I'm feeling a significant lack of creativity in my life and am looking for a creative outlet. I'm thinking I'd like to try oil painting just for fun--nothing too serious (like not serious enough for lessons).

What are the bare basic essentials I would need for oil painting? Brand names would be good if it's important.

TIA!

I consider myself an artist,and even though oil painting isn't my preference,I think Winsor & Newton is one of the best,if not THE best brand of oil paint out there. It's great quality paint,so it could be pricey. Also,always use a wooden palette That's just my $.02! Have fun!

Great. Thanks for your response.

So, what is your preference?

I paint, but with acrylics. I like the versatility and the easy cleanup. There are lots of good books out there! If you have your heart set on oil, may i suggest oil pastels? I really like working with them and getting my hands in there blending colors!

Our school division offers a program called rural art mentorship. It's basically a high school art class offered in the evenings. It is taught be artists and is open to the general public! It's my monday night getaway!

I'm not an artist

My middle daughter is the artist in the family. Do you have a Michael's near you? They have some great choices of paints , everything you would need.

If you live in a city... you likely have an art supply store hidden somewhere. We have 2 in winnipeg. the people working there are usually very helpful!

We do have Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I don't think there's a more specific art supply store, but I'll check Michaels. I just don't want to waste money on brushes, for example, that are either too expensive or too cheap.

my experience has been... that you're better off going with good quality supplies. Things like brushes are an investment! Cheap brushes will leave stray hairs in your work. It can drive you nuts! good quality supplies will give you a better quality product. It's one of those cases where you really get what you pay for!

I just did a really groovy project on plexiglass with acrylics! It's really awesome!

I'm really excited about this and can't wait until the roads clear enough to get out to look at stuff. The only trick will be finding a place to do it. I think I'll set something up upstairs in a corner of the bonus room where I can lock the door, put on my mp3 headphones and really chill out.

Hi, do you get the 40% off coupons from Michaels in your Sunday paper? I have stocked up on supplies that way. Good luck!

Great idea!! I always forget about those things! Thanks so much for reminding me.

At a minimum you need the following:

Palette
Brushes (make sure the brushes are specifically for oil; they are a lot stiffer than brushes for watercolor)
Paints
Painting medium (usually linseed oil)
Canvases (Pre-primed and pre-stretched are most convenient)
Rags and Turpentine for cleanup

Find an art supply store and they can recommend the best choices for what you want to do.

Good luck and have fun!

I'm a watercolor artist, and a former art teacher. If you have never painted before there are some great online tutorials and websites that have great information. Just type in oil painting and tutorials in google. You are welcome to pm me if I can help with anything Love budding artists!

anyone else have their work online? I know we can't put up urls but if you do a search for mcrorie..you will probably find mine I would love to see what everyone else is doing!

Wow! I searched and am amazed. Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. I hope others join you.

You people never cease to amaze me. How did you get that bowl to look so reflective and real?

I'm trying to get one of those grapes out of my monitor.