How to paint with oil paints: a guide for beginners. Oil paintings for beginners step by step

The greatest masterpieces were painted with oil paints; masters of painting and famous artists still give their preference to them. But working with such paints has its own unique characteristics and peculiar differences in techniques. Therefore, many beginning artists have some difficulties in painting. In this article we will try to figure out how to paint with oil paints, what types they are, and also consider several techniques in oil painting.

In specialized stores, oil paints are presented in a large assortment; there are many brands under which such art products are sold. What is special about oil paints?

The composition includes various pigments: mineral, organic, synthetic and earthen. The same components are present in other types of paints, be it acrylic or watercolor.

Oil paints differ from others in the binding component - linseed oil. It is this that gives the brightness and saturation of color, and it is because of it that such paints take a long time to dry. But a fresh layer of oil applied to the canvas can be changed, that is, you can repeatedly adjust the drawing and apply new layers on top of the old ones.

Another feature of oil paints is that they are diluted not with water, but with a special solvent, which also uses vegetable oil. This thinner is sold in art stores, just like the paints themselves.

What types are there?

In every specialized store you can find three types of paints:

• Highly artistic. These are paints that are purchased by professionals in their field. They consist only of high-quality components, and therefore have a high cost. But for a good painting you need good paints that will not lose their shine or change color over time.

• Studio. They are no less in demand than the first option and behave well on canvas. Suitable for both professional and beginner artists.

• Sketchy. They are more suitable for beginners in the art business, since at a low cost you can purchase a sufficient number of paints and choose your own application technique.

Manufacturers of oil paints are located in many countries around the world. Experienced artists have already selected for themselves the options that are suitable for the job. Many people combine their sets from different companies, which is also acceptable.

Oil paints are also divided into transparent and opaque. The latter are denser in structure and therefore do not allow light to pass through them. Each package must have special markings. For example, the designation “*” indicates the durability and longevity of the paint on the canvas. The more such symbols on the paint, the longer the finished canvas will last. The best paints last more than 100 years.

The symbol in the form of a filled black square indicates that the paint is not transparent; if it is half transparent, it is translucent.

The pigments that give paint a particular color can be divided into organic and inorganic. The first type gives brighter shades, and the second gives natural colors. With a good ratio of pigments, manufacturers achieve beautiful and high-quality shades.

For the production of oil paints, imported linseed oil is usually used, since flax, which does not grow on the territory of the Russian Federation, has unique properties, thanks to which art paints have their own unique quality characteristics.

On video: how to choose paints for oil painting.

About drawing techniques

Preparing for creativity does not take much time, especially since in modern art stores you can purchase everything you need for work. Already stretched and primed, canvases can be found in any size - from the smallest to the largest.

A painting done with oil paints looks very impressive. The strokes applied by the artist look as if they are separate from each other. Many people think that oil painting is a fairly simple activity, but this is absolutely not the case. Let's try to figure out how to learn to paint with oil paints.

Each master has his own drawing technique, which has its own characteristics. The standard ones are:

• multi-layer application;
• alla prima - one layer.

Performing multi-layer application is a very complex technique in which you need to be as careful as possible, knowing all the properties and characteristics of oil paints. It is necessary to work in the same style and not dilute the paint in order to finish the job faster. A diluted composition may appear more matte and dull on the canvas than other parts. With this technique, the whole job will take more than one or two tubes of paint.

When applying one layer, be aware that the paint may shrink and cracks will appear in the painting. In this case, artists let the first layer dry completely and paint the second. Many craftsmen use this technique more often, since the material consumption is lower.

Basic Rules

So, let's learn how to paint in oils. What rules must be followed:

1. A prerequisite for painting any picture is light. Only properly set lighting can achieve the desired effect.
2. Artists begin their work with the outline of the future painting. Coal works well for this. It can be easily wiped off with a rag and the failed element can be re-drawn. The lines that are drawn with charcoal must be fixed on the canvas.
3. In a painting, all the tones and shadows are obtained by constantly mixing colors. You need to clearly understand what colors need to be mixed to achieve this or that shade.
4. Masters begin to paint their picture from the most striking elements of the composition. That is, first you need to select the darkest element and the lightest one. Then you can start all the other details.
5. Once the basic sketch is done, you can move on to drawing. But you shouldn’t focus your attention on one element. It is necessary to gradually use the entire canvas.
6. Artists recommend using white in much larger quantities than paints of other colors, since they are used more often.
7. The finished painting takes three days to dry, so you can make adjustments to the canvas the day after the work is completed. The missing area can be removed with a spatula. This will not harm the canvas or the entire painting as a whole. The work will remain just as solid.
8. For beginning craftsmen and amateurs, using professional paints is not profitable, since beginners will mostly draw sketches.
9. For oil paints, you need to prepare a special storage place. What you need for painting (paints, brushes, canvas, palette) should be in one place, and at the first need they can be taken and used.
10. After the canvas has completely dried, do not wipe the surface with a dirty rag or touch it with your hands. This may harm the appearance of the overall design.

