Oil Painting Tips For Beginners
by: Ralph Serpe
Start your oil paintings with an acrylic
underpainting - When you start an oil painting
using oils, it can take some time for that
initial layer to dry. Starting your painting
with an acrylic underpainting however is
a wonderful time saver as acrylic paint
dries quickly and oil paint can be applied
over the acrylic.
Make certain you have good lighting - I didn't
realize how important good lighting was until
I painted outdoors for the first time. Good
lighting brings out the color and also lessens
the strain on your eyes. If you can, paint
in a place that gets plenty of natural sunlight.
If you cannot afford this luxury, purchase
a good indoor light. Check out http://www.ottlite.com/
for a great selection of lighting products.
Make sure you have good ventilation - If
you are using materials like oil painting
thinners and cleaners in your studio; make
sure you have good ventilation. Some of these
chemicals can be quite toxic so use caution
when working with these products. Consider
using a water miscible paint like Grumbacher
Max Oil Paints. Max Oils can be diluted with
water thereby eliminating the need for solvents.
Fat over lean - Follow this rule and you
will reduce the chance of your paint cracking.
Each layer of your oil painting should have
a higher oil content then the ones below it.
To create the illusion of distance in your
paintings paint receding objects with cooler
less intense color. Objects that advance are
warmer and more intense.
If you are feeling uninspired don't get discouraged.
Try taking a walk outside, breath in the air,
look around at the beautiful earth God created.
Try playing music while you are painting.
You will be surprised how music can affect
your painting. Visit a museum or local gallery.
Viewing other works of art can really get
your creative juices flowing.
When holding your brush avoid holding your
brush like a pencil too close to the bristles.
Oil brushes are made long for a reason so
that you can paint further away from the canvas.
Practice holding the brush toward the middle
and end of the handle.
Maintain a clean organized working environment
- Get yourself into the habit of keeping your
work area clean and organized. Have an abundant
supply of rags or paper towels nearby. Get
a few glass jars for storing mediums, solvents
and your used brushes while painting.
Brush Selection and Care - You should probably
invest in a good set of brushes. Cheap brushes
are not recommended as they shed their bristles
quite easily while painting. I prefer working
with Hog Hair brushes, but oil painters also
use sable and synthetic sable. Avoid nylon
brushes, as these are better suited for acrylic
paint. My brushes include a variety of flats
sizes #3, #6, #8, #12, a #4 fan, and a few
small rounds for detail work. Selections vary
from artist to artist, depending on painting
style usually, but the above mentioned work
fine for me. Take excellent care of your brushes.
This is very important, especially if you
have an expensive set of brushes. You may
want to do a search online for more in depth
brush care instructions. If you do not clean
and store your brushes properly, you will
ruin them, simple as that. Use a quality brush
cleaner and preserver that you can purchase
online or at your local art store.
I hope these oil painting tips have helped.
Oil paint is not the easiest medium to work
with. I recall the first panting I ever completed.
It was a complete nightmare, and I almost
threw in the towel. I have been painting for
over 5 years now and I am still learning and
improving every time I pick up the brush.
Don't give up. With time and practice it will
become easier and more rewarding. |
