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. About the Author Ralph Serpe is Webmaster and Cofounder of Creative Spotlite - http://www.creativespotlite.com,
a free educational art and craft community. Visit Creative Spotlite today
for more free art
lessons.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/14571.html
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/14571.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
Some other articles by Ralph Serpe | |
|