3/16/2016

How To Use Oil Painting Techniques

By Susan Bell


Considering the many paint mediums such as tempura, acrylics and watercolors, the one most consider to be the most versatile to use and work with are oils. The pigments in this type of product apply to the canvas in a buttery rich consistency and keep their true hue and vibrancy as they age. There is a full range of useful oil painting techniques that make a virtually endless array of creative possibilities.

Artists all over the world prefer this medium for several different reasons. For one thing, it has the broadest spectrum of color and the widest tonal range out of all the options. Another advantage is the slower drying time which allows the user to make smoother blends in their strokes and to do more intentionally precise corrections.

The fact that this paint type is fitting for almost any style, and all genres, is a greatly desired benefit. Whether the artists likes to do their work quickly, or take a longer time to add in a lot of controlled detailing, this options works for them. It allows the user to achieve intricate nuances that the others seems to miss.

The base tools used, regardless of which style or genre one works in, are generally the same. These usually include rags or towels for cleaning, brushes in varied sizes and types, canvas, easel or table top work area, thinning medium, flat knife, color palette, and paints. Combining multiple applications and a little practice, wonderful art is easily produced.

A good foundation is the key to starting a successful work of art. Color blocking, which is a method where the artist applies sections of diluted pigment to an area of the canvas, using either small or long brush strokes, to map out where various elements will be painted. This creates an base background for building the picture using layering options and purposeful details.

Adding dimension to a piece can be achieved through a number of applications, with some of the best results coming from combining multiple styles. These include layering, thickness of paint, contrasting colors, brush stroke size or using methods such as crosshatching or pointillism. All of these, alone or in conjunction, provide a depth to the work that lends an air of movement or space.

This particular type of paint can be very successful in creating a look of transparency that appears like crystal, still waters or glass. The main aspects of accomplishing this are the purity of the pigment and its creamy smooth consistency as it flows across the canvas, along with using contrasting colors and shading. Through long, unbroken brushstrokes, they are blended so smoothly that they appear seamless and it becomes near impossible to tell where the tones actually switch, similar to a reflective surface.

There are any number of ways that an artist can use the methods, such as a range of brush strokes in different directions and sizes, keeping pigment pure, blending irregularly and varied levels of dilution to get the look they want. Using thick layers, deliberate strokes, and stippling are other avenues which bring convincing depth perception to the piece. Knowing how to implement the power of pure whites and deep blacks are also incredibly effective tools.




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