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R&F oil bars/sticks v Sennelier

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Alan Bickley

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Our valued overseas colleague Sandra Kennedy has asked me a question about R&F oil bars, she’s not familiar with this brand. I’ll be honest and say that I don’t know an awful lot about oil bars in general - I know how they are made and the difference between oil bars and oil pastels which is significant! But that’s about it! I’m in the process of writing a feature for TA which includes me using oil bars in combination with a variety of other different media. Hence my recent posts on the gallery showcasing some still life drawings that I’ve been working on. I’d like to thank those of you who took the time to comment, I’m always humbled… So, to come to my point, have any of you fellow artists used both the R&F brand and Sennelier? I’m interested to hear how you think they compare… I’d also be interested in your thoughts and experiences of using oil bars in general … I have some opinions but I’ll not disclose them just yet! Thank you in advance… 

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by Alan Bickley

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Marjorie Firth

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Oil bars in general, can’t remember the brand, I sent them to Fiona. Oil bars are chunky, very sticky and you have to keep peeling the outer cover as they wear down. No good for fine detail or smaller sized work but for larger, expansive pieces I would think they work better. Oil pastels I like, especially Sennelier - lovely colours. I have a “ normal size” set and some chunky ones. The transparent oil pastel ( if it’s in stock, )is very useful as a base as it allows the colours to glide on. Just remembered I included my oil sticks in a little painting - they are in the red and white box. Can you recognise the brand from this? I can’t remember.

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by Marjorie Firth

Alan Bickley

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Thanks Marjorie… Fiona has R&F brand. Definitely not the stuff of detail, you’re so right there. I’m getting to like them better the more I persevere - they are messy and sticky but for covering a large area, they do a good job. But so does oil paint and a big brush! Saying that, the oil bar’s work well on paper, no need for gesso etc…  They have some advantages, but they are ridiculously expensive which is a definite disadvantage! Overall, I don’t think that I would make them my number one go to medium… Any more thoughts from you guys? They aren’t widely used as far as I can tell, I rarely see any work posted on here, so I’m not expecting the flood gates to open!

Alan Bickley

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I’m Forgot to mention that they dry fairly quickly, leave overnight and you can work another layer on top… You can also use turps or similar solvents to dilute them, and create almost transparent passages! Thought you’d like to know that! Here is an example, the top one is an oil bar, below it is an oil pastel. The oil bar dilutes better in my view… Actually, it won’t upload… I’ve tried several other photo’s earlier, low res and high res, nothing works… Is it a fault with the website? Perhaps someone could have a try and see if you can upload or download a photo! It’s saying… please ensure file size is <6mb, mine are well below that! Update … Stop Press: Hold the front page!…looks like there’s a gremlin in the pol website, Fiona can’t upload any pics either!

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by Alan Bickley

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Marjorie Firth

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Neither could I. I got the same message as you Alan.

Alan Bickley

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Thanks for the confirmation Marjorie… I’ve spent hours this morning messing around trying different ways etc! It’ll be next week now before anything can be done!

Sylvia Evans

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Just read this.... explains a lot. Thank you...Don't think it's just pics.  I posted a comment on Lews pic earlier  on the galleryit initially appeared and then vanished.   I note that the comment total is greater than the comments on the page.   Not looked at any other gallery paintings.   As you say Alan a gremlin. Or something...

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by Sylvia Evans

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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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I uploaded a painting a few hours ago to the gallery and it went ok , but a message did appear say thst the image was been checked as was my account. I never had that happen before , thought it was just a check thst the system was doing . 
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Copy and paste still works, or has for me just now - as my friend here will testify (he's not my friend, he's a stock image, but I'm sure he would be if he knew me).  

Alan Bickley

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Not working for me! Strange…

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by Alan Bickley

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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Just tested, it won’t let me upload, I’ve tried five items, two paintings and three photos. 
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