I just wrapped up my very first oil painting, and this bison was the one that made it to the finish line first. I’m really happy with how he turned out—he’s got this tough, battle-worn energy, like a warrior standing strong against the plains after the fight.
Embracing Oils: A Whole New World
Diving into oil painting techniques was both exhilarating and a little intimidating. I’ve been so used to acrylic painting, where things dry quickly and there’s a sense of urgency in every brushstroke. But oil paints require patience. They force you to slow down, to let the paint do its thing. And honestly? I fell in love with that process.
The Process: From Blank Canvas to Bison
The moment I spread that first stroke of oil paint on canvas, I got chills.
- I started with a rich blue base and slowly backed the shapes out.
- Then came the loose, expressive brushwork to map out the form.
- Layering thick fur texture, defining the weight of the stance, and working with deep, moody colors made everything come to life.
It felt less like painting and more like sculpting with color—carving the image out of the canvas.
Lessons Learned & Areas to Improve
This painting was such a learning experience! Here are a few things I want to focus on as I continue working with oil paints:
- Keeping my paint clean (because wow, oil paint travels everywhere!)
- Making stronger background vs. foreground choices
- Letting transparent layers shine instead of covering them up
I originally planned for a more luminous, layered look, but I ended up with a more opaque painting than I expected. That said, I still love how this bison turned out—his resilience and power shine through.
Looking Back (and Forward!)
Now, when I look at this bison oil painting, I feel proud—not just of the painting itself, but of the way I pushed myself into something new.
Growth happens in those moments of discomfort, where we take a leap and trust that we’ll find our footing along the way.
The whole process of working with oils has been incredible—I’m completely hooked! There’s something about the way the paint moves and blends that I can feel in my bones. This is just the beginning of my oil painting journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!