Oil Paint

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Oil Paint


Durable and versatile, oil paint is a classic medium that has stood the test of time for hundreds of years. Oil colors are comprised of pigments suspended in a binder, generally linseed oil. They are very opaque, but they can be thinned to varying degrees of transparency. Oils also have a slow drying time, so artists can rework the paint for a longer amount of time.


Oil Colors contain a full pigment load suspended in a binder, generally linseed oil or another drying oil such as safflower oil, poppyseed oil, or walnut oil. Use them on stretched canvas or boards that have been primed to accept oil paints. Usually made with a single pigment, professional-grade paints mix more cleanly and have better tinting strength than lower-grade paints.


Student Grade Oil Colors have working characteristics similar to professional oils, but with lower pigment concentrations and a smaller range of colors — typically only one series. Student oils often have pigment mixes instead of single pigments, and more expensive pigments are generally replicated by hues, which may not have the same mixing characteristics as full-strength colors.


Water Mixable Oil Colors are similar to regular oil colors, but they contain a modified oil binder that can be cleaned up with water. Once dry, the paint layer resists water just as conventional oil colors do, with a drying time similar to that of traditional oils. Clean-up is easier, requiring none of the solvents which can have harmful side effects. Water miscible oils can be mixed with conventional oil colors and mediums, but the resulting mixture may lose its water-mixable characteristics. They can also be thinned with water, but doing so will tend to make the paint film duller and will cause a color shift from wet to dry. Use of water miscible mediums is recommended.


Alkyds are made with an alkyd resin binder that has been modified with a non­yellowing drying oil for optimum color retention, excellent durability, and rapid drying time. Alkyds' main advantage over oil paints is that they may dry to the touch in 12-48 hours, and paintings employing fairly thin applications may be ready to varnish in as little as 30 days. Drying times and gloss level vary by brand. Use alkyds with an alkyd medium or other traditional Oil Painting Mediums. Clean up with mineral spirits.


Oil Paint Sticks are oil paints in stick form. They are compatible with traditional oil paints and can be used in much the same manner — apply them directly or thin them with a medium or solvent of your choice.


Access our Swatch and Pigment guide for details on our individually-painted color swatches and where to locate pigment information.

Blick carries a wide variety of oil paints for a range of uses. Find student and artist grade oil paint, water mixable oil colors, alkyd paint, and oil paint sticks.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are oil paints made of?

    Oil paints are comprised of pigments suspended in a binder, generally linseed oil. Depending on the manufacturer, other ingredients may be added as well, such as stabilizers or dryers.

  • Why choose oil paints over other types of paint?

    Oil paints are one of the great classic media. They have been used for hundreds of years and have stood the test of time with great durability and steadfast color.

    Oils are beloved by artists for many reasons. They offer great versatility. Oils can be very opaque, or they can be thinned with a solvent to varying levels of transparency. They have a slow-drying time, during which their colors do not change, allowing the artist to rework, correct, and even scrape off areas of paint.

  • What does "Direct Painting" mean?

    This means that the paint is applied in one layer. A good way of thinking about this technique is that a painting can be completed in one sitting, and does not require waiting time before adding another layer.

  • What does "Indirect Painting" mean?

    This is a more complex method of painting with oils. It is also thought of as a more traditional approach. Here the artist applies many layers of paint, adjusting the opacity of the layers to create different effects. Indirect painting can result in very luminous tones and colors.

  • What does "Fat Over Lean" mean?

    This is a traditional rule of oil painting. "Fat" paint has more oil in it, and "lean" paint has less oil in it. As artists paint layers onto paintings, they make each progressive layer "fatter" than the one before by adding more medium. The more oil the paint has the more flexible it is. When the overpainting is more flexible than the underpainting, the paint is less likely to crack as it dries.

  • What is "Impasto" painting?

    Impasto refers to a thicker application of paint (think Vincent Van Gogh) which has physical dimensionality. Use caution with this technique as thick layers of paint have a tendency to crack as they dry. Integrating smaller areas of this technique into a painting works best.

  • Can I mix acrylic and oil paints?

    Oil paint can be used on top of acrylic paint once it is dry. If acrylic is used over oil paint, the acrylic won't adhere permanently and will likely peel.

  • Can I save oil paints and use them later?

    Once oil paints begin the drying process and have developed an outer skin, they lose some adhesive and drying properties that cannot be recovered.

    Here are three tips you can try to preserve leftover paints to use later:

    • Try transferring blobs of paint to a strip of glass, then submerge that in water.
    • Cover the paint with plastic wrap closely, so as to exclude all air.
    • Cover your entire palette with plastic wrap and put it in the freezer.

  • How can I protect my finished oil painting?

    A finished painting should be coated with a protective varnish. However, it takes six months to a year for an oil painting to dry thoroughly enough to apply this finishing layer. In the meantime, store your work in a dust free, but not dark storage area.

  • What brushes should I use with oil paints?

    A wide range of brushes may be used. From natural to synthetic bristles, the brush can be left largely up to the artist. By experimenting with different brushes, each individual artist can find ones that suit their needs.

    Traditional oil painting brushes have long handles, so that the artist can work at some distance from the canvas. The hair is generally firmer and stiffer than for a watercolor brush.

    Palette knives can also be a very useful tool for mixing and/or applying oil paints to paintings.

  • What kind of surface should be used with oil paints?

    Canvas, linen, panels, boards, and heavy papers are all appropriate. It is important that the surface can carry its own weight and that it can support the weight of the paint as well.

    Preparing the surface so that paint will adhere well is very important. Oil paint must be separated from its surface with some kind of ground. This ground should provide a combination of tooth and absorbency that suits the individual artist.

  • What's the difference between professional and student-grade paints?

    Professional-grade paints have a higher pigment concentration and less filler, and generally use a wider variety of pigments, resulting in a larger color range. Usually made with a single pigment, they mix more cleanly and have better tinting strength than lower-grade paints.

    Student-grade paints have working characteristics similar to professional paints but with lower concentrations of pigment and a smaller range of colors. More expensive pigments are generally replicated by hues, which may not have the same mixing characteristics as pure colors. They don't cover as well as artist-grade paints, but they're usually more affordable.