Oil Paint
Oil paint is a painting medium consisting of pigments dispersed in a drying oil as the binder.... View more
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Generic Questions
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Generic Questions
Dear PBP, I’m a new member on this forum and just like many of you, I’m trying to improve my practice and procedures not only to create beautiful works but to make it technically sound as well. I am still going through the great content available, however I have some questions I’d like some help with. I don’t know the members yet, but perhaps George O’Hanlon could share some insights.
The questions are pretty generic, but I thought of having them grouped all in one place under the category of Oil Paint.
1. Surface priming:
Can you apply Oil priming over Gesso primed surfaces?
2. Brush Care:
There are some who opt to never clean out their brushes (in the traditional methods) but rather let their brushes sit in oil (mixed with Clove oil). What are your thoughts on this practice? If you recommend it, which oils would you suggest to use? Also, how would one prepare the brushes once you get them out again? Do you simply wipe off the residue oil from the bristles?
3. Is there any specific pigment which you would NOT recommend using? A pigment(s) which has been very fugitive, regardless of the brand?
4. Sanding:
Some artist like to sand for various reasons, either as ‘pentimenti’ or for visual effects. If such thing is done, would you recommend to follow the steps you explained in the cleaning out of a painting? Or can one simply brush off the surface and resume with painting?
5. Re-Painting:
When repainting over an unvarnished painting, what would be the best practice to work anew? Should one sand the specific area? Would it be recommended to prime over the surface again?
6. Pre-Raphaelites Curiosity
There’s this story that the PRB used to paint over a wet white ground and apparently some of their works kept its brilliance. Would you suggest such practice?
Sorry for the log post, I am still going through most content available here, but these were questions I haven’t yet found an answer for. Thank you.
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5 Replies
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Hi Luca
I think I can answer a few of these.1. Yes, nothing wrong with oil priming over acrylic gesso. It would be very similar to applying oil paint over acryllic gesso. Also check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
2. I clean my brushes in oil (no clove), then soap and water. I would not add clove oil, since that would need to cleaned out of the brush before using it again. It does not take a lot of clove oil to significantly extend drying time of your paint. Plus I don’t like the smell. Pure oil would be ok, but I prefer clean, dry brushes when I need one. I would choose linseed oil, since that is the most common oil used in oil paint.
3. I will let someone else discuss this..
4. After sanding, remove the debris with a suitable lint-free cloth. There is also a recommendation regarding the type of sandpaper to use, but I don’t recall the details right now.
5. Painting over a dried (hard-dry) painting can be done after the surface has been cleaned of any dirt. You may sand or scrape the surface to remove ridges, but that is not required. Clean after. See also pt. 6 if the intent is to completely change the design. It is not considered best practice to prime on top of layers of paint. Then it is better to find a new surface.
6. Painting over a white ground is considered THE best practice since oil paint tend to become more transparent over time.
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Thank you for your insight, it is very helpful. With regards to cleaning the brushes, I also prefer having clean brushes ready, however since my visit to Rembrandt’s house, I saw he had a sort of box which the guide informed us that one could leave the brushes always wet… When you use oil to remove the paint, which type of oil would you recommend? Sunflower oil, or other regular oils will work fine since you’ll wash the brushes with soap afterwards?
Also, regarding point 6 on the PRB, when using an oil primer could one paint on top of the final coat while it is still wet?
Thank you once again for your time.
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Let’s answer these questions at the next Cohorts meeting. I will let yu know when we will schedule it.
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Thank you George, yes please, keep us posted. Where do you generally inform the members regarding the next cohort meeting?
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Dear George,
have you set the date for the next cohort meeting?
If so, could you kindly cover the following:
1. Can graphite drawing be painted on with oil paint or should there be a separating layer ? I know many illustrators use products such as matte medium to seal their drawing.
2. Since it is recommended to work with fat over lean, how would you recommend to thin the paint in the initial layers? Diluting oil paint with solvents is ok?
3. I am from Malta which is a tiny island in the Mediterranean with high humidity, what would be the best support for oil painting? Canvas mounted on panel/hardboards?
4. Some artists paint on unstretched canvases, and stretch the canvas once it’s finished. What are your thoughts on such practice? Would you recommend it?
5. Is PVA glue good enough to mount canvas to wood?`
Thanks a lot 🙂
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