Creating an oil painting or vexel art effect in Photoshop traditionally requires deep knowledge of the program, drawing skills, and many hours of meticulous work. However, with the advent of specialized actions, this process has become accessible to everyone. Oil Vexel Photoshop Action is a tool that allows you to turn any photo into a work of art with an oil vexel painting effect in just a few clicks.
In this review, we will take a detailed look at what this action is, what its technical characteristics are, how to use it, how it differs from analogs, and what real users say about it. If you are a photographer, designer, marketer, or just an enthusiast creating unique content, this information will help you make a decision about purchasing or downloading.
What is Oil Vexel Photoshop Action
An Action in Photoshop is a recorded sequence of operations that can be applied to any image with a single click. Oil Vexel Photoshop Action automates the process of creating an effect that combines two popular styles:
- Oil painting — simulation of texture and color reproduction of oil paints.
- Vexel art — a technique combining pixel graphics with vector elements, creating smooth, stylized images with clear contours and rich colors.
The result of the action is a stylized image that looks like a professional digital painting. However, the final result is not a vector (it is not vectorized), but remains a raster image with an organized layer structure for further refinement.
The action is designed for photographers and designers who want to quickly give their work a unique artistic look without having to learn complex techniques.




Key Features and Technical Requirements
Before downloading the action, it is important to make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| File format | ATN (Photoshop Action File) |
| Compatibility | Photoshop CS3 and newer |
| Language support | All languages |
| Type of action | Non-destructive |
| Required filter | Oil Paint (available in Photoshop CS6, CC, CC 2015.5+, with limitations in CC 2019) |
| Recommended photo size | 2000x3000px or 3000x2000px, 72 dpi |
| Additional | 10 color options, help file, 24/7 support |
Important note on Oil Paint compatibility: The Oil Paint filter is available in Photoshop CS6 and newer versions. However, in Photoshop CC 2019, Adobe changed the implementation of this filter, which may cause issues. If you are using CC 2019 or newer, make sure the filter is available in the Filter > Stylize > Oil Paint menu. If it is not available, you may need to update Photoshop or use alternative methods.
How to use Oil Vexel Photoshop Action
The process of working with the action is extremely simple and does not require special skills. Below is a step-by-step guide.
Step 1. Preparing the image
Open a photo in Photoshop. For best results, it is recommended to use images with a resolution of 1000 to 3000 pixels in width or height. The ideal size is 2000x3000px or 3000x2000px at 72 dpi.
To change the size, select the Crop tool and enter the required values in the W (width), H (height) and Resolution fields in the top panel.
Step 2. Creating the "paint" layer
Create a new layer (Layer > New > Layer) and name it paint strictly in lowercase letters (Latin). This is important because the action looks for a layer with exactly that name.
Step 3. Painting the area
Select a soft brush and paint the areas of the image to which you want to apply the effect. Usually this is a portrait of a person or the main object of the composition.
Step 4. Running the action
Turn off the visibility of the "paint" layer (turn off the "eye" next to the layer), but keep it selected. Then open the Actions panel (Window > Actions), select the Oil Vexel Photoshop Action and click the Play button.
Step 5. Adjusting the result
After the action completes, you will get a fully layered result. Each element (outlines, colors, shadows) is on a separate layer, which makes it easy to make changes. Also available are 10 different color options — just turn on the visibility of the desired color layer.
Important for users of non-English versions of Photoshop: The action was tested and works in the English version of Photoshop. If you are using Photoshop in another language, temporarily switch the interface language to English before running the action. After completion, you can switch back. Instructions for changing the language are usually included with the action.
Advantages of using Oil Vexel Photoshop Action
Why choose this action? Here are the main advantages:
- Time saving. Instead of hours of manual work, you get results in seconds.
- Accessibility for beginners. No drawing or vexel graphics skills required.
- High quality. The action creates professional, detailed effects.
- Flexibility of settings. The organized layer structure allows you to refine the result indefinitely.
- 10 color presets. Ability to quickly change the color scheme.
- Non-destructive editing. The original image is not altered.
- 24/7 support. The author provides technical support.
- Versatility. Suitable for covers, posters, flyers, advertising, social media posts and more.
Comparison with analogs
There are many actions on the market for creating similar effects. To help you make a choice, we compared Oil Vexel Photoshop Action with the most popular alternatives.
| Feature | Oil Vexel Photoshop Action | Vexel Art Photoshop Action | Vexel Oil Portrait Photoshop Action | Artistic Vexel Photoshop Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$4-5 (one-time purchase) | ~$4-5 | ~$4-5 | ~$4-5 |
| Compatibility | CS3+ | CC+ | CC+ | CC+ |
| Non-destructive action | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of color options | 10 | Not specified | Yes | Not specified |
| Video tutorial | No | No | Yes | No |
| Language support | All languages | English | English | English |
| Oil Paint filter | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Features | Simplicity, 10 colors | Realistic look | Video guide, support | Simplicity |
As can be seen from the table, Oil Vexel Photoshop Action stands out with support for all Photoshop languages and compatibility with CS3, making it accessible to a wider audience. At the same time, it offers 10 color options, which is a good addition to the basic functionality.
User reviews
The action has received positive reviews from users who have already appreciated its capabilities. Here is what real buyers say:
\u{201c}"Outstanding action! I love the fact that I can remove the background to transparent after I flatten the image. I do T-shirt design and I'm always looking for more ways to put out good art. This action gives me some great options. Thanks!"
This review highlights an important feature: the action creates a result that can be easily used for T-shirt design and other commercial products due to the ability to remove the background.
Possible problems and their solutions
Some users report an error Oil Paint is not currently set when running the action. This is due to the absence or unavailability of the Oil Paint filter in the current version of Photoshop. Solution:
- Check if the filter is available in the Filter > Stylize > Oil Paint menu.
- If the filter is missing or inactive, update Photoshop to the latest version.
- If you are using Photoshop CC 2019, note that the filter may not work correctly. In this case, it is recommended to use CS6 or CC 2020+.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Which versions of Photoshop are supported?
- The action is compatible with Photoshop CS3 and all newer versions.
- Is the Oil Paint plugin required for the action to work?
- Yes, the action requires the Oil Paint filter, which is built into Photoshop CS6 and newer.
- Can the action be used on images of any size?
- The recommended size is from 1000 to 3000 pixels in width or height. Optimal is 2000x3000px or 3000x2000px at 72 dpi.
- How to change the Photoshop language for the action?
- If you are using a non-English version, switch the interface language to English before running the action. After completion, you can switch back. Instructions are included with the action.
- What to do if the error 'Oil Paint is not currently set' occurs?
- Make sure the Oil Paint filter is available in the Filter > Stylize menu. If not, update Photoshop or use CS6 / CC 2020+.
- Can the result be used for commercial purposes?
- Yes, the action comes with a commercial license (when purchased on GraphicRiver or Creative Fabrica).
Conclusion
Oil Vexel Photoshop Action is a powerful and affordable tool for everyone who wants to quickly create eye-catching images in the style of oil vexel painting. It suits both professional designers and beginners, thanks to its ease of use and the absence of the need for special skills.
Key advantages of the action:
- Compatibility with Photoshop CS3 and newer.
- Works in all languages.
- 10 color options.
- Non-destructive action.
- Full customization of the result.
If you are looking for a way to speed up your creative process and add uniqueness to your work, Oil Vexel Photoshop Action is an excellent choice.
Oil Vexel Photoshop Action (ATN)8.1 MBTap to react


