| f the more frequently asked questions from beginners | | | | careless in this area, especially if you are working with |
| in oil painting is: How do I get Started? To get started in | | | | high quality brushes. Many artists recommend |
| oil painting is relatively easy. There are some basic | | | | turpentine for cleaning brushes, but I simply cannot bring |
| supplies that you will need and some basic guidelines | | | | myself to use this stuff. I use a much safer brush |
| to follow. This article will discuss how beginners can | | | | cleaning product called "The Masters" Brush Cleaner |
| get started with oil painting. This article will not teach | | | | and Preserver. |
| you how to become a good painter however. In fact, | | | | I clean my brushes right after a painting session with |
| no one can make you a good painter. You can only be | | | | this product and it works wonderfully. It may take |
| taught certain things and it is up to you to take what | | | | some time to really get your brushes clean, but it is |
| you have learned and apply it. | | | | worth the effort. If the brush cleaner does not remove |
| Many beginners who are new to the oil painting | | | | all of the paint, then I use a bit of odorless mineral |
| medium, generally have the same questions. So let's | | | | spirits. I find this a much better alternative to turpentine. |
| cover those questions now so that you can begin your | | | | Oil Painting Mediums |
| painting journey right away. | | | | What about mediums? Do you need to mix the oil |
| Oil Painting Supplies | | | | paint with anything or can you use it straight out of the |
| The first thing you will need to do is purchase a few | | | | tube? This is another common question amongst |
| supplies. You need not spend a ton of money on | | | | beginners. The answer? You do not need mediums to |
| expensive oil painting supplies. Start with the basics as | | | | paint with. They are not a requirement, but I find them |
| you are only a beginner right now. The goal at this | | | | to be quite helpful. |
| point is to get used to working with your support, | | | | Most oil paints that I have worked with are simply too |
| brushes, paints and other materials. So expensive | | | | stiff right out of the tube for my particular style of |
| supplies will be wasted during this stage. | | | | painting. Mediums will help dilute the oil paint and make |
| Supports | | | | the paint flow better, which means you will be using |
| You are going to need a support to paint on. There | | | | less paint. Using less paint, means you will save money. |
| are a number of different supports that can handle oil | | | | There are many different kinds of mediums that are |
| paint, but for now, start with canvas. Many beginners | | | | used for different reasons, like speeding up the drying |
| often ask if a canvas needs any special coating or | | | | time of paint, improving gloss, etc. Do not be overly |
| priming for oil paint. The short answer is yes, but you | | | | concerned with mediums right now. |
| need not worry about that either. Any local art supply | | | | I like to start my painting using thinned down acrylic |
| store or online art supply store will have canvases that | | | | paint. I first tone my entire canvas with a neutral color. I |
| are already primed and ready to be used. | | | | then draw in my composition using different values of |
| Oil Paint | | | | the same color. I let this initial drawing dry over night. I |
| Next, you are going to need paint. You do not need an | | | | then apply the oil paint using the fat over lean oil |
| expensive brand of paint. That would again be a | | | | painting method. |
| waste for beginners. There are less expensive, good | | | | Lighting |
| quality paints on the market that will work beautifully | | | | This is a very important part of oil painting. Without |
| for your painting needs. Here are a few oil paint brands | | | | proper lighting, you will not be able to accurately see |
| to test out: WINSOR & NEWTON Winton Oil | | | | your colors. The best kind of lighting is natural sunlight, |
| Colours, GRUMBACHER Academy Oils and | | | | so if you have the opportunity to paint in a well lit room |
| DALER-ROWNEY Georgian Oil Colours. | | | | or outdoors, that would be ideal. Of course not |
| For those of you who may be concerned about the | | | | everyone is blessed with this type of situation, so the |
| potential hazards associated with oil paints, have no | | | | next best thing is to use lighting that mimics natural |
| fear. Introducing water miscible oil paints! These paints | | | | sunlight. |
| are fantastic. They can be thinned with water as | | | | This type of lighting is referred to as "full spectrum |
| opposed to using dangerous solvents like turpentine. | | | | lighting". There are number of different full spectrum |
| Here are two brands to try out if you are interested: | | | | lighting products available. Just do a search on google |
| GRUMBACHER Max Water Miscible Oil Colors and | | | | for "full spectrum lighting" and you will find a number of |
| WINSOR & NEWTON Artisan Water Mixable Oil | | | | websites on the topic. |
| Colours. | | | | Safety |
| Oil Painting Brushes | | | | Oil painting for beginners can be hazardous if you are |
| Having good quality brushes is important. While a good | | | | not careful, so it is important to take the necessary |
| quality brush will not make you a better painter, a | | | | precautions. Make sure you work in an area that has |
| cheap brush will only wind up frustrating you. When | | | | good ventilation and airflow. Wear disposable latex |
| you use cheap brushes you will see why. Cheap | | | | gloves while painting. Read all manufacturer warning |
| brushes have a tendency to shed hairs that get stuck | | | | labels carefully. |
| in the oil paint, which is extremely annoying. Good | | | | Some Final Words |
| quality brushes should have stiff hairs and snap back | | | | As you sit down to start your first painting, remember |
| into place when you run your fingers through them. | | | | that you are just a beginner. Your main goal right now |
| They should be well crafted and sturdy. | | | | is to have fun and get used to working with your oil |
| You do not need that many brushes for oil painting. I | | | | painting materials. Do not be overly judgmental about |
| personally only use two types of oil painting brushes: | | | | your own work. If you do so, you will only wind up |
| flats and filberts of various sizes. I do have a few | | | | getting frustrated. Your first, second, third or even tenth |
| rounds and a fan brush on hand, but I almost never | | | | painting may not turn out the way you wanted it to. |
| use them. I would also recommend that you use hogs | | | | This is completely normal so do not get discouraged. |
| hair brushes as opposed to the softer synthetic hair | | | | Oil painting is a difficult medium to master. It takes |
| brushes. The synthetic brushes are just too flimsy to | | | | perseverance so hang in there. I wish you all the best! |
| handle the oil painting medium in my opinion. | | | | God Bless. |
| Cleaning your brushes is important, so don't be | | | | |