Painting in oils requires more than just oil paints. How much more? Well, that depends on what you want to achieve, what you are satisfied with and even how patient you are. Lets start with the last first.
PATIENCE
Compared to other mediums, such as acrylics and watercolours, oil paint generally takes much longer to dry. How much longer depends on such factors as how thickly the paint has been applies. The nature of the pigment is also important because some colours dry faster than others. Titanium White, for example, is a fast dryer. But for any colour, the more thickly one applies the paint the longer it will take to dry. And one is storing up trouble for the future by adding more paint when that underneath is not fully dry. An initial layer of paint must be thoroughly dry before adding more if subsequent sagging and cracking is to be avoided.
That said, there are ways to accelerate the drying process. One way is to buy Winsor & Newton's Griffin Alkyd oil paint. Alkyd resin and solvent is used in the suspension of the oil pigment, which reduces drying time. The paint will dry in a day or a couple of days depending on atmospheric conditions. and it can be possible to complete an oil painting in one session.
There are also fast drying mediums available which one mixes with the oil paint to shorten drying time. An example is Artisan Fast Drying Medium. Liquin Original not only improves the flow of paint but also cuts drying time by approximately half. Linseed oil is often used by artists to thin out oil paint, especially when additional coats of paint are being applied to prevent subsequent cracking, but Drying Linseed Oil will also accelerate drying time. Liquin Oleopasto is a medium, which is fast drying and does not yellow with time. Most suppliers of artist's materials carry a range of drying accelerants and their catalogues (often available through the internet) describe their individual characteristics and uses.
MEDIUMS
There is a wide range of other mediums available which, when mixed with oil paints, modify the characteristics of the latter. For example, Winsor & Newton's Artists Painting medium improves the flow of oil paint by thinning it out, which may (or may not) be desirable, depending on one's individual style and the immediate objective in a picture or part of an image. Liquin Impasto Medium retains brush strokes and allows more time for blending different areas of shade or colour.
Oil based mediums are made by combining oil and solvents and are a traditional approach. On the other hand, alkyd mediums employ alkyd resins and solvents and can be used with oil paints because they work in a similar way to linseed oil. This type, as indicated above, reduces the drying time of oil paints.
EASELS
These come in all shapes and sizes, some in metal, some in wood. Some are for painting, some for drawing. Some stand on the floor, some on a tabletop. So one of the prime determinants is how much space you have available - and the amount of money, because their prices vary enormously.
ARTIST'S PALETTE
A pallet is for holding and mixing the paint. The traditional type is kidney shaped with a thumbhole cut out for an easy grip. There are also the watercolour types with a number of wells or compartments. These can also be useful for the painter in oils, especially if paint is being mixed very thinly.
AND OTHER STUFF
This includes pencils (lead, graphite, charcoal), rubbers and, perhaps, an apron or old clothes just used for painting in, since it can become a messy business! You will also need thinners or white spirit and at least a few pallet knives for mixing (and possibly) applying paint.
You will also need some supports - the things you paint on. Canvass stretched and fastened to a frame is traditional and easily available. But wood and boards are also used.
Having gathered all this stuff together, you are ready to begin developing a few (or even more!) masterpieces.
AUTHOR: A K Whitehead
This article is copyright but may be reproduced providing that all this information is included.
Web site: http://www.paintingsinoil.co.uk/ where quality paintings are available with free frames and free delivery in the UK. At the oil paintings gallery at http://www.paintingsinoil.co.uk/gallery.html full information is available.
A K Whitehead paints in a traditional manner, making especial use of glazing and impasto techniques. His work covers landscapes, waterscapes, snowscapes and seascapes. He is a member of the Association of All Artists. Original images are for sale at realistic prices that include frames and delivery.
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