An individual who has decided to learn oil painting is soon likely to find him or herself as a part of a large fraternity as oil painting is one of the most popular forms of art in the world. Much of the comfort in using this medium is attributed to the fact that when an artist uses the best oil paints it is usually quite a while after having been applied to the canvas that they start drying. Thus, it is possible for the artist to continue to work on them for a certain period of time subsequent to their application. In addition, since after drying the particular color of oil paint on the canvas can be easily repainted by some other color without affecting the surrounding areas in any manner, it provides the artist with plenty of opportunity to rectify and re-work his painting till he acquires the desired result.
Having decided to try one’s hand at oil painting, it is essential for the beginner to first buy all the requisite oil painting supplies prior to actually embarking on the activity. Needless to say, the list of supplies would be headed by the most important requirements, the oils paints. Some of the best oil paints in the world are thick and buttery and are contained within tubes. Although an amateur artist would have a choice of buying a range of cheap paints as well, he is strongly recommended by experts to buy only good quality primary and secondary oil paint colors in order to be able to enjoy the activity to its fullest. Oil paints can be purchased in form of tubes which contain fast-drying paints, blocks and tubes containing water soluble oils or oil bars which appear as sticks.
Because oil paints cannot be directly applied on canvas, oil primers are required to cover the board or the canvas prior to commencing the painting. While acquiring these as a part of oil painting supplies, a novice is advised to select and buy primers which are meant for acrylic paints as not only do they dry quickly but are also free from the hassle of sizing. Since oil paintings require primers to be applied in form of coating as per the size, a single layer of acrylic primer on paper will ensure the protection of the paper meant for painting from getting destroyed.
Like all the other avatars of painting, oil painting is done with the help of brushes while one must use stiff hog-hair brushes for handling thick oil paints, brushes with long and short handles and different head shapes can be used for performing different strokes and acquiring different outcomes. In this category as well, there are cheaper alternatives which could be opted for and although there is no variation in terms of results, these do not last long and soon need to be replaced.
Since the best oil paints are thick, they need to be diluted with thinners or solvents and in this regard turpentine is the foremost as well as the traditional choice. The most common yardstick for buying thinners is that one must always opt for low odor solvents as the addition of white or mineral spirits results in a watery mixture while the use of solvents acquired from hardware stores could cause the yellowing of paint. Likewise, since one requires mediums for oil paints as well, the use of ready-mixed mediums or various forms of linseed oil are recommended for color dilution, enhancing the gloss and transparency, reduction of drying time for the painting and avoiding over-thinning of paint.
Having decided to try one’s hand at oil painting, it is essential for the beginner to first buy all the requisite oil painting supplies prior to actually embarking on the activity. Needless to say, the list of supplies would be headed by the most important requirements, the oils paints. Some of the best oil paints in the world are thick and buttery and are contained within tubes. Although an amateur artist would have a choice of buying a range of cheap paints as well, he is strongly recommended by experts to buy only good quality primary and secondary oil paint colors in order to be able to enjoy the activity to its fullest. Oil paints can be purchased in form of tubes which contain fast-drying paints, blocks and tubes containing water soluble oils or oil bars which appear as sticks.
Because oil paints cannot be directly applied on canvas, oil primers are required to cover the board or the canvas prior to commencing the painting. While acquiring these as a part of oil painting supplies, a novice is advised to select and buy primers which are meant for acrylic paints as not only do they dry quickly but are also free from the hassle of sizing. Since oil paintings require primers to be applied in form of coating as per the size, a single layer of acrylic primer on paper will ensure the protection of the paper meant for painting from getting destroyed.
Like all the other avatars of painting, oil painting is done with the help of brushes while one must use stiff hog-hair brushes for handling thick oil paints, brushes with long and short handles and different head shapes can be used for performing different strokes and acquiring different outcomes. In this category as well, there are cheaper alternatives which could be opted for and although there is no variation in terms of results, these do not last long and soon need to be replaced.
Since the best oil paints are thick, they need to be diluted with thinners or solvents and in this regard turpentine is the foremost as well as the traditional choice. The most common yardstick for buying thinners is that one must always opt for low odor solvents as the addition of white or mineral spirits results in a watery mixture while the use of solvents acquired from hardware stores could cause the yellowing of paint. Likewise, since one requires mediums for oil paints as well, the use of ready-mixed mediums or various forms of linseed oil are recommended for color dilution, enhancing the gloss and transparency, reduction of drying time for the painting and avoiding over-thinning of paint.
