Oil painting has been around for hundreds of year. It is considered an art form of the old masters of Europe. Mona Lisa’s famous oil painting is another example. Even though oil paintings are known for their glossy, rich finishes, some artists find them intimidating. However, they can produce beautiful works of art. Find out more?
Abstract art can be a beautiful technique. It is something that every artist should learn at least once. The quality and consistency of these paints can make them more difficult to use and take longer to cure than acrylics. It is important to only use one stroke per time and to go slowly, rather than quickly.
Are you apprehensive about painting with oil? Here are some guidelines to help you paint with oil paints.
Selecting the right materials is the first step in creating an abstract painting.
Paintbrushes of synthetic fibres should be collected.
A canvas can be either a plank of wood, or even paper.
Since water does not dissolve oils, you will need another solvent for your oil paints. We recommend linseed or a similar oil.
Mix your colors using a table or palette. Use a knife to do the mixing.
Towels or a rag.
A table easel can be used if needed.
In the second step, you will need to prepare your base.
If you want to paint an abstract, it’s important to know that oils are thick. They will seep into the canvas if a gesso primer is not applied. It is a primer that allows you to paint easily on it and will also repel any acids from your paints. Gesso will give you a much more smooth surface to work with.
Drawing your abstract idea in step four
To avoid smudging your strokes, it is better to sketch your abstract idea on the surface first. You do not have to draw out the entire art. After that, you can start to paint.
Layering your oil abstract artwork
It is important to note that you should apply a thicker layer of paint over the thinnest and slow-dry the first one. It means, in plain English, that the first coat should be thinner and with less oil. The next layer should be thicker and with more oil. This will allow the early layers to dry faster than later layers and ensure no cracks. Keep linseed oils at a 2:1 ratio because they tend to yellow over time but dry much faster than the other oil.
Tutorial on how to create an abstract oil paintings
After you’ve primed your canvas and drawn on it, it’s time to add different shades of colors. If you want to be able to better control shading and angles, it’s recommended that you use a color palette.
Start by using only a couple of colors. Next, paint one color and then add shades. Align them to your abstract concept.
Use a brush or a palette to blend the paint globs once you’ve placed them where they should be. Use a pallet knife to flatten out the paint globs, and then use a brush to blend them for a more uniform look. You can also dab paint in darker or lighter shades for small details.
Once the initial layer has dried, you can move on to darker shades. You can also use thicker paints to highlight angles and lines. You can create a texture by using the brush. It will create edges and bristles. Move the paintbrush in the direction that you would like the texture to appear.
Allow the paint to slowly dry, and then store it somewhere cool, dark and free of dust. It is possible that the paints will dry unevenly. Some may be matte while others have a shiny surface. But don’t fret, as you will apply a final varnish coat in a week to give it a gloss surface. And after eleven months, remove any conservator varnish and it should last for many years.