Tools for Oil Painting: Brushes, Mediums, Palettes & Techniques

Silent Canvas

Discover the essential tools used for oil painting, their artistic uses, buying tips, and safety. From brushes and palette knives to solvents, supports, and varnishes—everything a painter needs to create confident oil paintings.

Introduction

Oil painting is a rich, tactile, and historically prestigious medium. 

From Jan van Eyck’s luminous panel works to contemporary oil-on-canvas experiments, oil paint’s slow drying time, depth of color, and versatility have inspired countless artistic innovations. 

But behind every successful oil painting lies a set of tools — some obvious (brushes, paint) and some overlooked (mahlstick, palette choices).  Knowing which tools to use, why they matter, and how they affect technique is essential for both beginners and advanced artists.

Santana de Parnaíba
Webysther Nunes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This guide covers the tools used for oil painting and their artistic uses in practical detail. 

It’s structured for easy reference and optimized for search-engine visibility, containing clear headings, keyword-rich subtopics, and actionable tips. 

Whether you’re selecting your first brush set or refining an impasto technique, you’ll find thorough explanations, use-cases, and purchasing advice.

Quick overview: Core categories of oil painting tools

• Paints & Pigments — the raw material: single pigment oil paints, student vs. professional grades.

• Brushes — shapes, hairs, and sizes for specific strokes.

• Palette knives & painting knives — for mixing and impasto application.

• Supports & grounds — canvas, panels, priming with gesso or oil grounds.

• Mediums & solvents — linseed oil, walnut oil, turpentine alternatives, alkyds.

• Palettes & palette systems — wood, glass, stay-wet systems.

• Easels, mahlsticks, and stretchers — ergonomics and control.

• Varnishes, retouching, and conservation tools — final protection and archival care.

• Auxiliary tools — rags, sponges, masking tape, spray bottles, mahlsticks, scrapers.

1. Paints & pigments: the heart of oil painting

Cadmium Oil Paints 
Amy Lavine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oil paint types

• Artist (professional) grade: higher pigment concentration, better permanence, smoother handling, stronger tinting strength and coverage.

• Student grade: more fillers and less pigment; economical for practice and studies but limited in vibrancy and longevity.

Pigment characteristics and uses

• Single-pigment paints are preferred for predictable mixing and permanence.

• Transparent vs. opaque pigments: Transparent pigments (alizarin crimson historically, some modern quinacridones) are excellent for glazing; opaque pigments (titanium white, cadmium colors) are preferred for strong coverage and impasto.

• Permanence & lightfastness: Artists should choose pigments rated for permanence to avoid fading. Cadmiums and ultramarines are durable; some organic dyes are less permanent.

AnonymousUnknown author,
Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons

Whites and grounds

• Titanium white: very opaque, strong covering power — excellent for highlights and mixing.

• Lead white (flake white): historically prized for flexibility and warm tonality, but toxic and largely discontinued for safety reasons.

• Grounds/primers: acrylic gesso, traditional rabbit-skin glue followed by oil ground, or commercially prepared oil primers. 

• The ground changes tooth, absorbency, and brightness of the support.

Artistic uses: Choosing the right pigment and grade directly impacts color intensity, glazing options, and archival quality. 

For layered glazing, use transparent pigments and fast-drying mediums; for textured impasto, choose heavy-bodied paints with high pigment load.

2. Brushes: shapes, hairs, and how they shape mark-making

Brushes are the extension of the artist’s hand and among the most influential tools for oil painting. Understanding shapes and hair types helps you achieve the line, edge, texture, and blending you want.

Different types of Oil Paint brushes
Vinegartom at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Common shapes

• Round: Versatile for lines, edges, and detail work.

• Flat: Good for bold strokes, blocking in large shapes, and creating sharp edges.

• Bright: Similar to flat but shorter hairs — great for controlled, energetic marks.

• Filbert: Rounded, slightly oval tip; excellent for blending and softer edges.

• Fan: Spreads paint thinly — useful for soft textures and blending foliage or fur.

• Rigger (liner): Long round brush for fine lines and lettering.

Hair types and performance

• Natural hog bristle: Stiff, resilient; excellent for thick paint and impasto. Ideal for energetic, textured strokes.

• Sable (e.g., Kolinsky sable): Soft, springy, and holds a lot of paint; excellent for fine detail and smooth blending. Expensive but prized.

• Synthetic bristles (nylon, polyester blends): Increasingly high performance; can mimic sable or hog. Durable, easier to clean, and often less costly.

Sizes and handles

• Short handles: Better for close-up studio work and controlled detailing.

