Basics of Painting with Oil Paints
Some tools you need for Oil Painting
Oil paintings are nice to look at, but also fun to do. If you have ever thought about maybe painting with oil, then here are some basics to get you started.
First of all, think about where you might do your oil painting. You need an area that is well ventilated, both for the smell and for the work to dry. Preferably you can find a semi outdoor area. If you have to work outside, then make sure you can secure everything quickly in case of wind or rain. You should also be wary of flying insects if you are working outdoors.
Once you have get yourself organized in your new work area, the first thing to do is to lay down your drop cloth, tarp and a plastic bag. Secure the drop cloth by masking taping the edges to prevent it from bunching up. Then set up your oil paintings work area on the drop cloth so it is important that you have enough room to work in comfortably. If you are going to work on your oil paintings with a table easel set up on a table, you’ll want to cover the floor below the table top and the place where you will stand or sit.
Dress in your old clothes or wear an apron and gloves. You’ll also need a container that has paint thinner and a container that holds a combination of two parts paint thinner and one part walnut oil. These containers should be about three inches high and two inches around. Each should be filled to the half way mark. You’ll need a comfortable set up with an easy reach for your paint palette and knife, your brushes, the two containers, as well as paint rags and tubes.
Then you can set up the paints you’ll use for your oil paintings. If you have a variety of colors, you don’t need all of them squeezed out onto your paint palette. Start with just two or three colors. It might be easiest to start with primary colors like cadmium red, yellow and blue. A dime size spot of each color would be sufficient to start with. Space them as far from each other on the palette as possible, as if you are putting dots on the three points of a triangle. In the center of this paint triangle squeeze a nickel-size spot of Titanium white oil paint. When you are ready you can mix the paint as required with your knife.
Congratulations, you are now ready to paint!