Prepare before you begin working with oil paint.
The process of completing an oil painting is extensive. You must make the paint, select the canvas and materials, decide upon the different color harmonies and then finally sell or display the finished piece. Approach painting in logical steps. The oil used in the paint will hold together the color pigments. The consistency, brushes, knives and canvases will all have an impact on your result. Proper preparation will ensure that the final product is all that you want it to be.
Instructions
Preparing the Canvas
1. Stretch the canvas on stretcher bars. These bars are found in art stores or can be made by hand with wood. Use a stapler and staples to staple the canvas onto the stretcher bars. Make sure that the canvas is taut. Work from the middle of the stretcher bars out to the corners. Use a right angle to ensure that the corners form a square or rectangle. To get the best stretch at corners, use stretcher corner keys. These are normally found near the bars in the store.
2. Prime the stretched canvas using Gesso or a similar priming material. You must use a special Gesso brush to apply the primer. Stir the Gesso well and pour some into a plastic cup. Add some water until you reach the desired consistency. Do not add more than 25 percent water to the Gesso. The primer dries very fast, so paint it on quickly.
3. Apply the first layer of Gesso from top to bottom along the length of the canvas. Use some force when applying the Gesso so it goes into the canvas. Allow the first coat to dry completely and then sand the dry coat with fine-grain sandpaper. Use a cloth to wipe away the sandpaper dust. Apply a second coat of Gesso using strokes that are perpendicular to the first coat; in this case, side to side across the width. Ensure that the canvas is covered completely. The last area that you must cover in Gesso is the strips that are stapled into the stretcher bars.
Preparing the Oil Paint
4. Squeeze oil paint onto your palatte. It is not necessary to have every single color, as oil paints are made to be mixed. Use the primary colors that will be used in your painting. Make sure your palette is clean and that the paint is organized on it.
5. Use a paint knife to mix the paint until you achieve your desired color. Be aware of how primary colors can interact to create different shades. Most painters will create a warmer shade variant and then a cooler shade variant.
6. Add a medium or solvent, depending on the type of paint effect you want. Some mediums can speed up drying or extend the drying process. Other mediums can cause the oil paint to be more like a paste or more fluid. The use of the medium is entirely up to the painter. Use a solvent to correct mistakes on the canvas and to clean the brush. Turpentine is traditionally used for oil painting, but a less toxic and smelly choice is citrus-based solvent.
