oil painting techniques

aido179 · 15-01-2007 09:07PM #1

hi guys,
let me put it up to you.
im sitting here at my pc with a canvas behind me. now i have some stuff blocked in on it and im working on it in my head (ie. what where how) ive done one other finished painting and im really enjoying using the medium.
but im not getting the best results for what im capable of, now dont get me wrong here, the first one looks good but not great and thats what i want to ask.
what turns a 'good' painting into a 'great' painting? are there any techniques i should take into consideration from here on and on my next peices?
the way i paint is basically from common sense and from experience with other mediums. ive discovered how different oils can be. im now hopiong im not in over my head.

edit: omg, sorry if this is in the wrong section. i think i may have been in the wrong arts part
please move if appropriate

snickerpuss · 15-01-2007 11:58PM

Hey,
I can move this to arts and crafts if you'd like.
Karen

artieanna · 16-01-2007 01:16AM

To answer you're question is difficult as I don't know what kind of a finish you are looking for are you using brushes or pallette knives or both are you working impasto or in glazes..... Are you working from still life, landscape or abstract????? sooo many questions.....

So what I'll do is post a book that all artists should have as it contains a huge amount of information on paints, supports and techniques in all media.

The Artist's Handbook By Ray Smith ISBN 0-7513-6439-8

You should have no problem gettting the finish you want....

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 16-01-2007 10:04AM

The next step is composition. Try to work out where your focal point is, and what in your painting is moving the eye around it.

There's a VERY comprehensive online artcommunity here: http://www.wetcanvas.com

o1s1n · 19-01-2007 01:13AM

aido179 wrote:

hi guys,
let me put it up to you.
im sitting here at my pc with a canvas behind me. now i have some stuff blocked in on it and im working on it in my head (ie. what where how) ive done one other finished painting and im really enjoying using the medium.
but im not getting the best results for what im capable of, now dont get me wrong here, the first one looks good but not great and thats what i want to ask.
what turns a 'good' painting into a 'great' painting? are there any techniques i should take into consideration from here on and on my next peices?
the way i paint is basically from common sense and from experience with other mediums. ive discovered how different oils can be. im now hopiong im not in over my head.

edit: omg, sorry if this is in the wrong section. i think i may have been in the wrong arts part
please move if appropriate

Believe me, I know what you mean. I only really started using oils two years ago in college. And am still really just learning. So different to acrylics it's insane.

I've found the best thing to do is to start off with a pallette of dark colours worked out and blot as much in as you can. Then get lighter and lighter. The only problem I've found with this is drying times. Especially because I'm working to deadline in college. Bit of liquin helps speed up the process. There are loads and loads of different blending techniques and effects you can do. This all just comes with practice.

Basically all you can do it keep at it and find a process that works for you.

oil painting techniques

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