• Long handles: Better for painting at a distance on an easel — allows gestural motion and fluidity.

Artistic uses: Use hog-bristle flats for underpainting and pushing heavy paint. Reserve sable rounds for glazing, soft transitions, and fine lines. Mix hair types across a palette to match technique to desired effect.

3. Palette knives & painting knives: beyond mixing

Painting knives
JohanahoJ, CC BY-SA 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

Palette knives are often underestimated. They’re not just for mixing paint — they’re creative tools for construction and texture.

Types and shapes

• Straight palette knife: Traditional, with a flexible blade and rounded tip, used primarily for mixing.

• Painting knife (trowel-style): Angled or offset blades with various shapes suited to applying paint directly to canvas.

• Small & narrow knives: For precise impasto lines.

• Large, square knives: For laying broad slabs of color.

Artistic techniques with knives

• Impasto: Build thick, sculptural paint layers, creating dynamic light-catching surfaces.

• Scumbling & scraping: Scrape away paint to reveal underlayers or create veined textures.

• Edge effects: Create sharp, chiseled edges or soft, palette-knife-blended transitions.

• Direct application: Knife painting can yield bold, graphic surfaces and spontaneous marks not achievable with brushes.

Tip: A palette knife forces you to think in planes and planes of light — it’s excellent for painters working in a modern, expressive, or landscape idiom.

4. Supports and stretchers: canvas, panel, and alternatives

Splined canvas.
Taliek at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

Canvas

• Linen canvas: Premium support — strong, flexible, and long-lasting. Preferred by professionals.

• Cotton (duck) canvas: More affordable and commonly used by students and hobbyists.

• Pre-stretched vs. roll: Pre-stretched canvases save time; stretching your own gives control over tension.

Panels

• Wood panels (plywood, Baltic birch, hardwood panels): Very stable; great for fine detail, smooth brushwork, and techniques requiring less tooth.

• Masonite/Hardboard: Economical and stable; requires proper sealing to prevent alkali issues.

Paper and primed alternatives

• Oil-primed paper or oil grounds on paper: For studies and practice. Use heavyweight, archival paper to reduce buckling.

Stretcher bars & keys

• Stretcher bars support canvas tension. Keys (wedges) let you re-tension canvas over time — crucial in humid climates.

Artistic uses: Use panels for precise, detailed work or paintings with many glazing layers. Canvas is ideal for larger, more expressive strokes and works that benefit from a flexible surface.

5. Mediums and solvents: control drying time, gloss, transparency, and flow

Mediums dramatically shape painting behavior. They alter viscosity, drying time, gloss level, and adhesion.

Traditional oils and drying oils

• Linseed oil: Most commonly used; increases gloss and transparency but may yellow slightly over time. Use refined linseed for fewer impurities.

• Walnut oil: Less yellowing, slower drying, and valued for clarity — excellent for glazing.

• Poppy seed oil & safflower oil: Slower-drying and lower yellowing; often used in whites and light tints.

Alkyds and modern synthetic mediums

• Alkyd mediums: Speed drying significantly and can be mixed with oils to make layers dry faster — useful for faster turnarounds or plein-air work.

• Solvent-free mediums: Gel mediums and resins that modify body and gloss without adding volatile solvents.

Solvents and odorless alternatives

• Turpentine & mineral spirits: Traditional solvents for thinning paint and cleaning brushes. Effective but strong-smelling and toxic with prolonged exposure.

• Odorless mineral spirits (OMS): Less volatile and more user-friendly; widely used in studios.

• Eco/low-tox solvents (citrus-based, turpentine alternatives): Safer options but check compatibility with varnishes and mediums.

Medium recipes and “fat over lean”

• Fat over lean rule: Each successive layer should contain more oil (fatter) than the previous to prevent cracking. Fat layers dry slower and remain flexible; lean layers dry faster and are stiffer.

• Typical medium mixes: Linseed oil + OMS for increased flow; alkyd medium for faster drying; stand oil for glossy, leveled surfaces.

Artistic uses: Use transparent oil mediums for glazing and luminous depth. Use alkyds when you need quick handling and earlier varnishing. Always plan layers: underpaint lean, build fatter.

6. Palettes and palette systems: where color decisions happen

An artist's palette.
Stonda, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Palette types

• Wood palettes: Traditional and warm; easy to hold, visually pleasant, but require cleaning and care.

• Glass palettes: Non-absorbent, easy to scrape clean; colors remain true and don’t absorb into the surface.

• Disposable palette pads: Convenient for quick sessions and plein-air painting.

• Stay-wet and airtight palettes: Keep paint workable longer — good for slow sessions or glazing sequences.

