| So you are beginning your journey into the wonderful | | | | possibilities. I use canvas panels and paper for studies |
| world of oil painting? It can be a confusing process for | | | | or practice and stretched canvas for my finished |
| beginners if you do not have someone to help guide | | | | paintings. Again, this is just my preference and you are |
| you through the first steps. This article will provide you | | | | free to explore on your own. |
| with all the necessary information that you need to get | | | | Other Supplies |
| started. | | | | Some other supplies you will need are rags for wiping |
| OIL PAINTING SUPPLIES | | | | and cleaning, a palette knife for mixing your paints, a |
| The first thing you are going to need are your supplies. | | | | medium for thinning your paint and an easel. |
| This first step may seem simple, but many beginners | | | | Caring For Brushes |
| are lost when they first step foot into an art supply | | | | Learning how to properly care for your brushes is one |
| store. There are so many different materials to | | | | of the most important aspects of oil painting. One |
| choose from and if you are not familiar with what you | | | | popular approach is to use solvents like turpentine, but |
| need, you may spend too much on supplies you don't | | | | for some of us, this is not an attractive option as |
| need or wind up not buying enough. | | | | solvents can be dangerous to your health. I personally |
| Paints | | | | use mineral oil followed by a brush cleaner. I first wipe |
| If you ask five different artists about the colors they | | | | the brush as clean as possible with a rag. I then swish |
| have on their palette, you will more than likely get five | | | | the brush around in mineral oil until most of the paint is |
| different answers. The truth of the matter is, there are | | | | removed. I then wash the brush with a product called |
| no right or wrong answers when it comes to the | | | | MASTERS Brush Cleaner and Preserver. |
| colors on your palette, it really is a matter of | | | | TIP: Always clean your brushes immediately after you |
| preference. You will definitely develop those | | | | have finished a painting session and never leave your |
| preferences over time. In the mean time, I can share | | | | brushes soaking in anything! It will destroy them. |
| with you the colors that I often use: | | | | ORGANIZING YOUR STUDIO |
| Alizarin Crimson | | | | I know not everyone has the luxury of a professional |
| Cadmium Red Light | | | | studio, but try and do your best to create a productive |
| Cadmium Yellow Light | | | | environment for painting. Try and find a space in your |
| Yellow Ochre | | | | home that is free from noise and distraction. |
| Burnt Umber | | | | Lighting |
| Raw Umber | | | | If at all possible, use a room or space that has plenty |
| Cadmium Orange | | | | of natural sunlight. If natural sunlight is not possible, you |
| Burnt Sienna | | | | will have to use artificial light. There are special lights or |
| Thalo Blue | | | | bulbs called "Full Spectrum", that are made to emulate |
| Cerulean Blue | | | | natural sunlight. They do a descent job, but nothing |
| Thalo Green | | | | compares to natural sunlight. |
| Thalo Yellow Green | | | | Organizing Your Palette |
| Ivory Black | | | | It is important to have a clean and organized palette |
| Titanium White | | | | during your painting sessions. This is done by laying |
| TIP: Whatever paint you decide to buy, try to stay | | | | your paints out the same way each time you paint. |
| away from paints that have the word "hue" on the | | | | Lay your paint out on the edges of your palette |
| label. These paints may be more economical, but they | | | | leaving enough empty space in the center for mixing. |
| are of very low quality when compared to the real | | | | Be sure to squeeze out a good amount of each of |
| color. Hue paints are artificial pigments and they do not | | | | your colors before you start to paint. You will be more |
| behave the same as the real pigment. | | | | productive if you do not have to stop frequently to |
| Palette | | | | squeeze out more paint. When you are finished |
| If you are not already familiar with a palette, it is | | | | painting, be sure and clean the mixing area of your |
| basically the surface that you will use to lay out and | | | | palette well, but do not fully clean the spots on your |
| mix your colors on. There are a variety of different | | | | palette where you placed your colors. This way, you |
| palettes available. Everything from wood to glass are | | | | will be able to tell where to squeeze them out during |
| possible surfaces to use. My favorite surface to use | | | | future painting sessions. |
| as a palette is wood, but the surface is porous, so it | | | | YOUR FIRST PAINTING |
| will need to be sealed before you can use it. It is quite | | | | So now that you have a general understanding of the |
| easy. All you need to do is coat the surface of the | | | | supplies you will need as well as how to organize your |
| palette with mineral or linseed oil and wipe the excess | | | | studio, it's time to starting thinking about your first |
| off. It is then ready for your oil paints. | | | | painting. |
| Brushes | | | | Painting Ideas |
| Just like paints, an artists brush selection may differ | | | | Coming up with an idea for a painting can be a |
| from person to person. I personally use flats and | | | | frustrating task and in order to find your painting |
| filberts of varying sizes, but you may develop a | | | | "voice", you need to find out what you are passionate |
| preference for other shapes and sizes. My brush | | | | about or what things in life influence you. Every artist |
| selection consists of #2, #5, and #10 Filberts, #2, #5, | | | | has an influence, whether it be another artist, a place |
| and #10 Flats - - all hog hair brushes. Hog hair brushes | | | | or thing. For instance, if you love nature and wildlife, |
| are strong, flexible and are great for use with oils. | | | | spend time outdoors at the places that inspire you. |
| Supports | | | | Bring along a sketchpad or digital camera and record |
| There are a variety of painting surfaces, or "supports", | | | | the scenes that catch your eye. If you have a |
| that you can use to paint on. Stretched canvas, | | | | particular artist that you admire, spend time studying his |
| canvas panels, canvas paper and even wood are all | | | | or her artwork. Try and reproduce their paintings. |