This blog is Part 2 in a series on Plein air landscape oil painting. To see Part 1, click here: Plein Air Landscape Painting in Oils. I call this phase of the painting the Setup. In this phase of the painting I am trying to establish the most important elements of the composition. I work […]
8 Oil Painting Techniques for the Inquiring Artist
July 11, 2012 by 6 Comments
Have you been wanting to bring something new and edgy into your oil painting techniques? Have you thought about trying new oil painting techniques or approaches to applying the paint? Here are some ideas that are sure to breathe new life into your oil painting techniques toolbox. 1. Wet into wet Wet into wet is […]
Mastering Glazing Techniques in Watercolor: Understanding Pigments
June 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Are you a watercolor artist looking to improve your technique? Would you like to better understand glazing techniques in watercolor? Are you looking to increase your understanding of pigments? Then you will certainly enjoy this guest blog by watercolor expert Dr. Don Rankin. He is author of Mastering Glazing Techniques in Watercolor Volume 1: How […]
9 Top Oil Paints Rated for the Serious Oil Painter
August 12, 2011 by 57 Comments
Are you a serious oil painter and would like the top oil paints rated? Have you ever found yourself in front of the rows and rows of oil paints unable to decide which ones were best suited for you? Are you confused by the many manufacturers of artist oil paints and their claims? 9 Top […]
3 Common Oil Painting Problems and How to Resolve Them
August 12, 2011 by 15 Comments
Have you ever had a problem in your oil painting such as cracking or dull finish? Have you found that your painting surface is under stress and have not found any solutions? Oil painting is a pretty forgiving medium, but there are things that can go wrong and ruin your artwork if you aren’t aware […]
Top 6 Ways to Create Texture in Oil Painting
August 11, 2011 by 2 Comments
Have you ever wanted to experiment and create texture in oil painting? If you want to create texture in oil painting, this can be a challenge as there as so many options from which to choose. Oil color, with its mediums, lends well to glazing techniques with a smooth varnished finish. However, there are a large […]
6 Color Schemes for the Serious Oil Painter
July 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
Have you ever started a painting and then hours into it found yourself muddling around with the colors unsure which direction to go? Have you ever wanted a simple way to think about your color compositions? Are you still unsure about how to design color into the total concept of your oil painting? Here are 6 color schemes […]
Understanding Opacity, Transparency and Permanence for the Serious Oil Painter
July 19, 2011 by 5 Comments
Have you ever read on the back of a tube of paint and seen the permanence rating and wondered what it was or how to use that information? Or have you ever wondered which colors make the best glazes? Do you know which colors are the most opaque and are best for foundation underpainting? These […]
4 Keys to Understanding Alkyds in Oil Painting
July 18, 2011 by 6 Comments
What are alkyds in oil painting and why would you want to consider using them? Have you seen alkyds at your local hobby shop or online art store and have wondered if you should give them a try? I tried alkyds and with good success, so I thought I would share my experience and tell […]
3 Color Palettes for the Serious Oil Painter
July 14, 2011 by 11 Comments
Are you an artist and need help selecting colors for your oil painting color palette? Are you confused by the many color selections made by various artist oil paint brands and their claims? This blog post will seek to clear up any confusion about color palette choices by reducing all the options down into 3 […]
