Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Starting an oil painting for the first time.

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Showing page 1 of 10
Author
Message

Denise Cat

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 5859
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2187
Posted
I didn't plan on doing any oil painting at this moment in time as I am still new to watercolour and acrylics. The Xmas fair has thrown down a gauntlet for me. There is a snowy scene, done in oils, I was going to try in watercolour. I was reading through the session and thought, ok, in for a penny, in for a pound. I know nothing about oil painting and have read no literature on the subject because I've been concentrating on the other two mediums and sketching. So even on a Sunday in lockdown, I managed to source everything apart from, 3mm MDF, that was on the list. I got canvas board, which, I've never used. Now, standing oil, I have no idea in what context to use this but I will probably learn on the job. I may be setting myself up for a bit of a fall here. I'm usually good at figuring things out but if I get really stuck and it might be on the simplest of things to you, but not to me, I am confident you will help with any questions I might have along the way. If I make a bit of a mess, it will not be wasted, it will make me more determined to do a better job next time. Any comment's welcome.

Edited
by Painful Painter

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9073
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3428
Posted
Don’t worry about following my demo too closely Denise, it’s there as a guide to get you started by following a set procedure by working in a series of layers in this particular case. A canvas board is fine, I’ve used Stand oil but Linseed oil is fine. Actually, you can just use turpentine as oil paint already contains linseed oil as a binding agent - I use just a small amount of oil if and when needed. I’m pleased that its inspired you, several others on here are giving it a go also which is great!  Shout up if you need any help, which you no doubt will, there are a number of oil painters on here who are all very competent in this medium, and I’m always on hand to help!

Denise Cat

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 5859
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2187
Posted
That's great Alan, I plan to gesso the board today, put the base coat on tomorrow and work on the painting the rest of the week. That the plan anyway.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9073
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3428
Posted
Great stuff! You don’t need to gesso your board as it should already be done! However, it won’t do any harm. Work in stages as the demo, you may need each stage to dry off a touch but see how it goes. Remember, oil paint doesn’t have to be plastered on thickly, I tend to work it thinly, particularly in the early stages, and build it up a bit more at the end.

Hilary Pearce

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 260
Posted
I think this is fantastic Denise, well done you.  I don’t have oils at the moment, but have done a couple of practice views (both unfinished) of Alans demonstration.  One purely in watercolour using some colours I already had in my palette and one in acrylics using the colours suggested.  I really enjoyed working from this demo Alan. 

Denise Cat

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 5859
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2187
Posted
They look fantastic  Hilary, I think you have done a brilliant job and if I don't get to grips with the oils, I will do it in watercolors but I just feel I have to try with oils to experience it. I was saying to a friend, I always jump in feet first.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9073
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3428
Posted
Well done Hillary, keep at it and it gets easier eventually! For my demo, I did start off on a dark ground (canvas). This helped me when I was adjusting my tonal range, particularly the snow which I haven’t used pure white, although it looks like I have - colour is relative to its surroundings.

Denise Cat

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 5859
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2187
Posted
Thanks Alan  that will save me some time and some gesso. I'm excited to start and see what the finish will look like but I know I have to be patient and let things dry.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9073
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3428
Posted
Yes Denise, do take your time, learn and enjoy the  experience of painting with oils - you can’t rush them.

Denise Cat

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 5859
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2187
Posted
I've put the base coat on. using the two colours suggested and put it on with a rag. It is darker than it has come up on the photograph and I think I I happy with the base coat. I'll leave it for 24 hours now. I think it could possibly need another coat. I will see how it dries.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9073
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3428
Posted
Okay, it looks a bit grey but that’s fine, you don’t need another coat, it’s only your base colour. Make sure it is dry though! I often use acrylic for this stage, as it’s dry in minutes.

Edited
by Alan Bickley

Denise Cat

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 5859
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2187
Posted
Thanks Alan, it does look grey on the photo, but here, you can see it's more of a brown colour. I must say, the distilled turps didn't smell as bad as I thought.
Showing page 1 of 10