Learn some of the most unique tips and tricks of oil painting in this read. Any artist has a unique set of tricks and tips based on their experience. They are learned through trials and errors. Some experiments don’t work while some do. However, with each painting session, an artist learns more and becomes just a little better than the previous day.
In this blog, I am going to share with you five random tips and tricks of oil painting that I have learned in my art journey!
Using an old brush to clean edges
Being a geometric abstract artist, my art often contains straight lines and edges in the main composition. One important thing in such a case is to make sure that the lines are straight. The edges should look neat. Even if I make straight lines while sketching on the canvas before painting, I might get the lines disturbed while painting.
To correct such a scenario, I have my secret tool in form of a broken paint brush. With broken I mean, it’s a brush with hardly any hairs. It’s a small flat brush which is now left with just a small wooden head with almost no hairs or hardened hairs. However, it is still so helpful to me. You ask why? Well, it is efficient in picking up the extra colour crossing any line/edge. I just need to pick this broken brush and gently spread the extra colour till it’s picked up or almost dissolved.
Use liquin to clean accidental spillage of one colour into another
No matter how cautious we are while painting, most of us have faced this scenario. We are painting one colour at one corner of the canvas and suddenly the colour is accidentally applied on some other portion of the canvas.
This situation could become even more tricky if the colour accidentally got applied on an area which was already nicely painted by you. Don’t panic as oil paints are very forgiving. You can still correct it. My method to deal with this situation is to use liquin(oil painting medium) to erase the extra colour. You can take a soft paint brush and apply liquid on it and gently remove unwanted colour from any corner of a painting. If the colour is stubborn, you can also take liquid on a clean cloth and rub the colour. Make sure that you do not damage the already painted area by rubbing too harshly. Liquin has been my saviour in many such scenarios and it worked every time.
Hold brush from behind to make a straight line
I was first taught this trick while I was learning to paint. However, every time I try it myself I am amazed at it. Just the positioning of our hands while holding a paint brush can make such a difference! If you want to make a straight line in your painting, just hold the brush little bit from its end rather than near its hairs. Making a straight line is so much easier this way. Geometric art often requires me to make straight lines/edges and this trick has been really helpful!
Make pointed edge of brush with a liquin if it’s worn away
This trick is not an alternative to using a brush in good condition. It is always best to use paint brushes in good condition. However, if you are in the middle of a painting session and you need a brush of certain size but it’s worn out, you can try this trick. Simply, apply a little liquin on the brush and gently rotate (or use your hands) to give the brush hairs their original shape. The shape can last for few brush strokes.
This trick is particularly useful for fine detailing brush if they have lost their pointed tip. The liquin can help you get that pointed tip till you actually purchase a new brush!
Use a palette knife to mix shades instead of a brush
Whenever I mixed two shades of oil paints on my colour palette, I used my paint brushes. I was aware of the wear and tear it caused to my brush but I didn’t know any better. However, one fine day I watched a video of a painter using palette knife to mix the colours. I instantly saw logic and sense in this method. Now I only use the palette knife to mix colours in my colour palette. Not only the colours mix well but the life of my paint brushes have also increased. Can I also add that it feels amazing to mix two colours using a paint knife!
Conclusion on tips and tricks of oil painting
Although the above mentioned tips and tricks might seem tiny but sometimes tiny secrets can create a big impact in the long run. Whenever you run into any of the situations mentioned above, try my tips and see the results for yourself!
P.S. Do you have any unique oil painting tip or trick to share? I am really interested to know it. Please mention in the comments section.
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