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The Oil Painting Techniques That Are Used Commonly

By Christine Ward


Oil painting produces some of the most magnificent pieces of art. The technique has been in existence for centuries and used pigments obtained from various types of seeds. Examples of these seeds include linseed, poppy seed, safflower and walnut among others. It is possible for the artist to prepare the oil paints themselves or to buy them from art supply stores. We will look at examples of oil painting techniques that are commonly used.

One of the most popular techniques is the use of layers. In this method, the artist will first paint one layer on the canvas and let it dry. Other colors are then applied in an overlapping manner so that they completely cover those underneath them. The general advice when this method is used is that one chooses lighter colors and then progressively moves to darker colors. Layering is preferably used for a painting that requires fine details and a fine surface finish.

Glazing is another popular technique that is easy to apply. It entails the addition of a transparent paint on top of an opaque one with the aim of modifying some aspects. Such may include texture, chroma and hue among others. It is possible to create the impression of a transparent glass using this technique. This done by using a pure transparent color against a background of dark contrast so as to create an impression of density.

Color intensification is something that can be done for most oil paints. This process entails diluting different colors so as to have many shades of the same color. The lightest shades are usually reserved for the background while the denser shades are used for the foreground.

Color blocking is a technique that is used to emphasize the outline of objects appearing on a work of art. In an oil painting, it can be achieved using diluted brush strokes. This will ensure that the desired effect is achieved without adding too much paint to the object. It is generally recommended that one uses a color similar to that used for the object.

Chiaroscuro is a unique technique that has been used for a long type in this type of art. Its major role is to bring out the volume of objects. It is achieved by demonstrating the direction of light movement. Dark and light contrasting is applied to the objects depending on the source of the light. A neutral color should be chosen for the background and shadows painted in a completely black paint.

Monochromatic painting is a technique that is employed in many forms of art and may be employed in this type as well. It entails the use of a single color except in a few cases where white paints may be included. Dilutions are usually done to have a wider variety of shades. The role of the white color when used is to add volume and emphasize the lighter shades.

Different brush strokes can be adopted to bring out different effects. While long strokes are preferred when painting the background, shorter strokes are mainly used for the foreground. Non-representational strokes may be used to enhance the color of objects within the painting. Dots of varying sizes are also used to create various impressions.




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