Can You Use Oil Paints Straight From the Tube?

Oil paint is usually not used straight from the tube for practical reasons. It is too thick to apply and can take too much time to dry. However, if you have a clear vision of your painting, nothing should stop you from experimenting with the technique.

You can use oil paints straight from the tube. While the paint will be thicker and not dry as fast, the color will be deeper. The resulting painting will not be layered or detailed. However, it will have a thick, textured surface. The painting area will also be free from chemicals. 

In this article, I’ll explain the implications of not using mediums and solvents and discuss the best techniques for using oil paint straight from the tube. Can You Use Oil Paints Straight From the Tube? Let’s dive into it!

Factors To Consider Before Deciding if You Should Use a Medium

You must set your painting goals straight to decide whether to use a medium. Below are some factors you need to consider before making a decision. 

Painting Techniques 

You don’t need to use a medium if you wish to paint in an alla prima or ‘wet-on-wet’ manner. This painting style is excellent for beginners because you do it in one sitting, and it does not require the use of a medium. It’s the best technique to capture the impression of a landscape or a quick portrait.

Another good reason for painting without a medium is to create unique textures. The impasto technique uses thick paint and creates a raised surface. You can apply paint with a palette knife or a sturdy brush and keep the brush strokes visible.

The Subject of the Painting

Painting a portrait requires a great deal of attention to detail. If you’re using oil paint without a medium, the paint will not be easily malleable. This is one example that shows the importance of considering the subject of the painting when choosing the technique. 

On the other hand, if you have a moment of inspiration and have decided to paint some still life or landscape, you might not need a medium. Placing thick paint on top of one another will allow the colors to blend, and you won’t need to wait for them to dry.

Drying Time

Oil paint dries through the oxidation process. However, if you use a medium or a solvent, the drying process is faster because of the evaporation of the diluent. Therefore, mediums reduce viscosity and speed up the drying of the oil paint. The increased drying speed can be good or bad, depending on what you’re looking for in oil paint. 

If the color dries faster, you can layer your painting without the color cracking. To create layers without cracking the paint, you must also manipulate the thickness of the color. The rule for oil painting is ‘fat over lean,’ which implies using thin paint in the first layers and increasing the consistency as you approach your final layers. 

On the other hand, thin layers are quicker to dry than thick layers. The more medium you use, the thinner the paint, and the less manipulation you can do afterward. This might not work for people who like to make changes to their paintings over time. 

Dealing With Chemicals

A significant reason why some people find oil painting hard includes dealing with solvents, mediums, and chemicals. The fumes from most mediums are toxic or have a strong odor that some people might find repulsive. Using oil paint straight from the tube is a good idea if you want to create a safe and healthy painting environment. 

Additional concerns include buying chemicals, mixing them at the right ratio, and storing them properly after use. If your goal is to have fun with oil paint while learning how it behaves without any chemicals, you should go for it.

Can You Do Oil Painting Without Solvents or Thinners?

You can do oil painting without solvents or thinners. Oil paint has a creamy and smooth consistency when used right out of the tube. When you use a solvent, it dilutes the paint, making it thin and transparent. On the other hand, the medium adds oil to the paint, making it more creamy and vivid. 

In addition to changing the texture of the paint, you can also use solvents for cleaning. A simple replacement for toxic solvents is soap, especially dish soap. You can wash your brushes or clean up your oil paint mess by mixing dish soap with water.

Also, keep in mind that some colors naturally dry faster, so find the fastest-drying colors and apply them first. Some brands are also more liquid than others. Generally speaking, if you’re a beginner or wish to paint straight from the tube, you should buy student-grade paint.

If you want to avoid mixing chemicals but still have a good paint flow, you should paint using watercolor or acrylic. These colors can be watered down and used in thin, almost transparent layers.

How To Use Oil Paint Straight From the Tube

You need a nice sturdy brush or a palette knife to use oil paint straight from the tube. Squeeze the paint onto a palette. You can then use your brush or knife to either mix or apply paint on the canvas. 

Although the paint will be thick, it doesn’t mean you cannot spread it thinly. Make sure that the texture of the canvas is not lost. Otherwise, the paint will not only dry longer, but it will not last long.

Start with a thinner application and gradually increase the thickness. You should not start the underpainting by adding thick layers of paint. If you do, you will not be able to build up paint, and the paint will most definitely crack.

Final Thoughts

Oil paint is mainly used for its versatility, as it easily adjusts to the artist’s vision. You can make it more transparent or opaque, helping it dry faster or more slowly. If you require thick, slow-drying rich colors, using oil paint straight from the tube might be your best choice.