the fun one — it’s what gives you trees, clouds, grass, and water. A #6 is the best all-around size for beginners because it can handle trees, bushes, grass, soft clouds, water highlights, blending edges, and waterfalls.


    One honest tip from experience: don’t buy the cheapest fan brush, but don’t go too stiff either. The cheap floppy ones are frustrating to paint with, and a board-stiff brush fights you. I like a fan brush with a little flex to it — enough give to feather clouds and treetops softly. A medium natural-bristle #6 is the sweet spot.
    Here’s the link:

    Palette Knife

    • A palette knife isn’t a brush, but it’s one of the most useful tools in wet-on-wet painting. I use it for:
    • Mixing colors on the palette
    • Shaping mountains and rocks
    • Adding rock texture
    • Laying in bright water highlights
    • The knife lets you get sharp edges and thick texture that a brush just can’t. Here’s the link:

    6. 3/4-Inch Flat Brush

    • This little brush handles the fine work. It’s my go-to for:
    • Detail blending
    • Making rocks
    • Adding highlights on rocks and small features
    • When you want control in a tight spot, this is the one you reach for. Here’s the link: 3/4-inch flat brush I recommend.

    With just these six tools, a beginner can complete an entire landscape painting — from the sky right down to the rocks and highlights. If you’re buying a few at a time, start with the two-inch and the fan brush. Those two alone will get you painting skies, clouds, and trees on day one, and you can add the rest as you go.

    If you want to know the difference between wet-on-wet and traditional oil painting, go to: Wet-on-Wet vs Traditional Oil Painting: Which Is Better for Beginners?

    If your style isn’t wet-on-wet, here are some recommendations for beginner oil paint brushes for a great way to start traditional oil painting.

  • How to Clean Oil Painting Brushes Properly

    oil painting brushes soaking in ordorless mineral spirits in a glass jar for cleaning

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Oil painting brushes are an investment.If you clean them properly, they can last for years. If you don’t, they can be ruined in a single session.

    Learning how to clean oil painting brushes the right way is one of the most important habits for beginner artists.

    Oil paint does not dry like acrylic or watercolor. It hardens through oxidation, which means it slowly cures over time.

    Because oil paint is made with oil-based binders, water alone will not clean your brushes. If paint dries inside the bristles, it becomes stiff and permanently damages the brush. That’s why proper cleaning is essential after every painting session.

    Common Mistakes When Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes:

    Even beginners can damage their brushes without realizing it. Avoid these common mistakes.

    • Leaving brushes sitting in solvents for long periods of time
    • Using hot water , which can loosen the glue inside the ferrule
    • Crushing the brushes while cleaning ( pushing straight down on the bristles )
    • Waiting to long after painting
    • Letting paint dry inside the brush

    Taking that extra few minutes to clean your brushes will save you money and they will last a long time and perform better.

    How to Clean Oil Paint Brushes After Every Painting Session — Step by Step
    This is the process you do every single time you finish painting. It takes about 5 minutes and it’s the difference between brushes that last 10 years and brushes that are stiff and ruined after 3 months.


    Step 1 — Wipe the brush on a paper towel first


    Before touching any solvent, wipe as much paint off the brush as possible onto a paper towel. Press the bristles flat and drag them across the towel in one direction. Repeat until most of the color is gone. This saves your solvent and makes the cleaning faster.


    Step 2 — Swirl the brush in mineral spirits


    Pour a small amount of Gamsol or odorless mineral spirits into your cleaning jar. Dip the brush in and swirl it gently against the coil or screen at the bottom. The coil loosens paint from deep inside the bristles. Do not jam the brush straight down — this bends and permanently damages the bristles. Use a gentle circular motion.
    Wipe the brush on a paper towel after swirling. Repeat this step until the solvent runs mostly clear when you swirl. For heavily loaded brushes this may take 2 or 3 rounds.


    Step 3 — Wash with The Masters Brush Cleaner


    This step is what most beginners skip — and it’s the most important one for long-term brush health. Wet the brush with lukewarm water, then work the bristles into The Masters Brush Cleaner soap using a circular motion on the palm of your hand. You’ll see color coming out even after the mineral spirits cleaned it. That’s residual pigment deep in the ferrule.


