Oil painting has a long history, but if you think it’s stuck in the past, think again.

Today, many artists play with oil paint in ways that make you look twice — breaking rules, twisting techniques, and inviting you to experience this classic medium through a fresh lens.

Let’s dive into the stories of some artists who’ve shaken up oil painting and shown it still has plenty of surprises for you to discover.

Jenny Saville

Jenny Saville challenges what we expect when we look at the human form. You won’t find polished, idealized figures in her work; instead, she paints flesh with all its raw, unfiltered reality. Using thick, creamy oil paint, she builds up layers and scrapes them away, creating a sense of movement and vulnerability. You can almost feel the weight and texture of skin, muscles, and bone. If you want to understand how she does this, try experimenting with heavy-bodied oil paint and palette knives. Push and pull the paint like a sculptor works with clay — don’t be afraid to get messy. Saville’s upcoming retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery will be a chance to see this process up close and appreciate how she brings emotion to life on canvas.

Frank Auerbach

Frank Auerbach takes oil painting beyond flat images by layering paint so thickly that his works almost jump off the canvas. His intense approach means each brushstroke adds weight and texture, turning portraits and city scenes into tactile experiences. When you look at his paintings of London’s streets, you don’t just see buildings; you sense the atmosphere, the bustle, the mood of the place. To try a bit of Auerbach’s magic yourself, start with a small canvas and don’t be afraid to apply oil paint in thick, deliberate strokes. Use brushes and knives to sculpt the paint and build up your own rich, textured landscape or portrait.

Helen Frankenthaler

She introduced a technique that feels almost like magic — pouring diluted oil paint onto an unprimed canvas and letting it soak in naturally. This “soak stain” method by Helen Frankenthaler creates soft, transparent layers where the color blends with the fabric itself. It’s a far cry from thick impasto or careful brushwork; instead, you get a dreamy, atmospheric effect that invites viewers to explore the subtle shifts in tone and texture. If you want to experiment with this, try mixing your oil paint with a lot of medium or solvent and apply it to an unprimed or raw canvas. Watch how the paint moves and absorbs — sometimes the best effects happen by simply letting go and letting the paint do its thing.

Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock’s name probably rings a bell when you think of abstract art, but did you know he also played a major role in revolutionizing oil painting? Pollock abandoned traditional brushes and instead dripped and splattered oil and synthetic resin paints onto large canvases laid on the floor. His approach turned painting into a physical dance, where every gesture, flick, and drip captured raw energy. You can try a bit of this by grabbing some oil paint and experimenting with unconventional tools — sticks, syringes, or even just your hands. Focus on movement and rhythm rather than precision, and let your body guide the paint across the surface. This active, unplanned style changes how you connect with oil paint and the creative process itself.

Louise Giovanelli

Louise Giovanelli brings a fresh voice to oil painting by mixing hyper-realistic details with abstract swaths of color and form. Her portraits and still lifes draw you in with their clarity but then pull you away with unexpected twists and layered brushwork. This blend challenges your eyes and mind, making you question what’s real and what’s imagined. To get started with this style, focus on perfecting small, detailed sections with thin layers of oil paint, then contrast those with broader, freer brushstrokes using thicker paint. This interplay creates depth and intrigue, inviting viewers like you to pause and explore the layers.

Oil paint remains a living, breathing medium thanks to artists who refuse to be confined by tradition. Next time you pick up a brush or admire a painting, think about the possibilities waiting in every drop of oil paint and every stroke on the canvas. Who knows? You might discover a new way to express yourself in this timeless yet endlessly fresh medium yourself.