The Basics Of Oil Painting For Beginners
Many types of art rely on dying the canvas (for example, the use of water colors). Oil painting, by contrast, uses various types of oils to bond pigments to a canvas. Due to the types of oils and pigments used, the canvas dries with a hardened and textured surface.
The methods that we know as oil painting were largely popularized in the 15th century. However, long before this (some believe as far back as the 5th century), there is evidence that people were using oils and pigments to create art. The earliest examples of this method of creating art come from the east, and specifically China.
The shear diversity of materials that can be used in the process make this such an exciting form of art for a beginner to get involved in. An array of natural oils can be be put to canvas, each modifying the colors and textures of the pigments in different ways. For example, walnut, poppyseed and linseed oils are all commonly used to achieve different effects.
As an aside, note that oil paints are also used throughout industry. Their resilient nature (museums around the world house art that remains in good condition that is hundreds of years old) and the fact that they dry to form a hard and protective shield means that paints based on oils are often used in the construction industry.
Beginners often find it beneficial to purchase a range of pigments and at least of few different types of oils. They can be picked up at fairly low cost, and obtaining a selection of different types means that the beginner can quickly get experimenting and learn what types of paints should be used to achieve different effects. It is also important to note that producing significantly impressive works in this style can take a lot of practice; however, the learning process can also be very enjoyable.
Even advanced artists often find that it helps to create a sketch before using the paints. This can be in a separate book, to simply be used as a guide. You should not be afraid to mark the canvas, however, with a soft pencil; the oils will later hide the pencil marks.
As previously mentioned, mastering this type of art will take dedication and practice. This means that all but a lucky few naturally talented people should expect to make some mistakes. Purchase a number of cheap canvases and continue painting even if the piece is not coming out as expected; each error is simply a learning opportunity.
Oil painting is far from the easier form of art for a beginner. However, it is a form of art that has been created by people for hundreds of years; the elegance of finished pieces and the enjoyment that the process can create makes it a very worthwhile pursuit.
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