vijay asked:

The process of oil painting differs from painter to painter, often but it includes certain customary steps. First, the artist prepares the surface. Although surfaces like linoleum, pressed wood, wooden panel, and cardboard have been used, the most popular surface and often used is canvas. While many painters have used panels for paintings (for instance Da Vince’s Mona Lisa) these can be susceptible for cracking and it is fairly small. Stretched canvas has no such problem.

Conventional artist’s canvas is made up of linen, but anyhow less expensive cotton fabric then gained popularity. First the artist prepares a wooden frame called a “stretcher” then the canvas is pulled across the wooden framed and stapled toughly to the back edge. The next step is to apply a ground to isolate the canvas from the acidic qualities of the paint. The canvas is normally coated with rabbit skin glue and prepared with subsequent layers of finely ground chalk.

Later the process was altered to sizing of rabbit skin glue with following layers of white priming. The artist may apply many required layers of gesso, sanding every smooth after it dries up. It is possible to tone the gesso to a particular color, but normally store-bought gesso is white. The gesso layer would tend to draw the oil painting into the porous surface, depending up on the thickness of the gesso layer.

Next the artist may sketch an outline of their subject before applying pigment to the surface. Pigment is normally mixed with oil, usually linseed oil but other oils might be used as well. The various oils dry differently, which create assorted effects. Handling and mixing the raw pigments and mediums was excessive to transportation.

The painter most often uses a brush to apply the paint. Brushes are normally prepared from different fibers to make different effects. Sizes of brushes even create different effects. “Bright” brushes are used to apply broad swaths of color. The artist may also use paint with palette knife that is flat, metal blade. A palette knife might be used to remove paint from the canvas when necessary. Painter may also use unusual tools, such as rags, sponges and cotton swabs. Some artists even paint with their fingers.

Most artists paint in layers, a method first introduced in the Egg tempera painting technique, and then adapted in Northern Europe for use with linseed oil paints. After this layer dries the artist would apply “glazes” to the painting, using a process of “Fat over Lean” that means more oil paint ratio than the previous layer. This method is known as “Alla Prima.” When the image is finished and dried, an artist will normally seal the work with a layer of varnish usually made from Damar gum crystals dissolved in turpentine. Contemporary artists increasingly defy varnishing their work, desire that the surfaces remain varnish-free indefinitely.

Task Lighting: It refers to the higher level of light offered specially at work areas such as kitchen islands, countertops and desks. Additional light could be redirected to these areas using recessed or pendant fixtures. Fixtures with either low or line-voltage halogen offer a whiter, warmer light. 5 watt xenon or halogen lamps spaced 6 inches apart are most suitable for task lighting purposes where the fixture is within 24 inches of the work surface. The transformer is as well included in many low voltage fixtures but it is sometimes separated depending on the particular fixture and style.

Accent Lighting: Accent lighting is approximately four times the level of ambient light in any area. Same again, Halogen lighting type fixtures offer a whiter, brighter look than standard incandescent or florescent type of fixtures. The chosen fixture needs to be directional on swivel type fixture to aim the light exactly where it is required. For further museum-type effect, some fixtures could include a focusing lens for pinpoint accuracy.

Wall Washing: It is again a type of Accent Lighting, which creates an area of uniform illumination, which might desirable for a series of photos or further artwork. Wall washing typically reduces the texture of wall surface. Often the reflected light could even create ambient light in the remainder of the room that appears pleasing and restful.

Wall Grazing: It is just opposite to Wall Washing, it creates a dramatic highlight and shadow effect on surfaces such as draperies, stone or brick. Ceiling light fixtures for Wall Grazing are placed near to wall in order to highlight the three-dimensional effect.

Lighting that is perceptively measured and organized could make a real difference and will bring an improvement that lasts for years together. Many home improvements Stores also have sample displays of different lighting systems and fixtures. As today there are huge variety of appliances and electronics, lighting fixtures available, be sure you purchase from reputable company. There are numerous online retailers, which offer name brand fixtures delivered to your door at very competitive prices.

Ralph Serpe asked:


An oil painting support is any surface that oil paint can be applied to. There are a variety of different surfaces that artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and even metals can serve as supports for oil paint. This article will introduce you to those various supports and hopefully help you decide which support is best for your style of oil painting.

LINEN

Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. The plants are harvested and then left to soak in water until the outside of the plant rots away leaving the fibers underneath. The fibers are then processed into yarns or threads which are then woven into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are long and quite strong and make for a very interesting and durable painting support. Paintings executed on this surface have withstood the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a favorite amongst professional oil painters. Unfortunately linen canvas is rather expensive and may not be the best option for beginners. If you are interested in learning more about linen canvas, check your local art store or go online and do a search. There are a variety of different linen canvases available, from rolled canvas to pre-stretched. It comes primed for acrylic and oils, or you can get it unprimed as well.

COTTON

Cotton canvas is the most popular support for beginner oil painters. It is a relatively strong material and much cheaper than linen. It has a very even and mechanical weave. There is a big debate going on in the art world over which is the better painting support, linen or canvas? What support will last longer? This is really a matter of personal opinion and taste. I know many artists, including myself, who use cotton canvas exclusively. Other artists swear by linen. If the surface is sized correctly, then your painting will be well protected from rot and will last a long time. So when deciding between linen or cotton, I feel your decision should be based on how you enjoy working with the material itself and not whether or not it will be around in three hundred years. If you are really concerned about the durability of cotton, then purchase a heavy grade cotton canvas and try stretching it yourself. Cotton canvas is available in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.

