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The process of oil painting differing from artist to artist, but frequently includes certain steps. First, the artist arranges the surface. Although surfaces are like linoleum, wooden panel, paper, slate, pressed wood, and cardboard have been used, the most popular surface since the 16th century has been canvas, although a lot of artists used panel through the 17th century and beyond. Before that it was panel, which is more expensive, heavier, less easy to convey, and prone to warp or split in poor conditions. For fine detail, however, the total solidity of a wooden panel gives an advantage.

The artist may sketch an outline of their subject prior to applying pigment to the surface. "Pigment" might be any number of natural substances with color, such as sulphur for yellow or cobalt for blue. The pigment is mixed with oil, generally linseed oil but other oils may be used as well. The variety of oils dry different creating assorted effects.