Oil Painting For Beginners
Oil painting is basically the procedure of painting using pigments mixed in a medium with drying oil as a carrier. Commonly used mediums include linseed oil, pumpkin seed oil, alkyd oil, and walnut oil. The choice of oil adds a great variety of effects to the oil paint, including drying time or the level of yellowing. Some oils have more drying time than others. The quality of oil paint depends upon several factors such as the pigmentation you want, the drying time, and the type of design you intend to create.
Oil painting techniques are based on the idea that the lightest layer of colors makes the most bold and the deepest layers are the softest and most subtle. This also depends on how transparent you want your work to be. When learning about oil painting, it is important to remember that the darkest colors often appear closer to the surface and can be hard to perceive once they are seen. So once you have chosen your colors, start by making thin layers of tones that will later build up and blend more on their own.
Starting with pure white oil painting requires the absolute dryness of the canvas. You have to make sure that the canvas is absolutely dry before you even think about applying the pigments. If there is some sign of moisture on the canvas, the pigments will not bond properly and you may end up with smudges or streaks on your final painting. Apply one coat of pigment at a time in a slow and steady stream while using a brush to apply the paint. Use just a very small amount so that you do not get paint on your hands.
How to Get Started
As soon as you finish with one layer of paint, you will now move on to a new layer. The number of layers needed depend on the type of painting that you are doing. Some paintings may only need two layers, while others may require five or more layers of pigment. A beginner who is just learning about oil painting should start with two or three layers which should be applied one at a time and worked into the canvas.
Another important tip on oil painting is to apply the paint on a smooth, flat surface. Never use a rough brush because this will greatly affect the appearance of the painting. Another thing that many people fail to do is to let the oil paints dry completely. Some paintings will only need ten to fifteen minutes to dry, while others may need as long as one whole day to dry thoroughly.
The best method of oil painting for beginners is to learn from a master. Learning from a true professional is the best way to learn about how to do things properly. If you are looking for Northern European art work, then hiring a professional painter is the best option. Northern European artists specialize in different types of artwork. You should choose a master that specializes in paintings depicting landscapes because this type of oil painting gives you a perfect canvas to work on.
