Tips for working with oil paints

First things first, what is oil paint? Oil paint is crushed pigment mixed and blended with different types of oils to create a slow drying paint. Oil paint can be dated back as early as the 7th century in images created in Afghanistan. This type of paint can be seen throughout history by the worlds best artist and best pieces!

Here are 3 tips when it comes to working with oil paints:

#1: Prep your canvas

When it comes to oil painting you should know what you want to paint. You'll need to map out which direction you want your painting to go. If you are working on a store bought canvas, you will want to gesso the canvas. The next step will be to a paint a thin layer of neutral colors (many artist prefer to use an umber for this layer). This layer acts as a rough sketch of what the painting will look like highlighting the highs and lows of the piece.

#2: Keep layers thin

Think in layers. Oil paint is fat (artist term for thick). The fatter the paint, the longer the drying time. Typically, oil paint is thinned with turpentine or a different type of paint thinner to make the paint less fatty. The more layers added to the piece, the more 'full' the painting will become. Oil paintings get their charm and character from all the time spent between layers, adding depth to the art.

#3: Think big

The brush you'll need is most likely bigger than what you were thinking. When using oil paint, the brush strokes should be big. The paint is thick and textured; over blending will cause a loss of texture and will lose a sense of the colors being used.