During the early 13 century, many artists were using tempera paints because they could dry quickly. It was until the 17 century that oil paint became the common art medium. So why did oil paints become very popular, and what is the main advantage of using oil paint?
The main advantage of oil paint is its depth of color and flexibility. This means that you can easily mix it with other paints such as acrylics and watercolors. As an artist, you can easily change the tone and richness of the color you want to use by adding small amounts of other colors.
Oil paint can also be applied to a variety of applications and surfaces, unlike other paints. You can easily apply oil paint on surfaces such as paper, canvas, wood, cardboard, and it can also be applied on metals such as aluminum and copper. This means that you will have a wide range of finishes.
Another advantage that comes with oil paint is its drying time. Oil paint takes longer to dry, which means you will have plenty of time to make changes and work on your creativity as an artist. Oil paint reacts chemically with oxygen in the air which means your painting will dry gradually to perfection.
Oil paints are excellent when it comes to blending with other colors. This gives an artist time to blend their creative strokes with the surroundings. When you use other paints, you will not be able to blend your artworks with other colors making oil paints simple to work with.
The good thing about oil paints is that they do not change texture and color when they dry. An artist can easily predict the outcome of their painting even before they finish it. Oil paint can be exposed to air for many hours, and it will not change the consistency of your painting. What Is the Main Advantage of Using Oil Paint? Let’s start by the basics:
Table of Contents
What Is Oil Paint?
Oil paint is a mixture of one or more pigments combined with a thinner such as turpentine and a binder which is the oil. The binder acts as a carrier that holds the pigments together when applied, the thinner makes the paint easy to apply on a surface, whereas the pigment provides the color element.
Simple oil paint contains Linseed oil, the most popular oil in most artistic paints because it provides flexibility and dries faster. A thinner such as turpentine is usually added to the pigment oil mixture to make it easy to apply using a brush. Additives can be added to promote appearance.
How Is Oil Paint Applied?
Oil paint can be applied on any medium, and the methods of application are flexible and varied. You can use a brush, palette knife, or even a piece of cloth. There are many brushes that you can use, and they include weasel hair, red sable, ox hair, and a wide range of synthetic brushes.
What Are Some of The Drawbacks of Using Oil Paint?
Oil paints normally take a long time to dry, so artists must wait longer for the final artwork. This becomes even more annoying when you are using dry underpainting or if you like using different washes. You will also not be able to move to the next stage if the current one is not dry.
Oil paints can easily blend with other colors, which means an artist can accidentally blend with other shapes and colors, making the artwork unclear and muddy. Combining different colors can make your work irreversible. Linseed oil also tends to age with time, making your artwork yellow or dark over time.
What Should You Do Before Using Oil Paint?
Oil paint has been in use for hundreds of years, and if you are a new artist, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Some people tend to think that oil paints have an unpleasant smell
, whereas others do not like the idea of working with toxic materials. Below are some safety tips for new artists.
Organize Yourself
Start by setting up a well-ventilated area where you will have all your palettes and supplies at your disposal. Make sure everything is visible before you start painting. Having a clean workspace will make you want to paint more often as it will simplify your work.
Know Your Brushes
Always buy high-quality brushes and make sure that they are of different sizes and shapes. As a beginner, you will need to experiment with each brush and get to know them better. Some people prefer using synthetic brushes, while others prefer natural hair brushes like bristle hog brushes.
Choose Your Painting Surface
Oil paint can be used on different surfaces such as pepper, wood, canvas, or even cardboard. Make sure to choose a primer that will work well with your chosen surface. Having a good primer will help protect your surface from acids in the paint. Your workspace should be smooth and easy to work on.
Limit Your Painting Palette
You should not be compelled to use all the colors at your disposal. Always start with monochrome painting, which includes one hue of shade and its tint. You can use any color as long as your work looks warm and cool. Gradually add other colors as you become better with time.
Start With Small Paintings
Any new artist should start by painting small because it gives you time to try out new techniques. Start by purchasing a small canvas board or a 10 by 10-inch canvas. Do not invest in expensive materials if you are still learning how to paint. Alternatively, you can use a piece of paper.
Understand The Painting Order
You need to know which paints follow the other systematically. For example, you need to use thick paint over thin, slow-drying paint over fast-drying, and fat over lean. This means that earlier layers will dry first before proceeding to the next step. This will prevent your paint from cracking.
Wash Your Brush
It is always important to keep your painting brushes clean before painting. Oil paints can be messy, but you should never give up. Always make sure you have a paper towel ready for wiping excess paint. Have two containers at your disposal when painting—one for mixing and the other for washing your brushes.
