Oil painting is a beloved form of Western art, known for its rich layers, vibrant colors, and high plasticity. It has been used by artists from various movements, including Realism, Impressionism, and Abstract Expressionism.

Understanding the basic steps of oil painting is crucial for beginners. This article will guide you through the main process of oil painting creation, helping you grasp its artistic principles and techniques.

Step One: Concept and Sketch

The first step in oil painting is to clarify the theme. Artists need to plan the overall style, composition, and emotional tone of the work. For example, classical oil paintings focus on precise expression of light and form, while modern oil paintings may emphasize abstract color composition.

Sketching on the canvas is an important preparatory step. You can use a pencil, charcoal, or diluted paint to lightly outline the main contours and structures. The sketch focuses on proportion, perspective, and dynamics, without too many details. For parts that need multiple revisions, you can first use turpentine to dilute the paint (such as ochre) as a base layer, which makes it easier to cover and adjust later.

Step Two: Grounding and Undercoat Application

Oil painting usually requires an undercoat (imprimatura), which means using a single color or thin layer of paint to unify the canvas tone. Common undercoat colors include warm brown (ochre), gray, or cool green, depending on the final effect you want.

For example, classical portraits often use warm brown undercoats to show skin transparency, while landscape paintings may choose cool gray undercoats to highlight spatial hierarchy. The undercoat can cover the entire canvas or be applied locally. Its purpose is to provide a harmonious reference base for subsequent colors and to avoid interference from the white canvas on color perception.

Step Three: Initial Color Blocking

In this stage, artists quickly lay down the large color blocks of the painting with a large brush to determine the light and dark relationships and basic color structure. For the dark areas, use thin and transparent paint (such as raw umber, deep red) to represent shadows, avoiding the direct use of black.

For mid-tones and highlights, gradually add thicker paint (such as titanium white or cadmium yellow) to shape the forms. Oil painting follows the "fat-over-lean" principle (the upper layer of paint must have a higher oil content than the lower layer) to prevent cracking. For the environment color, add transitional colors (such as reflected colors in landscapes) at the junction of the background and the subject to enhance overall harmony. At this point, ignore the details and focus on the accuracy of the overall relationship.

Step Four: Refining and Shaping

When the underlayer paint is semi-dry (usually 1-3 days), you can start to refine gradually. For light and dark enhancement, use a soft round brush to depict the layers of the dark areas. By using the glazing technique (layering transparent colors), you can increase depth, as Rubens often did to show the luster of silk.

For brushstroke expression, Impressionists tend to retain obvious brushstrokes (such as Monet's short, dotted colors), while realistic styles require blending the brushstrokes smoothly. For detailed depiction, areas like human faces and fabric textures need to be carefully carved with small brushes. You can combine the dry brush technique to highlight the texture.

Step Five: Adjustment and Completion

In the final stage, artists need to step back and observe the overall effect of the painting. Check if the warm and cool contrasts are harmonious, and you can glaze the overall tone.

Enhance the focus by adding highlights (such as titanium white dots for the reflection in a person's eyes) or softening edges (for distant landscapes). After the painting is completely dry (about 6 months), apply varnish to protect the surface and maintain color vibrancy.

Tools and Precautions

Choose linen canvas (good oil absorption), high-quality synthetic brushes (good elasticity), fast-drying pigments (such as lead white), and slow-drying pigments (such as ultramarine). Avoid direct skin contact with turpentine and keep the workspace ventilated.

Oil painting is charming because of its cumulative process—from the underlying logic to the surface expression. Each step carries the artist's thinking and the sedimentation of skills. Through repeated practice, creators can not only master the core techniques of Western painting but also find their unique artistic language.