    Rinse under lukewarm water, reshape the bristles, and repeat until the lather runs clear.


    Step 4 — Final rinse and reshape


    Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water. Gently squeeze the bristles from ferrule to tip with your fingers to remove water. Reshape the brush to its original form — flat brushes go flat, round brushes go to a point. This is critical. If you let them dry in a bent shape they stay bent.


    Step 5 — Dry flat or hanging bristles down


    Never store wet brushes bristles up — water runs into the ferrule and loosens the glue that holds the bristles. Lay them flat on a towel or hang them bristles-down until completely dry. Once dry store them bristles-up in a jar or cup.


    How to Clean Brushes Between Colors During a Painting Session
    You don’t need to do a full clean every time you switch colors mid-session.

    Here’s what to do instead:


    Wipe the brush thoroughly on a paper towel to remove as much paint as possible. Then swirl briefly in your mineral spirits jar and wipe again. This is called a mid-session wipe and it’s enough to keep colors from muddying while you’re actively painting.


    Save the full 5-step clean for the end of your session.

    Doing a deep clean between every color mid-session wastes solvent and slows you down.


    How to Restore Hardened Oil Paint Brushes


    If you’ve made the mistake of letting paint dry in your brushes — and most beginners do at least once — don’t throw them out yet. Here’s how to bring them back: Visit our FAQ page for more information.


    Work The Masters Brush Cleaner deep into the hardened bristles dry first, without water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then add lukewarm water and work it into a lather on your palm. The soap is specifically formulated to soften dried paint. Rinse and repeat.

    For badly hardened brushes this may take 3 or 4 rounds but it works on brushes that look completely destroyed.


    For brushes with completely hardened, rock-solid paint, soak the bristles only — not the ferrule — in Winsor and Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer for several hours. This is a stronger solvent-based restorer designed specifically for this situation.


    Recommended Brush Cleaning Supplies


    These are the specific products I recommend for beginners based on effectiveness, price, and ease of use:


    Gamblin Gamsol Orderless Mineral Spirits 16.9

    The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver

    Silicone Brush Cleaning Cup with Coil

    Winsor and Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer


    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and keep the content free.


    The Bottom Line


    Cleaning your oil painting brushes properly is not complicated but it has to be consistent. Wipe, swirl in Gamsol, wash with The Masters, rinse, reshape, dry flat. Five steps, five minutes, every single session. Do that every time and your brushes will outlast your interest in oil painting by a decade.

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

  • Oil Painting for Beginners: The Only Brushes You Really Need to Start.

    oil painting brushes for beginners flat , filbert and round brushes on table

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

    Just getting into the wet-on-wet technique? The brushes below work for general oil painting, but if you’re focused on wet-on-wet specifically, check out my wet-on-wet starter brush kit for the exact brushes designed for that style.

    Starting oil painting as an adult beginner can feel overwhelming. Walk into any art store and you’ll see dozens of brush shapes, sizes, and brands. The truth? You only need a few essential brushes to get started.

    This simple guide will help you choose the right brushes without wasting money, like I did in the beginning. I suggest you try both of the styles in this list and go with the one you feel comfortable with. You can expand later on.

    Why Brush Choice Matters: Oil paint is thicker and heavier than acrylic and watercolor. That means your brushes need:

    *Firm bristles to move the thick paint

    *Good spring( they snap back into shape )

    *Strong ferrules ( the metal part ) to handle solvents and oils

    For beginners, its better to buy fewer, better quality brushes than a large cheap set.

    The 4 Essential Oil Painting Brushes to Start: Here are the only brushes you need to start. Get comfortable with these and then you can move on and experiment with other ones. I wasted a lot of money buying all different kinds of brushes.

    1. Flat Brush (medium size) numbers on the brush go from smallest 00 as the number increase the brush gets bigger. With that the cost of the brush also goes up. Or in some cases it can go the other way. A flat Brush has a square edge and longer bristles. Best for: Blocking in large areas, painting backgrounds, creating sharp corners and building structure in landscapes and still life. Start with a size 6-8 flat. This will handle most of your early paintings. Size #8 for larger canvases and to cover more area quicker with the same features as a size #6.
    2. Filbert Brush ( medium size ) slightly has a rounded tip, mostly looks like a flat brush but with the tip rounded. Best for: blending, creating soft edges, portrait work, and shapes such as clouds, trees, and fabric texture. This brush is considered the most versatile according to many oil painters. Start with a size 6.

