Are you fascinated with colors and beauty of things around? Do you feel you have an artistic bent of mind and want to draw it all on the canvas? If yes, you are surely going to love the art of oil painting.
Oil painting has been a famous art technique for quite some time now and still continues to remain the favorite of numerous artists. If you are new to oil painting then the following tips can be of great help.
The first and foremost thing that you need to keep in mind, before you begin with your oil painting endeavor is to choose the paints and brushes right. There are several varieties of paints and brushes readily available in the market. The paints are usually available in three categories- semi opaque, opaque and transparent. Choose your pick and get started.
Considering that you are a beginner, it is always suggested to start with a rough draft first, do not make the mistake of directly painting strokes on the canvas. You can prepare a rough sketch on the canvas using a charcoal and then fill in the paint accordingly.
Preparing your base is a must if you wish to come up with an exceptional oil painting. For this, it is a must that you put on wash or the first under painting on your canvas. Using and under paint ensures that the white of the canvas is well hidden. Remember, that the more layers you add, the better it is. In fact, using multiple layers can even help to disguise the flaws and mistakes that you may make in the process of painting.
You also need to be careful about the painting technique that you be put to use. Primarily, there are two oil painting techniques i.e. wet on wet and stage painting. Wet painting involves making use of the paint stiff directly. In some cases, the paint may be mixed with linseed oil to reach consistency that is similar to that of a salad dressing. Amidst wet painting and stage or glaze painting, wet painting is an easier option. Glaze painting requires greater control over brushes and can be slightly difficult to master.
Watch out for the mediums that you put to use. Linseed oil is the best choice for amateurs. It offers quick painting and even dries up quickly. However, do not use it as a medium for whites and blues as it tends to turn in to yellow. Instead, make use of poppy oil as it works better for such mediums. The downside of using poppy oil is that it dries slowly.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, pick up the painting brush and unleash your creativity on the canvas to create a masterpiece
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