top of page
Writer's picturephilippeun

Composition



The composition of an oil paint includes several stages, from the preparation of materials to the final application. Here is a general procedure for composing a painting

oil:


  1. Preparation of the support:

    • Choose a suitable support such as canvas, wood panel or special paper for oil painting.

    • Prep the surface by applying a coat of primer, usually called gesso, to seal the surface and provide better adhesion to the paint.


  1. Color preparation:

  • Select the oil colors you want to use. You can buy them ready-made or mix them yourself.

Arrange colors on a palette using separate compartments or a mixing palette.


  1. Preparation of the medium:

    • Mediums are mixtures of oil and solvents that can be used to change the consistency and drying time of paint.

    • You can prepare a medium by mixing linseed oil with a solvent

like turpentine or petroleum spirit. The proportions depend on your personal preferences and the desired result.


  1. Composition of the paint:

    • On your palette, mix the colors with the medium to obtain the desired consistency and desired shades.

    • Use brushes appropriate for the painting technique you wish to apply (e.g. flat, round, fan brushes) to mix and apply the colors to your support.


  1. Application of paint:

    • Start with large shapes and basic areas, then gradually add details.

    • You can apply the paint in thin layers (glazing technique) or in thick layers (impasto technique), depending on the desired effect.

    • Let each coat dry before applying the next.



  1. Drying time and finishing:

    • Oil paints generally take a long time to dry completely, ranging from several days to several weeks or even months depending on the thickness of the layers applied.

    • Once the paint has dried, you can apply a protective varnish to improve the durability and appearance of the paint.


It is important to note that the composition of oil paint can vary depending on the artist's individual preferences, techniques used and desired effects. Feel free to experiment and adjust the procedure to suit your artistic needs.


7 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page