Brushes
Depending on the size of your painting, you may need just one or two brushes or you may need a lot more. Brushes are where I spend the most money. I work with Winsor & Newton University rounds and flats. These are designed for acrylic painting, but have a softness and durability that I like. I also use a larger fan brush for painting skies and broad areas of color. Bristle brushes are also very useful, as they can hold greater amounts of paint, and are good “work-horse” brushes. Below are some different types of brushes.
Paint Surface
I recommend Frederix canvas pads to start. They’re generally inexpensive, pre-gessoed with a nice surface, and you can cut the canvas to any size you want. In addition to canvas paper, I paint on 1/8″ tempered masonite that I sand and gesso with 2 coats on each side. Pre-stretched canvas and canvas boards are also cheap alternatives to preparing your own surface. Once you’ve got a few paintings under your belt, you can start to experiment to see what surface you like best.
Fat over Lean
One thing that every artist working with oils should know is the “fat over lean” rule. Oil does not dry by evaporation. Instead, it dries by absorbing oxygen, which results in a layer known as linoxyn. When a layer of paint has dried, it becomes less flexible or lean. Light colors tend to dry faster than dark colors. Also, different drying speeds make it possible to apply a layer of paint over another layer and have the top layer dry faster. Over time, the layer with more oil or “fat” will cause the “lean” layer to crack as the “fat” layer dries beneath it.
Tricks of the Trade
Once you have the paint surface prepared, you can transfer a drawing using one of several methods. When I first started painting, I drew directly on the canvas with a graphite pencil. This got pretty messy in a hurry, because the graphite would smear and smudge as I corrected the drawing. For the last several years, I’ve been using a type of paper that has graphite on one side and can be used to transfer the drawing to your paint surface. Alternatively, you can paint directly on your canvas using a thin layer of paint.
Before you apply any oil paint to your canvas, you may opt to tone the paint surface with a thin layer of acrylic paint mixed with matte medium. This will allow the paint to flow more easily and give you a nice middle ground on which to build lights and darks. Always make sure the acrylic paint has dried before proceeding with oils. Never paint acrylics on top of oils, as the layer beneath will dry slower and will result in cracks. To reduce overall mess, keep a rag handy for wiping out areas of paint and wear some old work clothes that you can afford to get paint on. While I’m painting, I normally have a sheet of paper taped next to my palette where I wipe excess paint.
Safety Precautions
For many people, working with oils can be very hazardous because of the toxic materials that are commonly associated with painting. The key here is to read up on your materials, treat them with care, and overall, use common sense. Keep the area you are working in well-ventilated at all times to avoid nasty fumes. Keep solvent and medium use to a minimum. I use a mustard jar half filled with Turpenoid and always screw the lid on tight between paint sessions. If you are working with lead-based paint, wear latex gloves to keep the paint from getting on your skin. Never eat, drink, or smoke while painting, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after each painting session.
Parting Words of Advice
I hope you find this tutorial helpful. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get a handle on oils. They dry slowly, and getting comfortable with the working properties of different paints and mediums can seem like a chore. I painted with watercolors for two years prior to painting in oils, and the transition took some time. Be patient and, more importantly, never give up. There’s nothing like having a finished oil painting that you can frame and put on the wall for everyone to see.
Useful links:
Todd Lockwood’s site has some useful info on oil painting:
http://www.toddlockwood.com
A site that covers some basics and materials:
http://www.cad-red.com
A varied assortment of info on oils can also be found at:
http://painting.about.com/library/bl101oils.htm
Article by Leo Winstead.
