Oil painting basics

How to paint

Oil paint stays wet for days, letting you blend smoothly and rework areas. That slow drying is also why order matters.

Follow 'fat over lean': early layers use more solvent and less oil, later layers more oil. This prevents cracking as the painting dries.

Use odorless mineral spirits in a ventilated room, and never pour solvents down the drain. Let a finished painting cure six months before varnishing.