Trying to learn how to oil paint.

[LiberalLoner]

I have a lot of learning yet to do but the journey is fun and I feel lucky to have the time to play and the supplies to play with. I hope to get better with more study and practice, some day.

https://pin.it/VJ1dW76

[soothsayer]

1. Nice! Do you take an easel to the spot, or how does that work?

[LiberalLoner]

2. Oh, I just paint from a photo

I am disabled due to MS so I kind of have a hard time doing anything else.

Thank you!

[soothsayer]

3. You're off to a great start with the oils

Kudos

[LiberalLoner]

11. Thank you!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Oil painting is actually easier than watercolors, though it's messier,

because you can paint over your mistakes. But for best results, paint light colors over dark ones. Also look at the tube to see whether the paint you are using is opaque or transparent; it makes a difference. And mixing white paint with anything else will make that color opaque.

[LiberalLoner]

10. Thank you! I do have soooo much to learn, just starting. But it is WAYYYY easier than watercolors!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Really nice composition.

[LiberalLoner]

8. Thank you!

[LunaSea]

6. My favorite part is what you are NOT doing.

There is a tendency toward repeating shapes in beginning painters, most noticeably in things like clouds, trees and rocks.
Either by size, strokes or color a pattern often emerges that can spoil the realistic effect.
The hand, eye and mind find a rhythm that they are often not really aware of.
You seem to be avoiding that rut, particularly with the sky. It suggests you are actually seeing the subject rather than imagining it.
The subtle sky colors make it feel quite natural.
Well done.

[LiberalLoner]

7. Wow thank you!

[lunatica]

9. You'll love it!

Painting with oils is the best kind of experience a painter can have. It is very liberating in that you don’t need to worry about making mistakes. Just remember that mistakes in the art world are great opportunities to grow in technique as well as inspirationally. Mistakes are your teachers.

Oils are a wonderful medium for many reasons and very forgiving as well as satisfying. Your painting already shows you’re a seasoned artist who knows technique and can manifest your inner talent. Painting in oils will just make it all come out better and purer.

[LiberalLoner]

12. Thank you! I am in love with oils, except for the solvents which make me sick

When I breathe them. Working with lavender now instead of OMS to prevent the nausea and headaches. I thought I was painting in a well ventilated room but I guess not.

[lunatica]

13. That's why I gave up painting with oils, but

Here is a link to solvent free oil painting. Recently I’ve been thinking about starting with oils again.

https://gamblincolors.com/studio-safety/solvent-free-painting/

[LiberalLoner]

14. Thank you! The lavender stuff seems to be working okay for me so far...

I’m sorry the solvents made you sick too. I hope you take up oil painting again, but maybe try the lavender spike oil instead and maybe use brush dip instead of cleaning brushes with solvents.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. Your painting is really good, especially the clouds!

Keep at it!

[LiberalLoner]

16. Thank you! I am going to keep trying to learn more! ❤️

[flotsam]

17. Well-you are certainly not without talent!

I like your feeling for light. But then what do I know? I have trouble painting my shed...

[LiberalLoner]

18. Thank you! ❤️

[bif]

19. Very nice!

I paint in acrylics and have yet to venture into oils. I may someday. After I explore watercolors and pastels. Keep it up! You're a natural.

[LiberalLoner]

20. Thank you so much! I know what you mean, so many art supplies to explore!

[Mossfern]

21. Fantastic painting!

I was an oil painter, back in the day (nudes) - hold an MFA.

After rearing four kids, volunteer work, political office, work work, retirement, I decided to get back into it, but wanted a twist.
Unfortunately, there is nothing comparable to oils for me. I just tried "water soluble" oil paints a few minutes ago and was very frustrated. I don't know of any other medium that can work the exact way that oils do.

My pallet was my best friend and kept it as an indicator of my personality - nothing like an oil pallet.
Maybe there are better non-solvent type of oils out there. I don't know because I just started my re-entry into this universe.

I think you're doing it right - learn by doing and enjoy the journey!

[LiberalLoner]

22. Thank you so much! How do you do with lavender spike oil or M.Graham walnut based mediums?

[Mossfern]

23. I've only worked with linseed oil based paint

For the past 40 years I've been expressing my creative drive through gardening.
I used to 'wash' my hands with turpentine and never minded the odor.

There's so much new stuff out that I was completely lost at the art supply store!
I tend to be a traditionalist as far as media goes and am more of a "process" painter than a product painter.

[LiberalLoner]

24. There are wonderful products out there now...you don't need solvents at all...can use

The walnut oil by M Graham to clean your brushes, and as a medium....also alkyd walnut oil product for faster drying...

For solvents, lavender spike oil is costly but serves as turpentine without the headaches and sickness reactions. It does smell like lavender but doesn’t seem to cause the bad reactions that come with other solvents.

😀

[Mossfern]

25. Thanks for the information

Maybe it's just the brand of paint that I bought - I got the least expensive (Cobra) because I wanted to experiment with it.
What I found was that when I squeezed the paint out of the tube, it was separated with runny media and globby pigment. I've never had that experience with traditional oil paint. It dried very quickly and the 'glide" just wasn't there. It was almost impossible to blend the colors on the canvas because they dried way too quickly. I tried extending the color with medium and that didn't work either.

If you could recommend a good manufacturer, I'd appreciate it.
Are Grumbacher ones good?

[LiberalLoner]

26. I've heard they are good,

Most of my paints are Gamblin and Williamsburg and I have been very pleased with them.