Step by step painting with oil paints looks something like this.

Artists who can boast of a large number of canvases will tell you how to paint your first paintings correctly. There are certain painting techniques for oil painting on canvas. A novice artist needs to start working under the supervision of an experienced teacher. As soon as the painted drawings begin to work out and your techniques are identified, you can paint in oils yourself.

Sellers at art supply stores can also tell you what to write on with oil paints and how to start painting. There are many schools where people of any age learn to paint. Learn to draw only from good masters of painting!

Master classes on oil painting (2 videos)

Paintings step by step (23 photos)

Painting is a great way to become a creative person. If you want to channel your inner Rembrandt or Pollock, you can learn how to start developing the skills and acquire all the necessary materials that will allow you to paint the paintings you want. Learn how to choose paints and brushes, choose the appropriate theme for what you want to depict on the canvas. See Step 1 for more information.

Steps

Part 1

Watercolor. The most accessible, cheap and easy to use watercolor paint comes either in tubes or small plastic trays with several color palettes. Depending on the quality of the paint, watercolor can be light or quite lively and bright. This is a beautiful and effective way to start, especially for landscapes and whimsical still lifes.

• Most watercolor paints are thick and heavy, and to use them, you need to first wet the brush in water and thin the paint with water or mix the paint with water on the palette. It is a thin and light paint, making it very suitable for beginners, although it can be a little difficult to control.
• Start with good quality paint to avoid disappointment when starting out. Sennelier watercolor paints are available in both trays and tubes. These are much higher quality paints than your school watercolors. Try trays to avoid having to buy a lot of paints separately. It is also convenient in terms of keeping all the paints in one place. Schminke, Windsor & Newton are also considered quality brands that are widely available in professional stores.

1. Acrylic paint is quick-drying but just as versatile as oil paint. It is the most common for both amateurs and professional artists. Water-based acrylic paints are easy to use and widely available in professional and specialty art stores, ideal for painting intricate details and abstract masterpieces. They are less expensive than oil paints, but no less professional.

   • Acrylic paint is most often found in tubes, like oil paint, and can be mixed on a palette with plain water to dilute and create new colors. Because of this, this paint dries very quickly and is ideal for base tones to bring out depth and detail in landscapes, portraits and other types of paintings.

2. Oil paint. This is the most versatile, professional and bright paint. It is also the most expensive and takes the longest to dry, but offers all sorts of advanced mixing techniques and provides a wide range of options for professional artists. This may not be the best type of paint for beginners, but it's worth considering in the future or experimenting with if you're looking for a challenge.

   • Oil paint is often sold in water-soluble blocks, which can be used in the same way as watercolor and can dry a little faster than traditional tube oil paints. To get a variety of primary colors, you need to learn how to mix paints to reduce paint costs.
   • Unless you want the paint to be squeezed straight out of the tube onto the canvas in large drops, like in De Kooning's paintings (amazing to look at, but super expensive), then you will need a thinner in addition to the paint.
   • If you paint with oil paints, you must first coat the surface with an acrylic primer, otherwise the paint will damage the canvas or paper. Any painting surface, palette or mixing board should also be primed to prolong its life.

3. Make paint from natural ingredients. Who said you have to buy paint? Use berries, tea emulsions or even ashes. These are excellent methods, depending on the story you are trying to create.

   • Food-based paints can change color over time (or can rot, depending on how you look at it). This can give your painting a time-based element, changing over the days and weeks after you complete the painting. Fix your egg paint before it starts to stink and finish it on time or go over it with acrylic paint to set it.

4. Choose the right brushes for the job. Depending on the type of paint, you will ultimately have to choose the brushes needed to work with it.

   • Use a round tip watercolor brush. Synthetic brushes with a flat tip are best for acrylic paints, while brushes with a walnut tip are best for oil paints. You can experiment with different brush fibers to see what suits your needs.

5. Prepare other necessary materials to start drawing. To keep your clothes clean and your paints organized in one place, you need a few more things besides great paints and brushes.

   Part 2

   Start

   1. Prepare a place for painting. Put on some old clothes and have all your supplies ready to get started. Any painting project is likely to result in a bit of a mess, so it's important to prepare for this and avoid paint stains on the carpet or other surfaces that will then be impossible to remove. To get started, find an open area with plenty of light.

