Oil Painting Techniques provide Adventures in Painting

You will find as you venture into the world of oil painting what an amazingly versatile medium it is. As you learn to paint, you will learn that there are several different methods that form the foundation of your art; color, mood, form and so on. You can apply it like a thick buttery manner or thinned down to a more watery consistency. By doing this you create a number of different painting techniques.

Many artists begin their painting by sketching out the picture using acrylic paint or with water-soluble oil paints first. In order to begin your oil painting you need to thin the paint with a solvent such as turpentine in order to apply the paint in layers.

Another method is to start you oil painting by drawing your picture first with mediums such as water-soluble pencils or charcoal. The vine charcoal is better than other charcoals, it will not smudge it can be erased easier. If you decide to use water-soluble pencils you can apply these just like an ordinary pencil and they can also used with a brush when dampened for spreading.

Alla Prima oil painting is a technique you might want to try if you have little patience. The Alla Prima method does not require layering and can be performed in one sitting. You do not have to wait for the layers to dry.

If you don’t mind waiting, you might be interested in glazing. Not a lot of artist use this technique anymore, it takes quite a bit of time and can be difficult. To glaze you apply a layer of opaque monochrome underpainting first, usually in shades of gray. When the underpainting is dry, you then apply thin layers of transparent oil glazes. You do not mix the colors but apply the colors in layers to get the desired effect.

There also is the technique of painting with palette knives for the more adventurous artist. You can spread the paint on with the knives and then scrape the paint off in order to create a painting. When working with knives you don’t have to worry about small details, just let your imagination go. It’s a lot of fun once you get used to it and it’s a great way to let your creative side come out.

The impasto technique is something you might like to try if you enjoy working with paints that have more texture and body. When you use impasto technique you apply your oil paint in heavy thick strokes, the results of the heavy thick artist strokes is what makes the painting unique. Van Gogh is a perfect example of the impasto painting technique being put to use.

These are fundamental oil painting techniques that can be used over and over again. Painting with oil paints can be an exciting adventure. With all the different techniques, there’s no way you can get bored. Oil painting is a wonderful way to get your feet wet in the world of painting.

Copyright 2007 Janice J. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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