How to Improve Your Oil Painting — Simple Tips for Beginners
- May 14
- 2 min read
When you first begin oil painting, progress can feel uneven. Some paintings seem to work, others don’t, and it’s not always clear why.
Improvement doesn’t come from doing more complicated work — it comes from understanding a few key principles and applying them consistently.
1. Focus on Tone Before Colour
One of the most common beginner mistakes is concentrating too much on colour.
In reality, tone — the lightness and darkness of a painting — is what gives structure and depth.
If the tonal relationships are working, the painting will hold together even with limited colour.
2. Use Less, Not More
It’s tempting to use lots of paint, brushes and colours early on.
But simplifying your approach helps you see more clearly.
Working with a limited palette and fewer tools allows you to understand what each decision is doing.
3. Step Back Regularly
When you’re close to a painting, it’s easy to lose perspective.
Stepping back — even for a few seconds — helps you see the whole image more objectively.
This is often when problems become clearer, and solutions easier.
4. Don’t Rush the Process
Oil paint moves slowly, and that’s part of its strength.
Allowing the painting to develop gradually — rather than trying to resolve everything quickly — leads to more considered results.
5. Accept That Not Every Painting Will Work
Improvement comes through repetition.
Some paintings won’t succeed, and that’s part of the process. Each one contributes to your understanding, even if the result isn’t what you expected.
Learning with Guidance
While it’s possible to improve alone, working in a structured environment can accelerate progress.
Feedback at the right moment often makes the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward.
Oil Painting Classes in London
Allan Storer runs oil painting classes in London at Cass Art Kingston and from his studio in Twickenham.
The sessions are designed to help beginners develop confidence through practice, with guidance tailored to each individual.
Improving in oil painting doesn’t require complexity — it requires attention.
By focusing on a few key principles and working consistently, progress becomes more natural and more rewarding.