Think Color

When you see all the beautiful colors in oil paints you will tempted to purchase one of each kind.  Colors establish a mood, are believed to be more enticing to see, and more effective. It has been my experience that people believe the more color in artwork the better you are.  Michelangelo was a great color theorist.  He explored in depth a diverse approach to color.  He was well aware of the balance needed when creating some of his master pieces. When he painted his figures he made us believe that the figures could possibly come alive and start to speak to us.

There is no exact way in painting with colors.  No two artist approach it the same.  My philosophy is to only allow yourself to start with no more then 3 to five colors.  I encourage you to work with the three primary colors, RED - BLUE - YELLOW!  This will allow for a full pallet. You will be able to create the Secondary colors from the primary colors, GREEN, ORANGE, and PURPLE! White and Black are a given.  

Some suggestions......

* Less is more.  The more color you have in a painting the more confusing it can be to visually interpret the oil painting!

* Select colors that are appropriate to the subject matter!

Black and White are a given!

* Yellow will always brighten up an area in your painting while White will always dull out an area!

* Start with a painters chart for practice so you can learn about the diversity in painting. An example of a painters chart will be given at a future date.

*When beginning painting do not hesitate in being experimental.  Artwork is learned through trial and error. The beauty of painting is you can always go back to your painting to add additional paint.  This is the biggest advantage with oils.

* Use complimentary values when painting various hues.

This happens to be a recent still life I created with watercolors on paper.  Note there are only four colors in the painting, yet it appears to use a full color pallet.  

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What to Paint and Why?

Painters - Artist have been painting since the beginning of Man Kind. You would think that since man kind is only 5000 years old that we have painted it all. This is not true!  There is much room for discovery and everyday new and inventing ways of painting are being discovered.  I thought the abstract painter, Raushenburg, may have summed it up best when he for sees us depicting our own history in Art.  In a sense, painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and all other forms of art from music to ballet give us an insight not only of what the artist is trying to say but in different approaches of how it is best said. 

It is only my opinion, that the stronger work tends to come from ones personal experiences.  It is the individual experiences in life that offer a different insight to each painting. So it is recommended for you to begin keeping a journal or sketchbook of your experiences.  A small one to be carried around with you in your travels for the day.  Jot down a memory, fast note, cut out articles, fill it up with poems, and phrases you may like. Carry a pencil with you at all times. Sometimes a scribble can turn into a remarkable painting to be used for future reference.

The more you add to your journal the more ideas you will have in creating. Simple ideas can prove to be very powerful in a painting. A simple drawing of a tea cup while having your afternoon tea, fresh fruit in a bowl, a window sill, a chair or pair of shoes.  

When preparing to paint refer to your sketchbook.  If time is short and you are unable to capture the moment in your sketchbook then there is always your smart phone, or digital camera to document the moment for you. 

Ask yourself these questions:

1st - think about what is off interest to you?

2nd - what is important to you?

3rd - How are you going to approach painting?

Another words, concept, aesthetic value, and technique. All three elements are important and all are necessary in creating a painting.  Not one is lesser then the other.

For beginners I recommended simple geometrical shapes.  You may find these in a still-life of fruits and vegetables. 

For more advanced you might want to tackle a portrait of a friend or family member. 

Do not hesitate to take on more then you can do. It is better to strive for harder and more difficult elements in you paints. You are almost ready to begin.  

Learning how to work with Oil Paints

 

 There are so many ways to approach oil painting.  Oil paints are the longest drying medium compared too water-colors, or acrylic.  Make sure you have the correct brushes, work only from containers that do not dissolve with Turpin solutions.  I recommend selecting a painting medium that will dry your oil paints faster and intensify the oil colors, use linseed oil which will allow your paints the right consistency  plus a  varnish for intensifying the value of colors.

The rule is part of painting medium, one part linseed oil, one part  varnish. 

Turpentine always thins out the paints.  Depending on the thickness of your paints depends on how much turpentine you require.

When attending art school the painting instructors were as different as day and night. There is no correct way to approach oil painting understand this may not be much assistance to you when you are starting. However, painting is trial and error.  The more you paint the more you learn to understand how the paint can or can not be controlled. Oil paints are the slowest drying medium compared too water-colors, or acrylic.  Because of this you will need a painting medium.  They range in prices.  If you are beginner then you may prefer the brand name Gumbacher.  If you are a more advanced painter then you may like Windsor Newton Brand.  There can be a huge difference in cost.  The more you pay the better quality you will have in the product.

The second medium you need is a Varnish.  Oil paints dry dull.  The varnish will intensify the value and give you the ability to overlap the colors. 

The third item suggested is linseed oil.  Linseed oil will allow your paints to give you a smother constancy.

You will need turpentine.  Turpentine requires a well ventilated room and will give a strong and distinct odor.  Usually I use turpinoid.  Turpinoid is less pungent in odor.  However, the cost is slightly higher.  There are other solvents that can substitute oil paints but your best choice will be in turpinoid.  

Be prepared to have several containers to wash you brushes.  I keep one with clean turpentine, one to use for light to white colors, and one to use for mixing darker colors.  You want to poor at least a 5 fluid ounces turpentine into each can.  You need to use containers that will not be eaten away from the turpentine.

Brushes come in an assortment of sizes and shapes.  The smaller the number the smaller the brush.  The detailed brushes numbers go as low as triple zero.  While the larger brushes can even be the size of your house paints.  The more brushes you have the more possibilities of textures you can create. It can be overwhelming.  Look for brushes that state good to use for Oil Painting.  Because of the turpentine you will find your paint brushes will need to be frequently replaced.  Many of the Art store carry paint brushes in sets.  If it is your first time painting it is highly recommended you purchase a beginners set. 

Disposable pallets are easy for clean up. 

Wear old clothes, consider a smock top, and be prepared to slop up your space. 
Accessories like pallet knifes, tooth brush, foam or sponge brush will allow for different textures.

Look for the notes on selecting your canvas.........  Get ready it is almost time to have fun and start your first oil painting.

HAVE FUN........

Eckley Mining Village, Coal Patch Days

Coal Patch Days, Eckley Miners Village, Eckley, PA, reanacts coalminers life style. During this annual event I was reminded of the life style coal miners lived during the 20Th Century.  When you experience this you see an understanding of how fortunate we are to have a better quality of life in the 20TH Century. The anthrucite coal mining region had laid a great inpact on the economy hear in North Eastern, PA. Beautiul hand spoon craftsmanship, homeade food, and the gift of kindness was spread through out the village.  People opened up there homes and were proud to display thier goods and collectables of Antiques. Worthy to see. 

Personal opion is the understanding of our roots in history helps us understand who we have become toady.  It gives us conviction and a foundation for our beliefs and we will be better off for it all.

Eckley Miners Village

For Fathers Day our family spent the day at Eckley Miners Village, Coal Patch Days, Eckley, PA. A rare look into the 19TH Century.  While we were there a women invited us into her home to show off her collection of Victorian clothing and lace.  She took such pride and enthusiasm in the collection. It was perfect example of how many products were handmade in the USA.  She had so many examples of the lost art of tatting lace.  Even thou her home was small it was filled with beautiful Victorian hats, change purses, hat pins and clothing of the period.  It gave us a better understanding of what life must have been like in during the Victorian age. Amazing experience!