Things to Know When Painting with Oil Paint?

1. 86

   Shil1978posted 12 years ago

   Things to Know When Painting with Oil Paint?

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2. 60

   kccampposted 12 years ago

   Not sure which type of oil you are referring to?
   
   But if it is fine art, and not painting a house.....I would say, "fat over lean". Reason being is that you don't want the bottem layers of paint to dry slower, then the top layers. It will result in cracks appearing over time.
   
   There are many things to consider, when painting with oils. Some like to paint with just straight colour out of the tube. Others like to use a medium, such as turpentine or linseed oil. It makes it easier to handle the paint, for blending etc.
   
   The choice of support to work on. Stretched canvas, wood panel....how it is gesso'd. Also I think learning the property of the paint themselves help, whether they are transparent or opaque in nature. Transparent colours are good to use for undercoatings. Where opaque colours are good on top layers, depending on painting style.
   
   Knowing the colour wheel helps. What are the primary colours...red, yellow and blue. You can create other colours from them. Complimentory colours are good to know. Often instead of using black to darken, just use the complimentory colour to darken with...eg yellow's complimentory is violet.
   
   Last thing I will comment on is, don't use a pencil (graphite) to do the preliminary sketch. Charcoal is better, as graphite can leach through the paint, over time. Almost a strike through effect.
   
   Sorry for the long, book like answer here.
   It's hard to stop....lol

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3. 67

   Amy Bechererposted 12 years ago

   It's a learning process.  My daughter gave me canvases, paints and brushes several Christmases ago and I started painting. Oil painting is forgiving as the paints take considerable time to dry. Every painting I've done has taught me something new. The internet offers help in videos on all aspects of creating art.
   
   One lesson I would pass on, that I've experienced, is that art is consuming. It is an  endeavor where I lose track of time.  Art requires the commitment of time and focus. When I'm not inspired, I don't paint. I would also suggest to avoid getting hung up on perfection.  If everyone painted the same, if everyone liked the same art, it would not be subjective, unique or interpretive.  After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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