Oil Painting

There are several kinds of paints that artists use. The favorite three are oil paints, watercolors, and acrylics. Oil paints are the time-honored choice among artists.

A QUICK HISTORY OF OIL PAINTS

Oil paints are made up of pigment mixed in an oil base. In later years, linseed oil became the base for pre-mixed oil paints. Special oils and mediums are required to thin these kinds of oil paints. Linseed oil is one of the most common painting mediums for modern oil painters. However, many oil paints have strong odors and require a solvent such as turpentine–called “turps” among artists–for cleanup. Water soluble oil paints have returned to popularity in recent years.

POPULAR OIL PAINTS

When people talk about oil paints today, they usually mean the kinds that require turpentine for cleanup. When you’re learning to use oil paints, it’s fine to buy a discount brand, usually called a “student grade.” You’ll enjoy working with the buttery texture of oil paint, and its long drying time. Oil paints can take days or even weeks to dry. The slow drying time of oil paint is perfect if you plan to return day after day until the painting is completed. If you’d like your painting to dry faster, there are products that you can mix into oil paint.

GRADES OF PAINT AND COLOR CHOICES

Once you’ve learned the basics of working with student grade oil paints, it’s smart to start using better quality paints. You can mix different grades of oil paint, as well as different brands, with no worries. Neither acrylic paints nor student grade oils are likely to capture the colors that you see in nature. Most people are very happy with oil paints once they learn how to take advantage of their superior colors and extended drying time.

WATER SOLUBLE OIL PAINTS

In the past fifteen years, manufacturers have developed water soluble oil paints. Because the oil is different, the odor is often lighter and more pleasant than traditional oil paints. Water soluble oil paints generally have the same buttery texture of other oil paints. For many people, water soluble oils are a great solution to the problems of more traditional oil paints.

CHOOSING YOUR OIL PAINTING SUPPLIES

Many companies sell very small tubes of oil paints in sampler kits. When painting with water soluble oil paints, it’s important to choose brushes that can stand up to soap and water. These are usually designed for use with acrylic paints.

All types of paint–acrylics, oils, and water soluble oils–can be used on the same surfaces such as primed canvas or board.

LAKE OF THE  SKY TANGO, one of several gicle’e print by Douglas E. Taylor

Secret School (Krifo Sxolio), where the Hellenic-Orthodox spirit remains alive

oil painting on canvas