Oil Painting: The Do’s and Don’ts

Since its creation in the 1400s, oil painting has been a popular medium for artists. Artists love the versatility of oil paints — the way that you’re able to produce an endless number of colours, textures, and effects simply by mixing a few oils.

However, many artists find it intimidating. Many artists stick with acrylics and tempera paints, fearing that oils could be too toxic or take too much time to dry. Many painters also avoid trying new mediums because they fear that it will prove too difficult.

Oil painting is very similar to other types of paint. While oil painting is not as easy as different types of colour, you should still be careful. Oil painting can be fun and safe if you know what to do and how to avoid it.

To help you get started, we’ve listed a few things to remember.

DO not dismiss the potential of media.

Acrylics and oil paints have to be diluted using solvents. This is the most significant difference. Oil and water do not mix, so adding water to oils will not make them thinner like acrylic paints.

You can dilute your paints with a wide range of solvent mediums and paint thinners. Whether you want to soften up your colours a little bit or thin them out like watercolours, these mediums will help you to use your oils to their highest potential.

DO try wetness

Oils are still a prevalent medium because they can do things that other paints can’t. Oil painters have been able to produce dazzling effects through experimenting with “wet-on-wet” techniques, where the artist applies wet paint to an already wet surface.

Experimenting with drying times and wetness is a great way to explore the possibilities. Oil paints dry faster than acrylics which gives you more time for decisions and pushing the paint around.

DO use palette knives.

An essential tool for oil-painting professionals is the palette knife. A palette knife is an excellent tool for mixing colours and can paint on the canvas. You can create thick, flat swatches with your palette knife by pushing your paint around. This is much easier than using a brush.

Some artists don’t need a professional palette knife. Some prefer to use butter knives or a spatula for the job.

PAINT CAREFULLY

Oils allow you to create a wide range of textures. The best Antique Italian Oil paintings combine thin paint washes that soak into the canvas with thicker gobs of paint that drips off the surface.

Don’t be afraid of trying different textures if you are new to this medium. You will get more prosperous, more dynamic paintings if you use paint liberally.

Don’t forget drying time.

Oil paintings can take up to a year to dry, depending on the amount of paint used. Oil paintings are a favourite of painters because they allow them to take longer to dry. This will enable them to examine their work and make changes, which is a valuable skill that every artist should have.

Be sure to keep your children and pets away from the painting as it dries. You don’t want paw prints on your landscape painting. The drying time should not be a problem if the piece is adequately ventilated and kept out of reach.

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