Oil paints are a key media for painting, allowing artists to easily mix colours and create a variety of shades. These paints consist of a pigment suspended in oil, which creates an opaque film when dry. Linseed oil is the most commonly used, but other types of oil may be available.
Oil paints dry slowly, allowing artists to make long adjustments to their work, which is particularly suitable for beginners. In many cases, the paint can be thinned with turpentine to achieve the desired texture.
The advantages of oil paints include easy mixing, long drying times, the ability to work in layers and durability, while their disadvantages include difficulty in washing off and the need to prepare the canvas before painting. To get started with oil paints, you will need a canvas, brushes, a palette and possibly a thinner. It is recommended that beginners purchase basic colours to gain a basic understanding of colour mixing and the painting process.
