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Starting an oil painting for the first time.
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Message
Posted
I was thinking about doing some practice while I'm waiting for my book to arrive. I got some small canvas boards to practice on so if I make a mess, I won't care much about flinging them. I'm just going to do something basic. What I was wondering about is, can you paint oils on top of a very dark background. I did it with an acrylic painting, one I posted of the candle and apple. I liked watching the objects develop out of an almost black background. Can this be done with oils or will I be wasting my time trying it. Thanks.
Posted
I know others on here have used black as a ground, but personally I’m not keen on the idea and isn’t generally adopted by many professional artists these days. There are several reasons for this which I won’t go into now.
But you’re not a professional, so do give it a try and let’s see what happens!
This method is based on a technique called chiaroscuro, where maximum contrast of tones is used, usually with a single light source.
You may find it helpful to look at the work of Caravaggio, he used this technique extensively.
Posted
Denise, I think there is a past thread on the forum discussing using black as a ground. I know Alan isn’t keen on the idea but there are professional artists that do use this technique, as do a few on the pol site, me included.
Marjorie Firth does some extraordinary oil paintings on a black ground, have a look in her gallery for examples. One in particular I can think of, is an oil of Hawick gardens, it’s fabulous and I think won a prize in the TALP competition this year. If you find the old thread Marjorie did post a few examples on there.
I have a canvas I have just put a couple of coats of black gesso on for my next oil.....what a coincidence! Go for it gal!
Posted
Thanks Fiona, I just took a look at the post, very interesting. Marjorie's painting were stunning. I just wanted to experiment while I'm awaiting my book. I'm impatient and want to get the oils back out again. I've got to do boring shopping but when I get back, I'm going to do a burnt umber and black base. It won't be completely black but almost I think.
Posted
One problem with painting in oil on a black background/base is that oil paint becomes gradually more transparent over the years - so your painting will be likely to darken, and no amount of cleaning or varnish will be able to correct it.
However - this takes a very long time to show; i.e. I, and probably you, will have joined the Choir Eternal when (or if, since little is ever certain) it does.
Incidentally, I received my copy of Haidee-Jo's book this morning, having taken advantage of the POL offer - MUCH, much better for me in this form; and apart from the visual aspect, I've got a real book in my hands. Unfortunately, I can't stand up to the easel at the moment - low pressure area is probably contributing to my back pain, which is, to put it mildly, a perishing nuisance - I'm not keen on painting sitting down, and even that would be difficult at the moment. Painful, me duck - you'll be very familiar with all that: frustrating is just one word for it!
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