8 Oil Painting for Beginners Tips in San Francisco

Let your inner artist out to play at oil painting for beginners in San Francisco! If you are looking for creative things to do in the Bay Area, whether as a new hobby to explore or for cute date night ideas, learning how to paint is a great way to go. Painting is a calming activity that lets you step away from screens and into your own creativity. 

There are plenty of easy painting for beginners classes throughout San Francisco to explore. Before you head to the studio, take a look at some helpful painting tips that will help you make the most out of your time in class. 

Taking up a new passion or hobby can be super beneficial for your well-being. Many of us lead busy lives, and finding the time to take care of ourselves can be often put at the bottom of the list. If you’re feeling a little tired or burnt out, it might be time to give yourself some self-love. With so many different types of art classes and painting techniques to choose from, the meditative art of oil painting has been a popular art form for centuries.

Feeling frazzled, overwhelmed or over-worked? An evening of DIY painting might help you to tune out of all of that daily noise and enable you to reconnect with yourself more often. Spend more time doing things you love and you’ll likely notice how much more energy you have day-to-day. With so many health and wellbeing benefits, here are our top oil painting for beginners tips you need to know about.

1. Understanding the difference between oils, acrylics and watercolor paints

Let’s start with the basics, which admittedly, can be confusing for many. How do you know which medium is best for you? And what is the difference between oils, acrylics and watercolors? Oil paints have a thicker consistency and are mixed with white spirit instead of water. They also take much longer to dry, which means you can be more experimental with the versatility of using oils, and create layer upon layer to build up a painting.

Watercolor paints are very delicate and you need to be careful with how much water you use. Acrylics are similar to oils but don’t have the same thick consistency, meaning they dry very fast. Oils are mostly painted onto canvas, while acrylics and watercolors can be painted onto paper. No matter your medium, get ready to explore your creativity at painting parties in SF. 

2. Learn about the different pieces of equipment and materials 

When using oil paints, you’ll need to use different types of brushes to try various techniques. Bristle brushes are the most commonly used, but you can use synthetic brushes as well. Note that brushes for acrylics and watercolors are completely different from brushes used for oil paints.

You also might prefer to paint using an easel or by hanging your canvas on a wall. Know that you have plenty of options to be as comfortable as possible when learning how to paint on canvas.

At our painting classes in San Francisco, all the supplies and materials you need - including paints, brushes, a canvas and an easel - are all provided. All you have to do is show up to class with a positive mindset and all the rest will be taken care of for you. At paint n' sip classes, you'll go through a particular image step-by-step, while at beginning painting classes, you will learn techniques and have the chance to explore more. 

3.Prime your canvas board first

Make sure you prime your board before you start painting to avoid the colors seeping through. Many store-bought canvases may already be primed, but make sure you check first before buying.

4. You’ll learn how to draw

In an oil painting class in San Francisco, you’ll learn how to draw before you put paint onto a canvas. Learn how to measure perspective from a photograph or an object in front of you. When you’ve mastered the art of drawing, you’ll learn how to use oil paints.

5. Don’t go too big

It’s a wise idea to start small and paint onto smaller canvases, rather than to paint on a large one first. Try out different painting techniques before you commit to painting a large picture. It will help build your confidence as you pick up the art form quickly.

6. Use a handful of colors

Naturally, you might like to fill your palette with every paint color possible. Instead, take things slow and simply use a limited color palette so you can get used to mixing complementary colors. Build your confidence as you learn to paint onto the canvas to form beautiful color shades and bring life to your painting.

It might be easier to start by using black and white oil paints to create a monochrome painting. While it might not sound exciting, monochrome paintings can be even more effective than using a series of colors.

7. Learn how to paint properly

There’s a process that comes with painting with oils. Learn to use different consistencies during the painting process so you’re not layering paints heavily on top of each other. If you paint a thick consistency, the next stroke should be of thin consistency. Try using thinner paints during the first few layers before you build up the painting with thicker consistencies on top. You can thin out the paints simply by using white spirits to mix your paints.

8. Always clean your brushes at the end of the oil painting class

At the end of the oil painting class in San Francisco, always make sure you clean your brushes with white spirit or turpentine so you don’t ruin them. If you leave your paintbrushes with paint on them, it will make the brushes go hard. Once you’ve mixed them with white spirit, clean them with soap and water and wipe any excess off with paper towels. You’ll also need to clean your hands and always wear painting clothes you don’t mind getting paint on them. Painting with oils can be super messy, but that’s what makes it so much fun!

Expressing your inner creativity when trying oil painting classes in SF can be one of the most rewarding activities in San Francisco. You’ll learn how to focus and concentrate while using problem-solving skills and being creative at the same time. Combine these skills with doing something you really love and you’ll soon see a spring in your step and a thirst to continue painting as a hobby.