Layout and organization

• Value & temperature arrangement: Arrange from lights to darks or warm to cool for fast mixing. Many artists use edge-to-center layouts to avoid contaminating pigments.

• Use of spreading area: Reserve a mixing area and a clean zone for whites and transparent colors to prevent contamination.

Artistic uses: A glass palette helps when precise color matching is essential. A wooden hand palette favors studio comfort and tradition. Stay-wet systems extend working time when glazing or soft blending is needed.

7. Easels, mahlsticks & workspace ergonomics

ALE 11011, CC BY 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

Easel types

• Studio H-frame easel: Sturdy, supports large canvases, adjustable.

• A-frame/lyre easel: Space-saving and portable.

• Tabletop easel: Great for small works, studies, or limited space.

Mahlstick and other support tools

• Mahlstick: A stick with a padded end used to steady the hand while painting fine detail — invaluable for portrait and still-life work.

• V-shaped sticks, thumb supports, and wrist rests: Alternatives to a mahlstick for hand support.

Lighting & ventilation

• Consistent light source: Daylight-balanced bulbs (5000–6500K) help with accurate color perception.

• Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential when using solvents or spraying varnish. Use an extractor fan or paint outdoors.

Artistic uses: Use a mahlstick for controlled strokes in portraits. Choose easel type based on canvas size and working style: large H-frame for large-scale work and upright compositions; tabletop for small studies.

8. Varnishes, retouching, and conservation tools

Varnish types

• Gloss varnish: Intensifies color depth and shine; useful for finishing.

• Matte varnish: Reduces sheen for a more subdued finish.

• Retouch varnish: Temporarily evens surface sheen during drying and retouching.

Conservation tools

• Soft brushes for dusting, cotton swabs, and conservation-grade solvents (for professional conservators).

• Documentation tools: Photograph works at each major stage for records, helpful for later conservation.

When and how to varnish

• Timing: Varnish only after a painting is fully dry — often months to a year depending on thickness and mediums used. Using alkyds speeds safe varnishing.

• Application: Apply thin, even coats with a wide, soft synthetic varnish brush or spray. Avoid puddling and streaks.

Artistic uses: Varnish enhances color and protects the surface. For works intended for sale or exhibition, proper varnishing and documentation add value and longevity.

9. Auxiliary and preparatory tools

• Rags & paper towels: For wiping brushes and removing excess paint. Use lint-free cloths.

• Sponge & natural sponges: For soft textures and irregular mark-making.

• Masking tape & frisket: For edges or protected areas.

• Sandpaper & abrasive pads: For smoothing grounds or refinishing panels between layers.

• Scrapers & chisels: For removing unwanted paint or creating sgraffito.

• Spray bottle (water): Occasionally used when working with water-mixable oils or to keep certain mediums moist.

• Measuring tools: For proportion transfer (calipers, viewfinders, grid systems).

• Studio scales & thermometer: For mixing consistent mediums or for professional workflows.

Artistic uses: These tools help in preparation, correction, and special effects. Masking supports hard-edge color fields; sponges mimic foliage or stone.

Strolling along the Seashore
Joaquín Sorolla, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

10. Specialized tools & techniques

Impasto tools

• Large painting knives, combs, and specialized impasto tools (e.g., sculpting blades) create sculptural paint surfaces.

• Additives for body: Cold wax medium or heavy gel mediums increase body and tooth for sculptural effects.

Sgraffito & incising tools

• Needles, styluses, and palette-knife edges can incise into wet paint to reveal underlayers and linear detail.

Glazing racks & drying aids

• Drying racks let multiple paintings dry safely.

• Desiccant cabinets (less common for oils) and controlled humidity spaces help with consistent drying.

Painting with mixed media

• Integration tools: For combining oil with encaustic (heated tools) or with collage (archival adhesives), use tools that protect pigments and ensure adhesion.

Artistic uses: Specialized tools expand vocabulary — impasto tools for sculptural landscapes, sgraffito for linear accents, and mixed-media tools for hybrid approaches.

11. Cleaning, storage, and safety

Brush cleaning

• Two-bath system: First bath in solvent/OMS to remove paint, second bath in soap (artist’s soap or mild dish soap) with water to condition bristles.

• Brush cleaners & conditioners: Help restore bristle flexibility. Never let solvent sit in brushes overnight.

Solvent safety

• Ventilation: Always work in a well-ventilated area or use extraction equipment.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Gloves, nitrile when handling solvents, and masks when spraying varnish.

• Storage: Keep solvents sealed, away from heat sources; dispose of solvent-soaked rags properly (risk of spontaneous combustion).

