If you are looking for original oil paintings for sale, the first question is what "original" means online. In this guide it means a painting that is hand-painted in oil on canvas, not a printed copy. Below you will find the main types of oil paintings you can buy from Rupasya, what each suits, and how to pick one that fits your home or office.
The short version:
- Original means hand-painted oil on canvas, not a print.
- The main types are horses, village life, wildlife and portraits.
- Size the painting to about two thirds of the furniture width below it.
- Ask for close-ups and read the delivery and returns terms before you pay.
What is an oil painting?
Oil paint is made by mixing pigment, the coloured powder, with a drying oil such as linseed oil. An artist applies it to a surface, most often primed canvas, in layers. Oil paint dries slowly, which lets the painter blend colours and build depth, and thick strokes can leave real texture on the surface. Oil has been the main medium for European painters since the 1400s, and Van Gogh's The Starry Night (1889) is among the best known oil paintings. For the full story, see our history of oil painting.
Types of original oil paintings you can buy
Rupasya's oil painting collection is organised by subject. Here are the main groups.
7 horse paintings
The seven running horses are one of the most popular subjects for Indian living rooms and offices. They are usually read as a symbol of speed, strength and progress, and many people hang them following Vastu guidance, which is a matter of belief and varies between guides. The range includes 7 horse paintings and also compositions with 2, 3 or 5 horses and single horses. Start with our guide to which 7 horse painting is best for your home, then browse the 7 horse Vastu paintings.
Village life paintings
These show rural scenes such as bullock carts, harvests and people at the well. They bring warmth and a sense of home, and suit family living rooms, dining areas and bedrooms. Read the village life painting guide and see the village life paintings.
Wildlife paintings
Tigers, a tiger with a cub, a white tiger, and a lion and lioness are among the wildlife subjects in the range. A large wildlife painting gives a study, office or modern living room a strong focal point. Browse the tiger oil paintings.
Portrait paintings
A portrait painting shows a person or a group. The range includes Indian lady portraits, Indian couples, an Indian man, women and mother-and-child compositions. They add character and a story to a room. See the Indian lady portrait paintings. If you would like a portrait of your own family, ask about a portrait from photo.
Sizes and prices: what to expect
As of October 2026, the size filter on the oil painting collection runs from about 23 x 16 inches to 55 x 32 inches, and the paintings on the first page were listed from about Rs 17,000 to Rs 73,000. The price depends mainly on size, detail and the time the artist spends on the work, so a larger or more detailed painting costs more. Prices change, so check the live listings. A very low price for a very large "oil painting" is a warning sign, because it is often a print.
How to check that an oil painting is original
- Look at the surface. Real oil paint sits in layers, with ridges and different thicknesses. A print is flat with an even sheen.
- Ask for close-ups of the brushwork, the edges and the back of the canvas.
- Ask who painted it and where, and what materials were used.
- Check the certificate. A certificate of authenticity is useful when it names the specific painting and who issued it.
- Read the delivery and returns terms before you pay.
Our complete buyer's guide to original oil paintings online in India covers each step in detail.
Choosing the right size for your room
A common mistake is choosing a painting that is too small. As a guide, the painting should be about two thirds of the width of the furniture beneath it. For a 6-foot sofa, that is roughly 48 inches. Hang it with its centre at about 57 inches (145 cm) from the floor, and leave about 6 to 8 inches above the sofa. Our guide to how to choose the perfect oil painting for your home covers each room. If you cannot find the right size, ask about a custom painting.
Oil or another medium?
Oil is not the only good choice. Acrylic dries faster and suits bold, crisp work, while oil gives soft blends and rich layers. Our oil painting vs acrylic comparison explains the differences honestly, and why oil paintings are still valued covers what oil does well and where it has limits.
Which type suits which room?
| Type | Mood | Rooms that suit it |
|---|---|---|
| 7 horse and other horse paintings | Energetic, forward-moving | Living room, office, study |
| Village life | Warm, nostalgic, calm | Family room, dining area, bedroom |
| Tigers and other wildlife | Strong, dramatic | Study, office, modern living room |
| Portraits | Personal, characterful | Living room, hallway, bedroom |
These are starting points, not rules. Choose the subject you will enjoy seeing every day, then check that the size and colours work with your wall. Dark walls look best with brighter paintings, and busy rooms with quieter ones.
Buying an oil painting as a gift
An oil painting can make a lasting gift, but it is also a personal choice, so keep a few things in mind. Pick a subject the person already likes, and avoid religious or symbolic subjects unless you know they will welcome them. Check the size against the wall where it will hang, and read the delivery and returns terms first, because custom paintings are generally not returnable. If you are unsure, message us before you order.
Caring for your oil painting
Hang the painting away from direct sunlight, heat and damp walls, and avoid big changes in humidity. Dust it gently with a soft dry brush. Do not use water or household cleaners, and do not touch the paint surface. Oil paint can crack and yellow with age, so good conditions matter. For deeper cleaning or damage, ask a professional conservator.
What Rupasya says about its paintings
According to Rupasya, the paintings are handmade in Udaipur in oil on cotton canvas, using artist-grade oil colours, and each comes with a certificate of authenticity. Delivery is free across India, and the site also offers worldwide delivery. Dispatch times and return terms are set out on the shipping policy, return and refund policy and international shipping pages. Please read them before you order, because terms can change.
Common confusions when you buy original oil paintings
- "Original" means hand-painted, not necessarily one of a kind. An artist can paint a popular subject more than once. Ask how the painting is made.
- A photo may not show your exact painting. Ask for a photo of the piece you will receive.
- Oil paintings are not maintenance-free. Keep them out of direct sun and damp.
- Vastu is belief, not a rule. Guides differ, so choose a painting you enjoy first. See our 7 horse painting Vastu guide.
Browse original oil paintings for sale
When you are ready, see the full range of original handmade oil paintings or read more in the Oil Paintings knowledge hub. If you have a size, a room or a subject in mind, you can also message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "original oil painting" mean when buying online?
It should mean a painting hand-painted in oil on canvas, not a printed copy. Ask the seller to confirm this in writing, who painted it, and where. Close-up photos should show raised, uneven brushwork. Note that an artist can paint a popular subject more than once, so original does not always mean one of a kind.
What types of oil paintings does Rupasya sell?
The collection is organised by subject. It includes 7 horse paintings and other horse compositions, village life scenes, wildlife such as tigers and a lion and lioness, and portraits of Indian ladies, couples, men and mother-and-child. If you need a particular size or subject, you can ask about a custom painting.
How much do original oil paintings cost?
Price depends on size, detail and the artist's time. In October 2026, the first page of Rupasya's oil painting collection listed paintings from about Rs 17,000 to Rs 73,000, in sizes from about 23 x 16 to 55 x 32 inches. A very low price for a large oil painting often means a print. Check live listings.
How do I know the oil painting will fit my wall?
Measure the furniture beneath it and aim for a painting about two thirds of that width. A 6-foot sofa suits a painting around 48 inches wide, hung with its centre near 57 inches from the floor. Mark the size on the wall with painter's tape before you order, and check whether the listed size includes a frame.
Does the painting come with a certificate of authenticity?
According to Rupasya, each painting comes with a certificate of authenticity. A certificate is most useful when it names the specific painting and who issued it, so check that it does. Always read the shipping and return policies before ordering, since terms for delivery, damage claims and custom work can differ.
