How to Oil Paint

Mention Leonardo da Vinci and you will be transported to the world of oil paintings where every minute detail seem to have been infused with life. Oil paints have captured the fancy of many painters since ages and through this medium they have created artworks, a few amongst which are ethereal and exquisite. Such great paintings include Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Last Supper, Madonna Litta and many more. The paintings (Starry Night, Blossoming Almond Tree, Vase with Fourteen Sunflowers) of Vincent Van Gogh are also masterpieces that are still remembered as great works of art.

Oil painting follows certain rules and techniques. If you are passionate about painting then try this art form and improvise your artistic caliber. At the outset I must make you aware that painting with oils requires immense patience and dedication to gain expertise gradually.

Guide to How to Oil Paint

Beginners should make a slow move to attain perfection after practicing religiously. Knowing the oil painting basics will make your concepts clear. First you have to buy a set of oil colors and oil painting brushes. Unlike water colors, oil painting is done with the help of oils, that aid in blending one color with the other. Turpentine oil is the most commonly used for making oil paints.

I would advise you not to invest a lump sum on oil colors since you are a novice in this field. Purchase a set that contains all the basic colors to begin with. You can also try your hand on attaching pigments separately to the colors. They act like fixatives that sustains the color for a longer period and also accentuates the drying process. Earlier, safflower oil and linseed oils were used for the purpose but today many synthetic variety of oils have been introduced in the market that produces the same effect. However, use of pigments is absolutely optional. Oil painting is done with the help of two types of brush, viz, soft and hard brushes. The shape (round or flat) of the bristles will determine the effect you want to produce. A soft brush is mainly utilized for painting fine lines and subtle portions that require soft touches. Brushes having coarse bristles are meant for creating textures on the canvas paper. Crude, heavy and dry strokes are also done with the help of hard brushes. Follow the oil painting tips explained further in the next paragraph.

To begin with, sketch the outline of the image on your canvas if you are not capable of applying paints directly on the canvas to make the painting. Start with landscapes as you will get a better exposure to colors. I would suggest you to scrutinize the best oil sketches done by famous painters from the Internet. This will give you an idea on how to use oil paints. You can understand the difference in colors, the shades used and the textures created. Make an effort to use colors in the right proportion right from the initial stage. Correction of errors during the process can be done easily by oil paints. You will also observe that white shades are extensively used in oil work. Form the image in your mind and try to bring out the same over the canvas. Wash the brushes clean before dipping in light shades. You can also check out the online videos to know the technique of differential application of strokes, that include caress strokes, dagger strokes, knife techniques and smooth blending. Allow the paint to dry completely after you have finished.

Although painting is a pure natural instinct, you can improve your skills by observing good artworks in order to attain technical perfection. I'm sure you will put forth all your dedication into practice if you are genuinely inclined to it. Try figurative art, abstract images, landscapes and classical arts to prove your versatile approach.