Oil Painting TIps

Some tips for a realistic artistic rendering in oils.
1. Make sure the texture and paint viscosity are applied consistently and smooth throughout the piece.Begin with very diluted and free flowing paint and end with a thicker version.

2. Use various grey's in a final overlay to give an atmospheric look.

3. Make sure you use shadow, form, detail and perspective in a balanced and accurate mannor.

4. Make sure there is a proper likeness for people and other man-made objects and structures. .

5. use compliments for shadows.

6. Paint all the individual or collective backgrouds first.

7. Mix all colors before starting. Mix enough of each color for the entire painting.

8. Can also do a black and white shadow rendering as an underpainting. If using charcoal make sure you spray on a binder before adding the paint to keep the canvas fresh and crisp.

9. Use thick black outlines where necessary to render objects that are in the foreground and/or create a projected image.

10. Careful detail lends itself well to basic design as well as intricateor detailed designs.

11. Do a sketch in charcoal pencil first before painting.

12. Use quality oils and canvas. Primed board can also be used.

13. Oil lends itself well for landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, playful portraits.

14. Colored charcoal lends itself well for portraits, buildings and cityscapes.

15. The method of painting large spaces on the canvas such as a body of water, leaves on the water, background of trees, a mountain range or a closeup of an object such as a fence post, apple etc is the same. You begin by first painting in the background colors (Can paint negative space in first for more detailed images) then paint in the basic shapes large medium and small last keeping all the shapes very similiar. Make sure you use adjecent colors on the wheel as you place the shapes within each other and next to each other, you can also use a touch of contrasting colors as well. Once complete go over the whole area with a grey wash to give the feel of atmosphere.

16. Paint in layers, first with a thin mixture then finish with a thicker one. Paint in positive space first then adjust by painting in negative space. Let each layer dry before adding the next. You can work the whole canvas or work section by section. Be patient, the final stages will eventually reveal a likeness your satisified with.

17. In pictures involving outdoor scenery, landscapes, seacapes, dull out the colors by mixing with their compliments for the mid ground and background. Keep the foreground colors rich and bright by using purer mixtures.

18 .Choose and Mix your oil colors to get the general tone and shade then
Measure out the same colors on the precision scale and record the amount
Of each. Make a permanent record




18. My oil painting medium consists of 1 part linceed oil, 1 part paint thinner, 1 part danmar varnish.