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Saturday, July 18, 2020

Getting Back to Oil Painting - Beginner Tips and Project



Hi Friends,

When I was a teenager I started Oil painting. I really enjoyed it.

It has been a VERY long time, but this seemed like a good time to pick it up again.

Have you thought about giving it a try?

You really don't need to spend a ton of money to get started.


Here are a few things you will need:

  • Oil Paints – Buy the best you can afford.  This is where you want to spend your money, because artist-grade paints have more concentrated pigments, so you can mix the colors without making mud.  I like Windsor & Newton. I found this beginner set on Amazon. 
Oil paints will not dry out in the tubes like acrylics,
 you can use a set like this for years.


This set contains 10 basic colors. Even more than you need to get started.









  • Gamsol (This is to thin the paint and clean brushes.  You can also use turpentine, paint thinner, etc.) – You can find this at Michael's crafts.
  • Container for Gamsol/solvent (You can also use a glass jar with a screw-on lid) – 




  • Canvas panel - I found mine at the Dollar Tree. I found both styles, but I think I like the flat canvas 
                                                             board best for the small paintings. 

I'm having fun with these 4" X  6" postcard size boards.

This is what the back sides look like.



  • Palette – I use a wood palette, but you can order a glass one (white or gray), a paper palette , or use a paper plate, a piece of cardboard, or even parchment paper used for baking.
  • Paper towels-For clean ups and blotting.
  • Soap to clean brushes & hands – I use Murphy’s Oil soap to clean my brushes and baby oil to clean my hands.  You can also use an olive-oil-based soap or any soap that will clean off oil and grease.
  • Easel – optional- You may want to prop up your canvas against something sturdy
  • Brushes – I am using just a couple of small brushes. I found a set of 3 at the Dollar Tree. They worked surprisingly well. I had a pallet knife to mix paint, you could probably use a plastic knife for mixing. Keep your oil brushes separate from other brushes.



Squeeze a dime size amount of paint on your palette paper.

For my landscape I used only these colors-

Titanium White -Ultramarine Blue - Burnt Sienna -Burnt Umber-
 Cadmium Yellow -Viridian Green 



There's nothing as intimidating as a white blank canvas!

Let's change that.


I used a little Burnt Umber mixed with Gamsol.

Painted the entire canvas with my wide brush.


Mixed some Viridian and Burnt Umber for my

horizon line.

I decided where I wanted my clouds.

I used a paper towel to blot away the paint.






Mixing Blue and some white to paint the sky.

The sky will be a lighter blue at the horizon.


Use small strokes and layer your paint colors, dark to light.

There is no wrong way to make your clouds!

If you don't like your painting, step away and come back to it later.



Oil paints are very forgiving, 

You can make changes up until your paint dries....and there are ways even after that!

Depending on how thick your paint is it could take a week to dry.

These mini paintings are just for fun and don't need a lot of detail.

You can use a pencil to draw on the canvas if you are not feeling

confident. I say go for it!
















When I was finished, this was my palette.



My beautiful mess!




If you have a lot of paint left at the end of your painting session ,

fold over your paper and save in a ziplock bag.




I found this great box at the thrift store to keep me organized.






That was so much fun, I had forgotten how relaxing it is to paint.

I can't wait to get more of the mini canvases.

















Tell me in the comments if you are picking up an old activity

or are you learning something new.

Thank you for visiting.

You are the best!

xo Lisa S



25 comments:

  1. You have a very nice touch, and a great palette of colors. I returned to some watercolors last summmer, and it was so relaxing and a great way to get lost away from the 'real' or 'surreal' world we are living in. The Dollar stores are a great way for anyone to find art supplies. Very Nice Post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandi
      Thank you for that nice comment! I really appreciate those that can paint with watercolors. It takes so much talent. Do you share your paintings on line? I'd love to see your work. I'm going to work on some beach scenes next- xo Lisa S

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    2. Hi, I did show all of my work from last year, my step back in- for Watercolor Month, July 2019 on my blog. https://oldnewgreenredoblog.blogspot.com
      I've been busy with other things this year, but plan to start in as soon as it isn't so hot. I love painting on our screened in porch with all the natural light surrounding me. Light makes such a difference in your final results. Hugs, Sandi

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    3. Sandi
      You are a wonderful artist and teacher! I looked through your series. I loved everything-but I gasped out loud at your shiny teapot- GORGEOUS! oh and Barbie still life portrait- Genius and beautiful.
      xo Lisa S

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  2. I really like how you displayed your oil paintings hanging from the picture frame! I wish I had time to try oil painting. I'll just enjoy admiring art like yours for now.

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  3. I haven't done oil painting in years!! When my grandmother passed away I did take her whole kit of oil paints and supplies and had every intention of starting back up again but I have yet to even take them out of the box. They turned out so cute! I too find painting so relaxing and have been painting on canvas using acrylic paints but I kind of miss that smell of turpentine and oil paint. Reminds me of the art lessons we used to take in this extremely talented artist's basement when I was in grade school.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really brought me back and I love all the smells and the feel of the paint. Painting takes some patience, starting with a mini canvas was very rewarding. Oh I hope you get a chance to get into your Grandmothers paints ;) She would have loved it.
      xo Lisa S

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  4. I loved how beautifully you drew the clouds .Its almost like a scene unfolding.From the pitstop

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    Replies
    1. Amrita you are so kind! Thank you so much.
      xo Lisa S

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  5. These are lovely, Lisa! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you dear friend for your sweet words!
      xo Lisa S

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  6. I love your clouds, and I can see that this would be a stimulating and creative pursuit!

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    Replies
    1. Michele,
      Thank you for the encouragement!
      You are a sweetie-
      xo Lisa S

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  7. Lisa,
    OMG, you did a wonderful job. I love those mini paintings. I haven't painted in years. I did oil painting and then moved to charcoal, which I really liked. I haven't done that either in years.
    You need to keep painting, you are doing a great job.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bev,
      It was so fun getting back into painting. I am on a mission to find more tiny canvases now. Thank you for the encouragement!
      You are a sweet friend.
      xo Lisa S

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  8. Lisa,
    I am so proud of you painting again. Congratulations, you are being featured at Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by.
    https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/07/thursday-favorite-things_30.html
    Hugs,
    Bev

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bev
      Oh you made my day! Thank you my friend.
      xo Lisa S

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  9. I love that you are getting back into this! Your paintings look great!

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    Replies

    1. Amysenter,
      Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words.
      So glad you stopped by-
      xo Lisa S

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  10. Wow your paintings look great. I've been watching Ms. Mustard Seed but I'm too intimidated to start. This looks like something much more approachable. Thanks you!

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    Replies
    1. Andrea,
      Thank you so much. You are right! A smaller canvas is less intimidating. It gave me confidence to just do it.
      Come on Andrea, you can do it too :)
      xo Lisa S

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  11. Hi Lisa, your art is so wonderful. thankyou so much for linking up for All About Home. You've really inspired me to get back to oils for something small and manageable. I'm featuring your post at AAH Monday evening.

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    Replies
    1. Debra,
      You blessed my heart! I'm so happy I inspired you :)
      Thank you so much for the feature. I will be over to visit!
      xo Lisa S

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