Before starting the creative process of oil painting, you should first become familiar with the materials and tools that are used.
PAINTING SUPPORTS Canvas, linen and wood are common painting supports. Both canvas and linen come in a variety of textures and weaves. Linen is preferred by most professional artists for its quality and durability. Cotton canvas is cheaper and therefore, better for a beginning artist. But some artists prefer the “feel” and texture of canvas. Wood boards are used by some artists for the studio and for plein air. When painting outdoors panels are preferred so that the light does not go through the surface. Some artists adhere canvas or linen to the wood panels, others paint on the wood itself. Whichever painting support that you use, it must be properly prepared so that the paint will adhere to the surface. Some supports come already prepared with gesso others you will have to apply it. In general, the finer the detail of the painting, the smoother the texture of the support will be.
BRUSHES Good brushes are the most important tools you will use in oil painting. A good brush will retain its shape after loading it with paint and spring back to its original shape after each stroke. It is paramount that you clean your brushes after each session of painting. Oil painting brushes come in two types, hard and soft. Hard brushes are usually hog hair bristle and soft are sable, synthetic or blends of both. The bristle brushes are used for larger amounts of paint and leaving brush strokes. The soft brushes are used for thinner paint and detail. Brushes come in various shapes which include flats, brights, fans, rounds and filberts, each having their own function. Oil painting brushes have long handles which are designed so that the artist can stand back from the canvas while painting.
PALETTE The palette can simply be any non-porous, hard surface such as wood (that has been oiled), metal, a ceramic plate, glass or plexi glass.
PALETTE AND PAINTING KNIVES Palette knives made of plastic or metal are used to mix paint, while painting knives are used for painting. Palette knives are longer and straighter with very little spring to them. Painting knives, which are springy and generally triangular, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each creating different effects. The longer the blade, the longer the stroke of paint is. The shorter blade makes short, angular strokes.
PAINTS Oil paints, as with other paints is comprised of both pigment and a vehicle to move the pigment. The vehicle being oil, which is usually linseed oil. As a rule, oil paints dry slowly, each at a slightly different rate. Artist grade oil paints have a higher concentration of pigment versus oil compared to student grade paints. Artist grade oil paints allow you to use less paint with more satisfactory results. It is better to invest in a few tubes of oils for a basic palette of colors rather than several colors.
THINNER Turpentine which has a strong odor can be used to clean brushes and the palette and to thin paint. An alternative is mineral spirits which has less odor.
MEDIUMS Any oil paint can be used straight out of the tube, but mediums can be added to modify the paint for different effects. To increase the flow of the paint for detail work you can use the following mediums: linseed oil, oil vehicles, and liquin. Some mediums will decrease the flow of paint creating impasto or brush marks. The drying times of oils can be decreased by adding liquin or linseed oil.
These are just the basics to get you started in oil painting. There are many different brands and products for you to choose from, each having their own advantages, disadvantages and unique characteristics. So, time to start gathering your materials and start on your creative journey.