The Ingredients of Oil Paints
Oil paints are made of natural pigments that are suspended in an oil that acts as a binder. The most common oil found in oil paint is linseed oil, although walnut oil, sunflower oil and poppy oil can also be used. Many manufacturers also add other ingredients such as stabilizers for texture and dryers to aid the drying process. Oil paints are not difficult to make, and the raw ingredients are available if you¡¯d rather mix your own paint.
Readying Your Oil Painting For Varnish
Painting ¡®fat over lean¡¯ is a basic rule of oil painting. ¡®Fat¡¯ paint is oil paint that is straight from the tube ¨C thick. ¡®Lean¡¯ oil paint has been mixed with a thinner. So ¡®fat over lean¡¯ is a term that refers to the drying time of thinner layers in comparison to the drying time of thicker layers, and to the order in which varying degrees of thickness should be applied to your canvas. If ¡®lean¡¯ is painted over ¡®fat¡¯, this thin layer will dry quicker and will crack when the ¡®fat¡¯ layer underneath finally dries. Each successive layer of an oil painting should be a little bit ¡®fatter¡¯ than the one underneath it.
About Oil Paints
Oil painting tips: Oil paints are occasionally made from poppy seed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil. These oils result in different properties in the oil paint, such as less yellowing or dry at different rates. Chemistry has produced modern water miscible oil paints that can be used with, and cleaned up in, water. These are still 'real' oil-paints in every sense of the meaning. Small alterations in the molecular structure of the oil create this water miscible property.
Oil Paints
Oil painting is a beautiful and popular medium, the results of which you can see throughout the worlds museums. These paintings can truly last a lifetime and offer versatility in subject, color and technique. Oil paints can be mixed and melded into new colors that will represent your subject to perfection. If you are looking for a fun new artistic medium, check out oil painting and oil painting tips at artsupplies.lifetips.com.
Oil Paint Colors
Oil paint colors are unmatched for purity, quality, and permanence. Oil paints are considered to be the highest quality paint type for mixing colors for shading. Oil paint colors date back to the 16th century when it was used to decorate wooden shields.
"Basic" colors
Question: I am a begining oil painter. I was wondering what colors you suggest a beginer buy. I`ve heard students in my classes talking about how they use only a few "basic" colors, in which they can mix a large range of colors from. Do you have any tips? Answer: These are our recommended 10 "core" colors: Titanium White Cadmium Red Medium Hue Ultramarine BlueBurnt SiennaCadmium Yellow Medium HueCerulean Blue HueMars BlackPermanent Green Lt.Phthalo GreenHookers Green. They should suffice for a beginning. Colors as purchased are rarely found to be exactly as needed for the artist?s work. The blending of colors to produce the right color and shade is always required. Understanding Color Theory and blending is probably the key secret to real art. It takes time and practice. Certainly, being taught by the right teacher can help. Eventually, the artists brings out his own natural talent and skill in this.
Artist Grade Solvent
Solvents are based on petroleum products. Once open to air, they begin to evaporate. Some solvents evaporate faster than others, thereby helping the drying time of oil paints. But many solvents also contain impurities. To test the quality of your solvent, place a drop on a piece of paper and let it evaporate. A good artist quality solvent will not leave any residue or stain on the paper. When using solvents and oil paints, remember that you're allowing air pollution into your home which can be dangerous to you. Consider investing in a artist's air purifier to keep your environment clean.
The Health Hazards of Oil Painting
Oil painting, especially done on a regular basis, has its health hazards. Pigments that contain metals such as chromium or lead are quite toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. And, if you mix your own oil paints, the powder can be inhaled if not careful. Solvents like turpentine and varnish are also harsh on skin and produce fumes that should not be inhaled for long periods of time. New products like turpenoid are a safer alternative, and some artists use linseed oil for thinning instead. Despite the more pleasant smell of new citrus-based thinners, they are still solvents and do give off harmful vapors. It¡¯s a good idea to work in a well-ventilated area and use a mask when applying varnish.
Direct vs. Indirect Oil Painting
Direct and indirect painting are terms relating to how paint is applied to your surface. Applying oil paint in one layer is direct painting. A painting can be completed in this way in one sitting, without the waiting time required for layering. With indirect painting, many layers of paint are applied to create rich tones and different effects. It is the more traditional method.
The History of Oil Paint
Oil paints are one of the great classic media. Although the technique of oil painting, as it is used today (with some modifications), was brought to life in Europe in the 15th century by Jan van Eyck, the art of mixing oils and pigment was around during the Greek civilization. Da Vinci, Titian and then Ruben continued to hone the recipe, each bringing improvements to the technique and formula, with each generation of painters adding to its richness.
The Beneftis of Oil Paints
Oil painting has withstood the tests of time for many reasons. Artists love their versatility. They are opaque, but can be thinned to transparency. The slow drying time allows artists to go back and rework their paintings. And the ability to layer color brings tremendous richness to the medium.
The Vocabulary of Oil Painting
Oil painting, like any complex subject, has a language all its own. Many of these terms have Italian origins. A few of the more popular terms ¨C impasto, means to a thick application of paint. Alla prima means ¡®all at once¡¯ or completing a painting in one sitting. Chiaroscuro literally means ¡®light dark¡¯ and describes the contrast of light to dark to create a dramatic effect.
Varnishing Your Oil Painting
Varnish is best applied to your dried oil painting with a flat bristle brush. Lay the painting flat and then in long strokes, apply the varnish from top to bottom in parallel strokes. Always work the varnish in the same direction. When this first coat of varnish has dried, apply a second coat at right angles to the first. The varnish should be totally dry within a day or two, at most.