Oil Painting

One of the most common fears for the beginning painting student is the blank canvas. Use this list to make the task a bit less daunting.

1.) Find your position in relation to the subject. Remember to consider your own height; will you be seated or standing while you paint, it will change your viewpoint.

2.) Position your easel. You want to be able to see your work, and the subject simultaneously. If you are right handed then the easel should be on your right with the subject to your left.

3.) Create some small sketches to determine how your subject will be placed within the space of your canvas. To establish a composition, find the overall basic shape of your subject to determine its placement

4.) Set out your painting supplies and load an assortment of paints onto your palette. (See the list of colors below if you wish for suggestions on this.)

5.) Use paint thinned with solvent to create your initial sketch.

6.) Refine the sketch by pushing the paint in different directions to adjust your drawing. You can remove or soften unwanted areas with a solvent loaded brush, or a soft cloth.

7.) Block in your largest areas of color.

8.) Begin to add more detail. If an area becomes too muddy, wipe off the paint with a cloth and reapply so that the color remains vibrant.

Extra Tips:

• Color, value, and compositional relationships are subjective. The parts work in relation to the whole. These relationships should always be established first.

• Save details for last; they are the icing on the cake. Would you attempt to frost something that hadn't yet been baked?

• It is much more efficient to paint a large area first (like a sky) and then overlap intricate details (like tree limbs).

• Working on a dry, toned ground makes it easier to judge the value of a color, once on the canvas.

• Always work fat (highest concentration of oil) over lean (paint thinned with solvent). This will help prevent cracking.

• Using a palette knife to mix can help you maintain pure color, and saves paint.

• When applying one color over another, avoid overbrushing. Make your mark and leave it.

• Set out your paints near the edge of your palette to leave plenty of open space to mix new colors.

Types of Palettes: Paint Colors to Set Out at the Start of Painting

Basic Palette: Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow, Sap Green, Cobalt or Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Titanium White.

Dead Palette: Yellow Ochre, Mars Red, Raw Umber, Lamp Black, White.

Muted Palette: Yellow Ochre, Mars Red, Ultramarine Blue, Raw Umber, White.

Passive Palette: Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Cobalt Blue, Raw Umber, White.

Active Palette: Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Raw Umber, White.