Oil Painting Tips

oil painting brush strokes

The process of painting with varnishes is popularly known as oil painting. Varnishes are a combination of oil, like linseed oil with resin, such as pine resin. Apart from linseed oil, oils like poppy seed oil, walnut oil and safflower oil can be used. Oil paintings provide extremely versatile color combinations. To paint a thick layer, oil paints can be used in impasto, which is an application of texture where the brush marks are visible. Oil paints can even be used for a thin layered image such as glazing.

Here are some oil painting tips to make your painting experience more enjoyable and disciplined.

• The selection of a non-porous palette is of vital importance. It would be very useful if you put it in the same order. You will be able to dip more instinctively making a good flow for painting. Always use a good amount of white. Arranging the colors along the edge of the palette is considered good practice and provides a space in the center for mixing.

• It is always wise to invest in good brushes. A cheap brush set often will leave bristles on the painting. Sometimes it is very difficult to clean the brush. It is suggested that you mix some thinner along with a little liquid soap, dipping the brush and then wiping it with a newspaper or lint-free paper towel.

• Sometimes it becomes a major problem to find the appropriate color combination for a lighter or darker shade. The most common colors of the spectrum that we know are purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. The problems would be easily solved once we realize the properties of colors value, intensity, temperature and hue. The intensity or purity of a color indicates the brightness or dullness of that color. For example, the color orange, when used directly from the paint tube will have a greater intensity. The value of the color refers to the darkness and lightness of the color. Colors range in temperature from warm yellows to cool violets. Hues, such as apples and cherries, are shadows or shades of red. Avoid Ivory Black for drawing or sketching as it dries much slower than the rest of the painting.

• To prevent cracks in the paint always follow the fat over lean concept, the proportion of oil should be increased for each additional layer because the lower layers of oil penetrate the upper layers and can cause cracking.

• It is much better to not allow oil paintings to be dried in the dark, as it forms a thin layer of oil and causes the paints to yellow.

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Ben Jonson is a Copywriter of www.paintingmax.com
He had written many articles in various topics. For more information visit: Gouaches on PaperContact him at paintingmax.ben@googlemail.com

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