"I'm a beginner to painting. I'm a mother of two and thought painting would be a good way to have some time for myself, to do something that I like, so I took up oil painting. I did one and it came out nice, in the second attempt, and I'm happy. But I was wondering if it is acceptable in oil paints for the brushstrokes to appear on the painting?" -- Anoushkasri
Yes, it is acceptable to have brushstrokes showing. Whether you do or not, and whether you like it or not, is a matter of personal preference and style. Neither is better or more right than the other.
Some artists work hard to eliminate every brushstroke blending and glazing. Others use brushmarks and texture as an integral part of their paintings, as part of an expressive or painterly style. A painting isn't a photo so you don't have to try to hide what you've used to create it -- unless you wish to!
Vincent van Gogh is possibly the artist best known for having strong visible brushstrokes. Take a look at this detail of his beard in a self-portrait and you'll see how he's used brushstrokes to convey a feeling of the texture of his beard. Same for the straw hat he's wearing.
For some practice in painting in an expressive style, try this Expressive Brushstrokes Art Worksheet.