What You Did Not Know About Oil Paints
There are many myths and misconceptions that people have when it comes to oil paints. Some people think it is toxic. Others think it takes longer to dry, while others think it is not easy to use. Let me help you dispel some oil painting myths.
Oil Paints Are Toxic
This misconception has been in existence for many years, but the reality is that most oil paints are not toxic. Oil paint can be harmful only when you consume it, which is never recommended. Most oil paints are made of pigments and natural oils, which are non-toxic and safe to use.
Although there are a few toxic pigments such as cadmium, lead white, and cobalt which can be harmful when you breathe or eat. They are only harmful before the oil is mixed, but they can be substituted with synthetic alternatives which are safe to use.
Many people believe that oil paints have a toxic smell, but that smell comes from the solvent used to mix the paint. Turpentine or white spirit gives oil paint its smell,as most oil paints have little to no smell. Solvents are used to give oil paints fluidity and drying time.
When you leave turpentine lying around, it will fill your room with toxic fumes, but there is a solution to that. You can use linseed oil which is a safer alternative to turpentine. Linseed is scentless and will provide you with a safe environment to paint.
After painting, you can use soap to clean your brushes instead of using turpentine. Turpentine can be unsafe for pets, children, and yourself. So, the myth that oil paints are toxic depends on how you handle the paint and the medium you are using.
Oil Paints Are Difficult to Use
This misconception has nothing to do with oil paint but rather has a lot to do with education. Many artists who are beginners tend to struggle with oil paints and any other medium. Oil paint, just like any other paint type, requires proper education if you are to get better results.
I always believe that art does not require any rules, but education surely does. So, if you are trying out oil painting, you need to know that it is not the materials making it difficult but the lack of instructions. All you need is a skilled artist to help you perfect your oil painting skills.
Oil Paint Takes Long to Dry
This misconception can be true in certain circumstances, as it is with any other paint. Oil paint will take longer to dry, depending on how you use it. If you have thick layers, it will take longer to dry. But if you use a thin, smooth, opaque layer, it only takes 24 hours for it to dry.
Depending on the application, certain colors, such as white, may take a bit longer to dry. Painters who use puddling or impasto will have to wait two weeks, and if the layers are very thick, it can take several months to dry. Thinner paintings always dry up quickly.
Different mediums can also affect the drying time of your artwork. Linseed oil will make your paint dry after 6 hours, alkyd dries after 4 hours, and clove oil will keep your paint wet for several days or weeks. Always ensure you know the type of medium you are using to speed up the drying time.
What Are the Essential Oil Painting Supplies?
Anyone who wants to become a better painter knows that you need some oil painting supplies at your disposal before you start painting. Things such as turpentine and mineral spirits are just a few supplies you will need, but how does each supply play out into painting? Let’s get started.
Brushes
If you are just getting started with oil paints, you should not invest heavily in every type of brush. I recommend starting with one or two large, medium, and small round brushes. As you start painting, you will know which shape and size of brushwork are good for you and what you want to achieve.
Paint
Oil paint is the first thing you will need before any other supply. You can purchase a fully stocked kit with all the colors that you will need. Some of the colors you can buy should include ivory black, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, titanium white, cadmium yellow, and alizarin crimson.
Always make sure to check that you have purchased oil paint and not water-soluble oil paint. Water-soluble oil paint is a rather greater product that you do not need during your early days. It is also nice to have a couple of green and earthy brown colors at your disposal.
Linseed Oil
Linseed oil is used to dilute oil paints and just like mineral spirit and turpentine. It has an oil base that will make your medium softer to use and also helps it attain the ideal consistency. Linseed oil acts like water when used to mix watercolor paint.
Turpentine or Mineral Spirit
When using oil paint, you should not clean your brushes with water but instead use a paint thinning solution. Turpentine is the recommended solution, but you can also get an odorless mixture of mineral spirit, which is the best option.
Palette
This is the surface that you will use to mix your paint. It can be anything such as a piece of ceramic or glass or even a disposable book. Make sure that it is spacious enough to accommodate what you are doing, and it should not be crowded.
Final Words
Some of the other supplies you will need before you venture into oil painting include a cleaning jar for the brushes, newsprint or rags, painting surface, pencils, and an easel (Not for all artists).
Sources
- Learn How to Decide Between Oils, Acrylics, & Watercolors
- When Should You Use Latex Or Oil-Based Paint?