Oil paints consist of pigments bound in drying oil. These oils give the paint its characteristic depth and enable smooth processing. Artists use various brush techniques in oil painting to create unique effects that are often considered their personal signature. The great manipulability of oil paint opens up numerous creative possibilities, which are particularly advantageous for detailed work. Choosing the right technique not only influences the structure of the paint application, but also the effect of the entire work of art.
How are neighboring colors mixed?
To make brushstrokes invisible, you can blend the colors into one another by mixing or smoothing them. Take a clean, dry bristle brush and carefully brush over the color boundaries so that the colors blend gently. To maintain the desired effect, the brush should be cleaned regularly with a clean cloth. A major advantage of oil paint is its long drying time, which gives enough time to carefully design transitions before they are finally fixed.
Fine gradations through careful mixing
To create fine color gradations, you first mix the desired colors on the palette and then apply them strip by strip next to each other or one below the other. The transitions are then gently painted over with a dry brush so that a harmonious color gradient is created. Brush techniques in oil painting such as gentle smudging or the targeted overlaying of colors play a central role here.
How are contours softened?
The degree of color mixing has a significant influence on the effect of the image. For subtle transitions, you can gently brush over the color boundaries with a fine, round sable hair brush that is slightly moistened with turpentine oil. A soft hair brush creates even softer edges, while a bristle brush enables stronger blending. Depending on the technique, the contour can either be subtly blurred or have a strong texture.
How is painting done in the context of the image?
The targeted blending of oil colors ensures a softer, more realistic representation. Since oil paints dry slowly, this step can also be done at the end. A sable hair fan brush is particularly suitable for this. You hold this loosely in your hand and move it gently over the colors, as if you were removing dust. This creates soft color gradients that harmonize the effect of the picture.
What are impasto techniques?
With impasto, the paint is applied so thickly that the brushstrokes remain clearly visible and a striking texture is created. This method is one of the many brush techniques in oil painting that artists use to bring depth and expressiveness to their works.
Color mixing on the brush
There is a difference between mixing colors on the palette and mixing loosely directly on the brush. While the palette produces a uniform color, the colors retain some of their independence when mixed on the brush. This creates lively striped patterns that emphasize the brushstroke.
Wet-on-wet painting
When painting wet-on-wet, the paint is applied in thick, wet layers. To prevent the colors from looking muddy, the bristle brush should be well saturated with paint. The top layer of paint is applied at a shallow angle to the canvas so that the color underneath easily blends with the new layer and interesting color gradients are created.
How do you create a dabbing effect?
A dabbing effect can be created with a bristle brush and viscous oil paint. The brush is dipped in thick paint and applied to the canvas with gentle pressure. Alternatively, the paint can be applied directly to the canvas and lightly smudged with the brush.
What is pointillism?
In pointillism, many small dabs of pure colors are placed next to each other. This method requires only a few basic colors, as the desired color effect is achieved by optically mixing the dots. The viewer then perceives the colors as harmonious transitions.
What other types of brushstroke are there?
Brush strokes vary depending on the technique, direction of movement and pressure. A loose, sweeping stroke can convey dynamism, while precise, intertwined strokes are suitable for hatching. Short, strong strokes that are applied without further processing give the picture a direct, expressive effect.
How do you use the painting knife?
Painting knives are used to apply layers of color to wet oil paint without mixing the color underneath. This enables the targeted creation of structures and sharp edges. The tip of the flexible blade can be used to add small dots of color for lights, details or textures.