My First Oil Painting Experience: A New Love for the Medium

Stepping into the world of oil painting for the first time felt like opening a door to endless creative possibilities. As someone who has worked with watercolor, acrylics, and digital media, I’ve always admired the richness and depth that oil paintings offer. But actually working with oils? That was a whole new experience—one that I instantly fell in love with.

For my first oil painting, I decided to work with a limited palette and focus on values rather than colors. Right away, I noticed how differently oils behave compared to any other medium I’ve used. Unlike watercolor, which demands a certain level of commitment with every stroke, oils give you time. The ability to blend, sculpt, and manipulate the paint directly on the canvas is both forgiving and fascinating. I found myself pushing and pulling the paint, reshaping details as I worked—almost as if I were sculpting with color.

This experience has completely changed the way I think about painting. It’s made me realize that oils might be the perfect fit for the kind of work I want to create. As a live wedding painter, my goal is to capture emotions, movement, and light in a way that feels both expressive and timeless. Oils seem to offer everything I could hope for in a medium—depth, texture, and flexibility.

I know I have so much more to learn, but that excites me! Every brushstroke teaches me something new, and I can’t wait to refine my technique and grow into the best live painter for you. This is only the beginning, and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to Stephanie Gaffney for creating such an incredible industry-specific class. Being part of this three-month journey is already pushing me in ways I never expected, and I am committed to making the most of every lesson. Stephanie’s knowledge, guidance, and encouragement are inspiring me to take my skills to the ultimate level, and I can’t wait to see how much growth happens during this time. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your expertise and passion with us—I’m beyond excited for what’s ahead!

Here’s to many more oil paintings to come!