      • It is common practice to use an easel for painting, but this is not necessary. Find a hard surface, such as an old clipboard, to hold your watercolor paper in place, or set the canvas on a table covered with old paper or newspaper.
      • Place newspapers or old paper on the floor and any surface that may come into contact with the paint. You won't have to worry about dripping paint if you've secured everything well, so you can concentrate entirely on creating the painting.

   2. Draw a sketch of the painting with a pencil, although this is not a required step. You can always just start drawing, but a sketch can be useful for sketching out the basic shape of an object to use as a guide. If you want to draw a pot of flowers, you shouldn't draw out tiny details, but having a diagram of the petals on paper before adding color may be a good idea.

      • Use contour lines to sketch out the basic shape and gestural lines to get a sense of space between objects within subjects. The painting will be made up of many small shapes, as if from many small paintings. Try to focus on the relationship between things.
      • Locate the beginning of the line illuminating your subject and begin to look at how the shadow falls, which you will need to highlight with color and line.

   3. Mix colors. Spend some time mixing paints on your palette and trying to get the colors you want to use for your painting. Some artists will be really concerned with getting the image as "real life" accurate as possible, while others may want to change things up a bit. There is no specific right way to do this.

      • Mix small amounts of colors to make test lines to see how the color looks against a white background. Don't mix a whole tube of white paint and blue paint to get a blue color. Make as much paint as you need.
      • Tint your bright colors with a little white to soften them, or add black to create different shades of color. Adding the opposite color of the color wheel to one paint will give you an endless range of possibilities.
      • Using different contrasting colors in your painting will help create a more dynamic sense of color. Use many tones and shades if you are serious about color.

   4. Practice using brushes. Learn to use, clean and care for your brushes before you start painting. Before you dive into your masterpiece, gain some experience by learning how to pick up just the right amount of paint with your brush and practicing drawing smooth, even lines. Don't worry about what you're painting, just paint something, mixing colors and thinning the paint.

      • Use short and long strokes. Use as little paint on your brush as possible to get the result you are going for. Do not saturate the paper with ink. Use different brushes for different types of effects such as blotting, sketching and stippling.

   5. First, draw the background. Typically, the background is painted first, working from the back to the face of the painting. This allows you to go from general details to specific ones, adding layers to create small details rather than the other way around. If you start with the petals, the painting may end up looking unbalanced. Experiment to see what works best for you.

      • Bob Ross, everyone's favorite TV painter, was excellent at starting with a background and using his imagination to work his way out. He would usually find complementary colors and drybrush a background in pleasant sunset tones, and then begin painting trees and other natural scenes without planning. This is a great way to start painting on canvas.

      Part 3

      Painting a picture

      1. Start drawing and let accidents happen. Just start painting carefully, using a small amount of paint on the brush to start forming the shape. If you are guided only by your imagination, let the paint create the shapes and you follow them. If you've already started with a sketch, once you've drawn a nice background on paper or canvas, you can start layering colors on the shapes to create a sense of space.

         Add colors from light to dark. Determine your light source and shadows to start adding significance. Start adding the lightest colors and gradually build up darker tones. It's much easier when the darker color layer becomes lighter, rather than the other way around. Don't put yourself in a hopeless situation. Mix small amounts of paint, adding color judiciously and slowly.

      2. Use a brush to create texture. Vary the amount of paint on your brushes and the types of strokes you use to create different textures. Short, small strokes can look like fur, while longer, smooth strokes will even out the paint. Using less paint can help to age the piece, while another stroke can thicken it and add density.

         • If you ruin part of the painting by adding too much paint, don't panic. Embrace your happy accidents and integrate them into your painting. Don't spend too much extra time adding another layer on top, just let your blemish be there and look back at it at the end to see how it affected the overall composition. Keep moving forward.

This is a picture with a specific image, which is pre-divided into numbered zones, each of which should be painted with the paints included in the set.

By painting all the numbered zones one by one with the colors corresponding to them, you get a finished image that will look like a real masterpiece of a professional artist. After drying, the picture can be placed in a frame and decorated with any interior, or presented as a gift to friends.

Surprisingly, Leonardo Da Vinci himself used the paint-by-numbers method; his students painted numbered areas on the sketches he drew.

The Paint by Numbers kit includes:

• water based acrylic paints
• canvas with printed contours
• drawing-scheme
• brushes depending on the size of the painting (3-4 pcs.)

1. Before you start coloring pictures by numbers, choose a comfortable and well-lit place to work.

2. In addition to the coloring set, prepare:

• glass of water - for washing brushes
• sponge or cloth - for wiping excess paint from the brush and hands
• toothpicks - for stirring paints (if this is intended)
• saucer or plate - container for mixing colors

3. Depending on the manufacturer, the paint jars may either already be numbered, or the kit contains a set of stickers for the lids of the paint jars, which should be applied to them before painting. If the set includes 2 jars of the same color, then you can use a permanent marker or pen to mark the second jar; for convenience, you can duplicate the numbers on the side of the jars.

