The Beginner's Guide to Oil Paint: by Artist Corner

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WHAT IS OIL PAINT?

Where other paints (like acrylic) bind color pigments to water, oil paints use…well, oil! 

Oil paints use an oil as the vehicle in which pigment is mixed in. Usually linseed or walnut oil. Some brands that cater to students or budget-conscious artists also put fillers in the paint to provide bulk, or extend the paint. However, this can also reduce the permanence and brightness of the paint. 

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WHAT'S WITH THOSE SERIES?

You might have noticed that oil paints are categorized into series. The higher the series number, the more the paint will cost. An oil paint’s price depends on the pigment required to create that color. 

For example, one pigment used in a range of yellow and red paints is called cadmium. Cadmium is an expensive pigment for several reasons. First, it is a relatively rare metal. It also requires more steps to become paint-ready compared to others. Lastly, Cadmium is considered toxic. Because of this, there are increased mining and collection regulations companies need to be aware of. Despite the cost, cadmium colors are still considered essentials for many artists due to their strong and brilliant color. 

This leads us to our next frequently asked question: 

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WHAT DO I NEED TO START?

• Brushes: start by getting a small round, a medium filbert, and a large flat. Expand your collection as you learn what you like. Hog bristle is a traditional material for oil painting brushes, but there are many good synthetics. See here if you have questions about brushes.
• Mineral Spirits, for cleaning brushes
• Silcoil jar, to hold mineral spirits
• Palette, like this one
• A painting medium like linseed oil, to add transparency and thin the paint
• Oil Paints, like Gamblin, or Grumbacher, if you need something more budget-friendly

Choosing your Oil paints

Common essential colors:

• Titanium White
• Cadmium Lemon
• Alizarin Crimson
• Ultramarine Blue

Other optional colors: 

• Burnt Umber
• Yellow Ochre
• Naphthol Red or Cadmium Red Medium
• Viridian Green 
• Ivory Black 
• Burnt Sienna

My Favorites:

• Indian Yellow (it's translucent and can do beautiful glazes)
• Sap Green (perfect for plants)
• Raw Umber (A deep, natural looking brown)

Another method for building a palette that utilizes more color mixing requires you to pick a cool and warm version of each primary color. So it would look like this:

Red- Alizarin Crimson (cool) & Cadmium Red Medium (warm)

Blue- Cobalt blue (cool) & Cerulean blue (warm)

Yellow- Cadmium Lemon (cool) & Cadmium Yellow Dark (warm)

Plus Ivory Black and Titanium White

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ARE OIL PAINTS DANGEROUS?

For the general population, oil paint is safe! There are a few exceptions which we will discuss.

An essential to oil painting is good ventilation, especially if you are using strong products like traditional turpentine. Oil paints require something called mineral spirits to clean the brushes. Traditional turpentine is flammable and dangerous, so today’s artists generally use turpenoid, a safer alternative, or an odorless product called Gamsol. Still, whatever you use, crack open a window to be safe! 

If you have sensitive lungs or breathing problems, it may be best to avoid oil paint. Otherwise, try using products like Eco-House Citrus Spirits. Because it’s derived from citrus, it smells like oranges. If you have a bigger budget, look into getting Lavender Spike Oil. For good measure, try out some masks! Consult a doctor if you have a health condition. 

Now what about the paints themselves? Back in the day, many dangerous materials (like arsenic!) were used to create paints. Today, there are a lot more regulations in place to keep you safe! There are only a few pigments that may require extra precautions. The first is the aforementioned Cadmium. Now, as long as you’re not licking it, you should be safe. However, it’s easier to accidentally consume it than you think! Painting can be messy, and it can get all over your hands. So regularly diving into a bag of chips while you have cadmium yellow smeared on your finger? Not recommended. If you’re concerned about skin contact, try wearing gloves! Be safe, and avoid things like repeatedly touching your face. 

The other pigment is rarer in today’s market, but some artist’s still seek it out due to its unique properties. That would be Lead White. You’ve probably heard of the problems lead can cause in paints. But if you’re determined to try it, be sure to wear gloves and double check your ventilation, and consider wearing a mask. Otherwise, a great alternative is Flake White Alternative- aka a white paint that uses other pigments to mimic lead white’s properties. 

Lastly, if you have a nut allergy, please note that some brands like M. Graham, use walnut oil in their paint. 

If you’re not sure whether a paint is safe or not, research it before use. If you’re worried about using oil paint with young kids around or while pregnant, consult with a doctor. 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Oil painting can be incredibly rewarding. Take the dive and see what you can make!