CANVAS PADS

For those artists who may be on a tight budget but still want a descent quality surface to paint on, then canvas pads are a good choice. Canvas pads come in a variety of different sizes and are great for beginners who are just starting out. Canvas pads are great for practice or doing studies. Make certain you get a heavy weight canvas pad suitable to hold oil paint.

MASONITE OR HARDBOARD

Masonite is another popular oil painting support for artists. Masonite is actually a trademarked name for a synthetic hardboard made from wood particles. Hardboard is inexpensive and rigid. If you plan to use large hardboards, it is recommended that you reinforce them with a frame, as they can bow or bend. You can purchase plain hardboards or other varieties like canvas boards, which are hardboards covered with a ready to paint canvas material.

WOOD PANELS

The earliest known oil paintings were created on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was covered with a uniform ground made of animal skin glue and chalk. The ground was then polished smooth to create a surface suitable for oil paint.

Pure hard wood panels are not the most popular ground for oil painters today. They are costly and rather difficult to lug around. A good alternative that oil painters use is plywood. There is good quality plywood available made of birch, poplar or mahogany that is suitable for oil paints if prepared correctly. Do not paint on soft woods such as pine because they contain more resins and do not resist moisture very well.

The above are the more popular oil painting supports in use today. There are others that artists use when they are feeling adventurous. Metals like copper and aluminum are sometimes used as a painting support. Obviously metals are quite heavy, so paintings on this type of support are usually on the smaller side. There are also other fabrics used in oil painting like jute, which is a strong natural fiber with a rough texture.

Your choice of oil painting support really depends on your style of painting. Experiment with the variety of painting supports available and have fun. You will eventually find one that works best for you.

vijay asked:

An oil painting support is nothing but basic surface that oil paint could be applied to. There are a variety of surface available that an artists use to paint on. Everything from some woods, canvas, and as well metals could serve as supports for oil paint. This article would introduce you to those various supports and hopefully assist you decide that support is brilliant for your style of oil painting or oil painting reproduction.

Linen

Linen is shaped from the good fibers of the flax plant. The plants are normally harvested and then left to soak up in the water in anticipation of the outside plant rots away parting the fibers underneath. The fibers are then further processed into yarns and threads that are then natural fiber into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are long and pretty hard and make for a very striking and long-lasting painting support.

Cotton

Cotton canvas is the mainly well-liked support for oil painter’s that are beginner. It is a comparatively strong material and much-cost effective than linen. It has an extremely even and automatic weave. If the surface were sized appropriately, then your painting would be well confined from rot and would last a long time. If you are in fact concerned about the hard of cotton, then but a heavy grade cotton canvas and attempt stretching it yourself. Cotton canvas is obtainable in rolls or pre-stretched, ready or unprimed.

Canvas pads

For those oil painters who might be on a small budget but yet desire a descent excellence surface to paint on, then canvas pads are most excellent choice. Canvas pads come in a range of different sizes and are huge for beginners that are simply starting out. Canvas pads are huge for practice or doing studies. Confirm you get a heavy weight canvas pad appropriate to hold oil paint.

Wood panels

The earliest known oil painting reproduction was created on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was coated with a consistent ground made of animal skin glue and chalk. The ground was then polished flat to make a surface apt for oil paint. Pure hard wood panels are not the most well liked ground for oil painters today. They are expensive and other than difficult to drag around. A good option that oil painter’s use is plywood.

Your choice of oil painting support actually depends on your fashion of painting. Experiment with the variety of painting supports obtainable and have fun. You would finally find one that works best for you.

vijay asked:


An oil painting support is any kind of surface to which oil paint could be applied to. There are huge varieties of different surfaces, which artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and as well metals could be used as a supports for oil painting. Following are the various types of oil painting supports that will help you decide the best for your style of oil painting.

Linen

Linen is generally created from the fibers of the flax plant. The fibers are then developed into yarns or threads that are then made into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are huge and moderately strong and make for an extremely attractive and hard-wearing oil painting support. Paintings carried out on this surface have endured the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a preferred amongst expert oil painters. There are assortments of different linen canvases accessible in the market, from rolled canvas to pre-stretch. It comes prepared for acrylic and oils, or you could get it unprimed as well.

Cotton

Cotton canvas is the most admired support for starter oil painters. It is a comparatively strong material and much reasonable than linen. It has an extremely even and perfunctory weave. If you are actually worried about the sturdiness of cotton, then purchase a profound grade cotton canvas and try widening it yourself. Cotton canvas is obtainable in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.

Canvas pads

For those artists who might be on a tight budget but yet desire a good quality surface for oil paintings, then canvas pads are a superior choice. Canvas pads come in a range of various sizes and are amazing for starters interested in oil painting reproduction. Canvas pads are grand for practice also or doing studies. Make sure you get a heavy weight canvas pad compatible to hold oil paint.

Wood panels

The first known oil paintings were shaped on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was actually covered with a consistent ground made of animal skin paste and chalk. The ground was then elegant smooth to generate a surface appropriate for oil paint.

Your choice of oil painting support actually relies up on your style of painting. Experiment with the different types of oil painting supports accessible in the market and have fun. You would ultimately find one that works best for you.