    3. Round Brush: (size 2 or 3) A round brush has a pointed tip.

    Best for: Fine details

    • Lines
    • Highlights
    • Small adjustments

    Round brush size #2 and round brush size #3 on a larger canvas I would use a #3 it all depends on what you are going to use it for. Either one will work, I’m just giving you the choice.

    Example of Brush Sizes and There Best Use:

    • 2-3 fine details and highlights
    • 4-6 general painting and blending
    • 8-10 blocking in shapes and mid-size areas
    • 12+ backgrounds and large coverage

    If you’re brand new, avoid buying only small brushes. Many beginners make that mistake and end up painting too tight and stiff.

    What You Don’t Need ( YET )

    • fan brushes
    • specialty texture brushes
    • dozens of tiny detail brushes
    • expensive sable brushes

    Keep it simple. Master the basics first. Patience will pay off and save you money.

    Final Thoughts for Beginners of Any Age Starting Oil Painting: Just from my experience with oil paint brushes and any product you decide to purchase, if you try and save money with low end products it will show on your finished product. I’m not saying go out and buy Artist grade products. My goal is to guide you in the direction, so you’re learning experience is enjoyable and you wind up with a finished painting that looks the way you want it to, with the least amount of unnecessary frustration using poor equipment and wasted money in the long run.

    • Don’t over complicate it. A few well-chosen brushes are all you need to get started.
    • Understand the numbers. Choose the right bristle type. Practice consistently.
    • Oil Painting rewards patience and repetition-not a drawer full of tools and money wasted.

  • What I Wish I Knew Before My First Oil Painting

    beginner oil painting setup with blank canvas, paint palette, brushes, and paint tubes

    Welcome.

    The sole reason I created this site is to help beginners start in the right direction and avoid some of the frustration and unnecessary costs I went through early on.

    Let me be clear about one thing first: mistakes are part of learning. If you’re not making mistakes. you’re not really learning. That’s true in painting and in life.

    That said, here are a few mistakes I made that cost me both money and a lot of frustration-especially in the beginning.

    My Biggest Mistake: Rushing the Process

    I was to focused on the final result instead of learning the basics. That mindset cost me money and many frustrating nights.

    Here’s what I wish I had done differently.

    1 Practice on an inexpensive canvas

    Buy a basic canvas or a small bundle-nothing expensive. This is for practice, not a finished piece. As long as the canvas is stretched and primed with gesso, it’s perfectly fine. White is best when starting out. You can experiment with colors later.

    You can you this canvas to test different brushes and paints to get the results that you are looking for without making mistakes.

    2. Watch and observe techniques

    Spend time watching how different brushes behave and what effect they create. I personally learned a lot by watching Bob Ross. I’m not promoting him-he was simply calming to watch, and his techniques helped me understand brush control and paint behavior.

    3. Reuse your canvas ( this saved me money )

    This was something I didn’t know early on.

    If a painting doesn’t work out:

    A. wipe off excess paint with a rag that has a small amount of paint thinner on it: should do the trick.

    B. let the canvas dry completely

    C. lightly sand the surface to your liking

    D. apply 2-3 thin coats of gesso, letting each coat dry completely. going north and south on first coat and east and west on second so the gesso spreads evenly on the canvas.

    You now have a fresh canvas to work with. I’ve done this many times, and if done correctly, no one can tell if there was a painting underneath.

    4. Experiment before buying more

    Try different brushes and notice which ones you actually need to use. You’ll probably find that a few brushes can do most of what you need.

    The same goes for paint. Some paints have higher pigment and less filler, which means:

    A. richer color

    B. better coverage

    C. less paint used overall

    You will find that you don’t need every gadget or tool available. With the right few tools and patience, you can do far more than you think.

    Final Thought

    Take your time. Practice first. Don’t rush to the ” final painting.”

    This journey is about learning, experimenting, and building confidence-and knowing you can do more with less, not buying everything that you really don’t need.