Storage of works

• Vertical storage: Store unvarnished paintings vertically with spacers to avoid sticking.

• Climate control: Stable humidity and temperature protect canvases and prevent warping or mold.

Artistic uses: Safe practice prolongs careers. Choosing odorless or low-toxicity alternatives can make regular studio practice healthier and sustainable.

12. Buying advice: assembling your toolkit

Starter kit (for new oil painters)

• A set of basic oil colors (titanium white, ultramarine blue, alizarin/quinacridone crimson, cadmium yellow or PY equivalents, earth tones).

• A small variety of brushes: hog bristle flats (#6, #10), a sable round (#2–#4), a filbert (#8).

• A palette (wood or disposable pad), palette knife, linseed oil and OMS.

• Stretched canvas panel and one wood panel for practice.

• An easel suitable to workspace and a mahlstick.

Upgrading tips

• Invest in a few high-quality sable rounds for detail and glazing.

• Buy single-pigment artist-grade paints for color purity.

• Add an alkyd medium for faster drying if you need quicker turnarounds.

What to avoid

• Cheap brushes that lose hairs and have poor snap; low-pigment student-only paints for finished works; mixing unknown solvent blends without labeling.

13. Practical studio workflows using these tools

Underpainting and blocking-in

• Tools: large hog-bristle flats, toned ground (thin wash), and a limited palette.

• Purpose: establish values and composition quickly; use lean mixtures.

Modeling and glazing

• Tools: sable brushes, glazing medium (linseed or walnut oil blends), glass palette.

• Purpose: build depth through translucent layers.

Impasto and finishing

• Tools: palette knives, heavy bodied paints, cold wax or heavy gel medium.

• Purpose: emphasize light and form with sculptural paint, finished with varnish after full drying.

Corrections and reworking

• Tools: scrapers, sandpaper, small flats, solvent baths for brushes.

• Purpose: refine edges, correct compositional errors, and adjust values.

14. Common mistakes and how tools help fix them

• Too much solvent early on (cracking later): Follow fat-over-lean; use less solvent in final layers or add mediums instead.

• Muddy color from overmixing: Keep colors separate on the palette, clean brushes between transitions, and use a clean mixing area.

• Flattened paint surface: Add impasto elements with palette knives or heavy gels to introduce texture and dynamic highlights.

• Poor preservation: Use archival supports, proper primers, and avoid premature varnishing.

15. FAQ

Q: What are the essential tools for oil painting beginners?

A: A basic set of oil paints, hog-bristle and sable brushes, a palette and palette knife, linseed oil, an odorless solvent, stretched canvas or panels, and an easel or tabletop support.

Q: Do I need to use turpentine for oil painting?

A: No. Odorless mineral spirits (OMS) and other low-toxicity solvent alternatives are commonly used. Many artists also minimize solvent use by employing alkyd mediums and solvent-free gels.

Q: What brushes are best for oil paints?

A: Hog bristle for thick paint and texture; sable (or high-quality synthetics) for fine detail and glazing. Flat, filbert, and round shapes cover most needs.

Q: How do palette knives differ from brushes in oil painting?

A: Palette knives apply paint in thick, impasto layers and create distinct edges and textures; brushes allow smoother transitions and fine detail.

Q: How long should I wait before varnishing an oil painting?

A: Traditional oil paintings often require months (6–12) before final varnishing; paintings with alkyds may be ready sooner. Always ensure paint is fully cured to avoid trapping solvents.

Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci,
Public domain,

via Wikimedia Commons

16. Final tips for developing tool fluency

• Practice with purpose: Use one new tool per painting to explore its unique effects — for example, paint a study using only knives.

• Maintain tools: Regularly clean brushes and store canvases correctly to extend longevity.

• Document recipes: Keep a notebook of medium recipes and drying behavior to build repeatable processes.

• Experiment safely: Try different solvents and mediums in small quantities and with proper ventilation.

Libyan Sibyl -
 Part of Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo, Public domain,
 via Wikimedia Commons

Conclusion

The tools used for oil painting shape not only how a painting looks but how it’s made and how it endures. 

From the selection of pigments and brushes to the choice of supports, mediums, and varnishes, each decision influences color, texture, drying time, and longevity. 

Whether you’re a beginner assembling your first kit or an advanced painter refining techniques, understanding the artistic uses of each tool will deepen your control and expand your creative vocabulary.

Mastery of oil painting tools comes from both deliberate practice and the willingness to experiment. Use the information in this guide to tailor a toolkit that matches your artistic goals — and remember that the best tool is the one that helps you say what you want to say with paint.