Focus On Oil Painting Demonstrations: Step-by-Step Tutorials and Projects

Welcome to my collection of oil painting demonstrations. Each tutorial shows the development of a painting from the first sketch to the final artwork. These demonstrations reveal not only how each painting was created, but also the art materials needed, the painting techniques explored and what you will learn.

Where to Start with Oil Painting

The aim of this section is to prompt the artist to get painting.

Whether you are a beginner in oil painting or an experienced artist looking for further practice, these demonstrations are designed to provide guidance that can be applied to your own work. Every project explores artistic principles such as colour mixing, tonal values, composition and brushwork.

What You Will Find on Each Demo Page

Each art demonstration will be structured similarly. Here is what you’ll find on each tutorial page.

An introduction on what you'll learn. This might be colour-mixing, tonal judgements, alla prima or painting shadows. Themes will vary from dramatic landscapes, floral art, to portraiture and wildlife including pets.

The art materials needed. This will include the art pigments required, the brushes, the art surface used and the time needed to complete the painting.

Also find step by step instructions with corresponding images. This how-to section will describe the colours used at each stage; the brushes (or other utensil) and technique being practiced.

The finished painting will provide further visual reference for the artist practicing various subject matter, be it coastal scenes, portraiture, wildlife or still life.

Explore Different Subjects and Artistic Ideas

Unlike simple painting tutorials that show only the final result, these demonstrations reveal each stage from blank surface to finished painting. By seeing the steps in between, artists can better understand the methods, techniques and processes involved.

Themes vary widely and will include landscapes, wildlife, pets, portraiture, floral subjects, still life paintings and experimental artwork.

Learn the Foundations of Oil Painting

Before beginning a painting, it helps to understand the materials available and how they influence the finished result.

To this end, find also sections on preparing for an oil painting: the basics, such as the essential pigments needed, the art mediums available and which brushes to use for various art effects. Learn about gessoes, easel selection and planning an art space.

Preparation and Planning for Artwork

Every piece of artwork begins before the first brushstroke even touches the canvas. Find a section on art preparation, the under-drawing and the use of reference material. These matters complement the demo practices here. Collectively, all play a part in creating successful artwork.

A Growing Resource for Oil Painters

New demonstrations will be added here, providing fresh subject matter, techniques and ideas to explore. For now, my series begins with a demonstration showing how to paint a solar eclipse in oils.

Otherwise, take a look at various essential topics of this blog, such as a guide to art materials, colour behaviour, the main art techniques or my artbook catalogue.

Check my focus pages on the subject matter concerned: landscape art, portraiture, wildlife, still life and experimental art.

Or see what’s trending.