Many things should be considered when a person wants to begin working on oil paintings. Here are a few simple tips about painting with oil. These will be very helpful for anyone who is considering taking up the hobby.
Choosing the right brushes is the most important thing. Never use cheap brushes with oil paintings because the bristles will end up falling off on the painting. It can be difficult to get the bristles out of the paint without smudging the picture. A good set of brushes is a very wise investment when you are painting with oils. Be sure to get a mix of flat and round brushes. The flat for painting larger things and the round for details. Creating a hand-painted painting needs the right brushes.
If you are thinking about painting with acrylics, invest in a good set of nylon paint brushes also. Never use the nylon brushes with the oil paints. Acrylic paints are common for artists who want to use it as a base for oil paintings. This is because the acrylic dries quickly and can save a lot of time on a painting. The oil paints are then applied on top of the acrylic. Nylon brushes should be used with acrylic. Never mix and match your brushes with different types of paint.
Paint brush care is very important. A smart painter knows how to properly store and clean out their brushes when they are done with their oil paintings. It is important so the brushes do not dry out or become ruined. A painter might learn the hard way just once over an expensive set of brushes that they are not properly taking care of them. There are many types of brush cleaners and preservers on the market that can be purchased for proper care of paint brushes.
Appropriate lighting makes a big difference with oil paintings also. The best light comes from the natural sunlight outdoors. Some painters like to paint outside on a patio or deck where they can see what the colors being used will really look like. A painting that is painted in poor lighting might look very different when it is exposed in the natural light. Fluorescent lighting works well. It is common for artists to work in rooms with many windows to bring in the natural light. When painting in a room without windows be sure to use a lot of lighting.
When painting oil paintings it is also important to have proper ventilation in the studio. Oil paints and thinners have chemicals that are toxic to breathe in. No one should paint with oils in a closed room. It can be bad for people who have respiratory problems like asthma and other things. A ceiling fan or other various fans are a good idea, in addition to having windows open in the room. The ideal situation for a painter is to work outdoors in the fresh air. This way there will be no problems with ventilation and breathing in the chemicals.