4. Before starting work, prepare paints for painting.

5. Open cans of paint carefully, without using force, otherwise you may damage it, break it, or spill some of the paint.

6. After opening the jar, a small amount of paint may remain on the inside of the lid, which should be removed back into the jar with a brush. After this, thoroughly stir the paint with a toothpick.

7. Before you start painting, you need to adjust the viscosity of the paints. If the paint is too thick, it must be thinned with water by adding water using a brush. There is no need to try to make the paints too liquid, otherwise they will become too transparent and will not be able to paint over the outline on the coloring page.

8. Work with the brush correctly! The brush should be held like a pen. And the picture must be positioned so that it is convenient to color it.

9. Try to dip only the tip of the brush into the paint, and not the entire brush.

10. Be patient! Paint with the tip of the brush without bevelling it to paint the area faster. Do not press the brush too hard, use gentle pressure to glide it easily across the canvas.

11. The sets, as a rule, come with brushes with a small base diameter for easy painting of small areas of the picture. Painting large areas with a small brush is not always convenient, so if you have larger diameter brushes, you can use them.

12. Rinse your brush thoroughly before you are ready to take a different color so that the paints in the jars do not mix, because even the smallest drop of dark paint will turn a light color into a completely different shade. If you accidentally stain light paint, carefully remove the dark shade from the surface of the paint using a cotton swab.

13. Do not try to put a lot of paint on the brush; it is better to dip the brush into the paint a little and more often than to drop a drop of paint on the drawing, thereby ruining it. If you do accidentally drop paint on your drawing, you can carefully wash off the drop with water, removing the excess with a dry sponge.

14. After drying, the picture will acquire a slight gloss. In order to “extend the life” of your creation, you can optionally coat it with varnish, which can be purchased at any art store. You can choose 2 types of varnish: glossy - will enhance the brightness of colors, or matte - will remove glare.

15. To preserve the effect of the painting, you should not place it under glass, just frame it. Do not forget that you need to look at the picture and evaluate it from a distance of about 2-3 meters.

If you think that only artists can draw, then you are mistaken. Holding a brush in your hands and moving it over the host is very popular even for those who do not know all the intricacies of this art. Using paint-by-numbers kits, even schoolchildren can become real artists.

Instructions

If you've never held a brush before, try painting with watercolors first. This will allow you to practice the basics of the art of drawing. First sketch out the outlines of the drawing, then begin to work it out with paints, layer by layer. Remember that after each layer of paint applied, the drawing must be allowed to dry.

The technique of working with paints is more complex. First prepare, it will require linen or hemp fabric. Cotton, synthetic and other fabrics are not suitable. Stretch the canvas onto a stretcher and secure with staples or small nails. The surface of the stretched canvas should be smooth, without distortions.

Moisten the canvas with warm water from a spray bottle, then glue it with cooled wood glue; the consistency should resemble thick jelly. Apply glue with a shoe brush, remove excess with a metal ruler. All pores must be closed, but the mesh texture of the canvas must remain - this is important.

Dry the canvas at room temperature. If tubercles from thickening of the threads are visible on it, you need to carefully sand these places with a piece of pumice. Sand carefully to preserve the texture of the canvas. Use a brush to sweep away the pumice powder, then glue the canvas again with liquid heated glue and dry thoroughly.

Prime the canvas. There are many soil recipes, find and choose the most suitable one for yourself. One of the recipes (casein soil, in parts by weight): casein - 10-15, ammonia (25%) - 2-3, honey or glycerin - 2-3, pigment - 20-35, water - 120-160. Various types of white are used as pigments - barite, lead, etc. You can use ready-made store-bought soil. The primed and dried canvas should be white, without stains, and the texture of the canvas should be visible on it.

Draw a drawing of the future painting on paper, then transfer it to canvas. Apply the first thin layer of paint - underpainting. For it, you can use diluted oil paints; the underpainting lays out the color and tone of the picture. At this stage, do not work on fine details and shadows. Let the underpainting dry.

Start working on the shadows and details of the picture. This is the most difficult part of the job and takes up most of the time. There are different painting techniques: paint can be applied in large strokes, in relief, or very thinly, without hiding the texture of the canvas. The second method allows you to save paint, while the surface of the painting with the visible relief of the canvas turns out to be very beautiful.

Working with the last layers of the painting, add linseed oil or varnish to the paints. This will make the colors more saturated. The finished canvas must dry very well - it is usually recommended to wait at least a year, but many modern artists consider several weeks sufficient. After this, cover the picture with a colorless varnish - for example, acrylic-pistachio, acrylic-styrene.