Straight lines in oil

[Cyclop3000]

Hello all. I am not new here but i'm not very active on the forums...

Anyways, I have a little question concerning oils. I've been painting in oils forever, but never took any classes or never any scholarship in arts, so I lack some basic skills. Like, how do you guys draw a nice straight line or edge while painting in oils?

I use medium to make my paint flow, and a long liner, but still I seem to make the worst straight lines. Do you guys use tools, like a ruler, tape (please say you don't!) or baguette or something?

Any help appreciated...thanks!
Steph.

[B u r l]

I think it's just a matter of practice (hand-eye co-ordination in this instance) and learning, to keep a steady hand,. For a tip, keep your wrist rigid when holding the brush, then use your upper arm to control the line. I usually find that way more easy, because your wrist can only go a short distance and is prone to twist a little.

I know painters sometimes use some sort of stick (but I forget the name) to rest against the canvas, which helps then keep a steady arm.

edit: Oh and by the way, you don't need to go to uni to learn these things. I've been doing art subjects for my 3rd year now and I've tought myself pretty much everything. Stick around here, read about, keep asking questions and practice.

:)

[Cyclop3000]

Thanks Burl ! I will put that into effect in my next piece :) And thanks for the uni tip, much appreciated and comforting...

Steph.

[panchosimpson]

Hi, try to use the side of a big flat bristle brush instead of a liner/rigger brush....you can also use one of your hands to hold your other wrist in place, just remember to use your whole arm to paint. The stick you rest your hand on is called a mahlstick. and yeah, flowing paint helps too.

[dorian]

depending on how accurate the placement needs to be you can use your whole arm to make one big straight movement that might get a nice straight line.
For smaller very precise sharp edges a painting knive is very handy, but usually only allows you to get one side of the stroke sharp so isn't that useful for lines.

[stephen]

tape or a ruler works, i used tape to mask in my last oil painting.

[dbclemons]

If you need an extremely hard edge then tape will work nicely. If it's too sharp I'd go back over it freehand. I would avoid any tape that's too sticky. If you load your paint on it heavily and wet it can bleed underneath and cause problems. I sometimes use tape by placing it a little outside the actual line so the paint doesn't touch it but can be used as a guide to keep a long line straight while painting freehand.

A support stick (called a maul stick) can be useful. Any stick of wood long enough with a protected end to not dent the fabric will work. Working flat as opposed to upright on an easel will let you rotate the artwork as needed.

[UNEXPLODEDduck]

I sometimes use a straight stick that i have, lie it against the canvas and paint up against the edge, if I need a really straight line. It can be good for adding some tension to a painting which complements the rest of the more free painting.

[Cyclop3000]

Hey thank you all for the great advice, it really helped and is much appreciated !