Oil Painting Basics question.

[JoelNoel]

Hi all,

Can someone help me out here with a book or resource that goes over the basics of oil painting?

I mean in terms of what to prime boards and stuff with, what are you supposed to use to prime stuff with? I've used white arcrylic paint on the still life im currently working on, but its come out looking a bit matted. Its on a bit of wood I found in the shed.


Any help would be great...


cheers

[nafa]

Take a look at this link:

http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/oil/oils.html

Plenty of instructions like this are within easy reach of an internet search.

[dbclemons]

Look for Ralph Mayer's book The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques. It's the most common one mentioned in most art schools, and is a good reference source.

-David

[Galkyd]

If you want to paint on wood, I know I prefer it to canvas sometimes, I would suggest using gesso. Acrylic gesso is fine, just use 3 or 4 coats and sand it real well after each coat so you have a smooth surface.

[JoelNoel]

Hey all


* a very big thank you for the help, really*


I have some books, but they havent really answered my questions - so please dont think me lazy.


dbclemons - thanks man, appreciate the pointer.

Galkyd - OK that sounds good. I will go and have a ferret in the art store for some. I did an undercoat of Liquitex White acrylic for my painting, but im not sure if i've done it properly cos the paints all matted looking - maybe i could varnish it later. Maybe its something todo with the water-soluable oils im using.

But anyway, many thanks guys!

cheers!

[dbclemons]

[QUOTE=JoelNoel]Hey all

...Galkyd - OK that sounds good. I will go and have a ferret in the art store for some. I did an undercoat of Liquitex White acrylic for my painting, but im not sure if i've done it properly cos the paints all matted looking - maybe i could varnish it later. Maybe its something todo with the water-soluable oils im using.
...QUOTE]

Varnishing too early can be a big problem. Sounds like you need to oil it out. Be sure it's dry, then just take a small amount of medium and dab it over the dull spots with a cloth then let that dry for a couple days. I use water-mixable paints too, and like them a lot.

-David

[JoelNoel]

Hey

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have to get a specific medium for the water soluable oils?


regards

[dbclemons]

It's recommended that you do (keep it all the same) but not required since they also work with oils. The more oil you mix in the less water-mixable it is, which defeats the purpose of using it to begin with. Winsor & Newton has a complete range of water-mixable types (linseed, stand oil, etc) so that's the one brand I use.

-David