LESSON THREE

Basic Principles Of Oil Painting

Please Note: Each video in this course has its own unique password.

  • VIDEO PASSWORD: Basics

  • VIDEO LENGTH: 15:25 minutes

 
 

BASIC PRINCIPLES

I give you these with the caveat that ALL RULES CAN BE BROKEN. You will inevitably find artists who work in direct conflict with the following concepts. These principles are, however, traditional oil painting “rules” used by most beginning (and experienced) painters. Once you understand your materials, feel free to break the rules!

  1. Put a light wash of medium value color on your support. Acrylic paint must be dry and oil paint should preferably be dry before you begin.

  2. Work “Dark to Light.” Put your darker colors on first.

  3. Work “Thin to Thick.” Start with thinner paint layers, possibly thinned some with OMS if you are using it.

  4. Consider working “Back to Front.” Once your composition is in place and you have your dark shapes massed in, consider working the background up to the foreground as you paint, but not finishing any one area.

  5. “Dance Around the Painting,” keeping it developed in similar stages throughout your process. In other words, do not "finish" one section and then move to another. This is not contradictory to #4 above.

CLICK ON THE LOGO

FAT OVER LEAN

Many artists find this concept a bit confusing so don't be too concerned if you do too. Click on the WIKIPEDIA logo to visit the WIKIPEDIA page that will give you a good explanation. I personally believe the more important concepts to remember are the basic principles listed above. Working “Thin to Thick” will, for the most part, take care of working “Fat over Lean.”