Introduction A Technique To paint with Oil

My personal preference is to start drawing my oil paintings the composition using acrylic paint oil painting or a water soluble, as I have been exposed recently in one of the hotels in Mar del Plata where I stayed. The most popular approach to oil painting involves thinning with a little turpentine to apply the first layer. The turpentine is quite toxic and I prefer to avoid it. The acrylic or oil paints soluble in water can be distributed in density with a little plain water and are thus easier to maneuver, in my opinion.

You can also start your compositions in oil pencil drawing. There are several methods of drawing that can be combined with oil paintings. My favorites are the ribs of coal and water soluble pencils. I prefer the carbon rods that are not as cinders and can be deleted more easily. The water-soluble pencils are wonderful because they can be applied as common crayon and can also be erased with a brush allowing you to spread the color.

If you are a little impatient, you can try Alla Prima painting technique. This method is characterized by the paint finish in one sitting, instead of making layers to reach the end, waiting for each to dry. Although generally prefer to make my compositions in layers, sometimes I enjoy this quick and spontaneous painting.

If you are a careful and patient, you may want to work with glaze. Glazing has lost popularity these days, partly because the time needed to complete the painting and the difficulty involved, but the results are truly unique in the world of painting. The composition is first painted with a mono-color opaque paint, usually in shades of gray. Once this coat is dry, apply thin coats of transparent glaze. The colors are not mixed directly but added in layers to achieve the desired final color.

If you are the adventurous type, put the brushes aside and try to paint with a palette knife series. You can achieve some interesting results with this type of paint that can not be achieved with a paintbrush. Oil paint can be disseminated and can be removed easily. What I enjoy most about this type of painting is the tendency not to focus on small details. I am forced to paint a more relaxed way that creates a more impressionistic style of painting. Get a set of painting knives and try to complete a whole picture just to use it. It can be challenging at first if not used, but it's a fun exercise.

You may prefer that your picture has more body and texture. You could try filling technique and apply your paint in thick past, leaving evidence of those thick and artistic shots. Take a look at a painting by Vincent Van Gogh and you can see this technique in action.

It really is not surprising that this technique of painting is so popular among painters. There is much to discover in the oil paintings. Never get bored trying out all the techniques, tools and resources available.

...