Oil paints

Jean Kelly · 09-29-2002, 02:33 AM

All the beautiful work on here has inspired me to start thinking of oils again. It's been thirty years, but hopefully is like riding a bike. I went to a used book store today and picked up some reference books. One, a North light book on artist materials and another old one on techniques and paint, including making your own (pastels too)! My question revolves around what kind, colors and mediums to start with . I've been reading posts and at this point am confused. Everyone has different ideas. What is a good way to start? My main concern is quality over quantity, and I'm not afraid to do my own mixing. Where do I start?

Chris Saper · 09-29-2002, 06:14 PM

Jean,

You might start here: http://forum.portraitartist.com/foru...?s=&forumid=31

Jean Kelly · 09-29-2002, 08:26 PM

Thank you Chris, I've read most of this over and I like COLOR so I'm going to start with a palette very much like yours. I don't think I'm a glaze person. What is alla prima?

Chris Saper · 09-29-2002, 08:44 PM

Alla prima (also sometimes called au premier coup) means painting in one session, wet-into-wet paint. Sometimes people call this "direct" painting. Mainly it is differentiated from glaze painting by the application of paint in the beginning, that is the way the piece will look at the end. Opaque paints are used through much of the work (light passages, especially) compared to the use of many layers of transparent color used in glaze painting.

I think it is a good idea to start out with a limited palette. Add colors only when and if you find them necessary. That is not to say, "Don't experiment"... you need to feel free to do this, too; I just think it's easier not to change all your variables at once.

Good luck!

Linda Ciallelo · 09-29-2002, 09:15 PM

After researching paint brands and colors for two years, I have arrived at Doaks paints in these colors, as my favorite choices for a limited pallet.

Sinopia(mars violet)
Terra Rosa
Raw Sienna
Lead Tin Yellow(Naples yellow)
Blue Ochre
Turkey umber
Burnt Umber
Unbleached Titanium
Williamsburg Titanium -Zinc
Williamsburg Flake White

Doaks paints are hand ground in walnut oil, and have to be ordered over the phone. In the near future we will be able to order Doaks paints on line on Rob Howard's website (Studio Products). These paints are a bit oily, but stay fresh on your palette for quite a while. Williamsburg has a great website and excellent paint, but I am attached to Doaks colors.

I don't glaze(yet), but find these colors most to my liking because they produce a muted real life color, similiar to the old masters.

Jean Kelly · 09-30-2002, 12:04 AM

Thanks again for the info on alla prima painting, Chris. I think that's what I did before. (teenage angst years) And don't worry about me not experimenting, I'm still a born rebel.

And Linda, I've never heard of Doaks paint. Are there color charts available?

To all,

Are color charts accurate, or do you just have to buy the paint and try them out to see. Luckily for me, my husband is very encouraging in my new passion. But we're certainly not rich. And he's footing all the bills right now so I want to start with the basics with the addition of "rich colors". But quality first, I don't believe in doing things halfway. Not this anyway!

Linda Ciallelo · 09-30-2002, 06:49 PM

Doaks are good, as are Williamsburg, Old Holland, Holbein, and many others. Here are the muted colors that I am using currently. The color on the top is straight out of the tube, and the color on the bottom is the same color mixed with white.

Mari DeRuntz · 09-30-2002, 09:51 PM

Hi, Linda.

I love your work and it looks like a beautiful limited palette you're using. I've heard reference to Doaks on another message board, but with internet research, I'm unable to come up with a source. Do you have a phone number? If this sounds too commercial, would you e-mail it to me?

I'm intrigued with their qualities (ground with walnut oil) and it sounds like they stay open longer than some of what I'm using.

Steven Sweeney · 09-30-2002, 11:19 PM

M. Graham & Co. makes a line of professional oil colors with a walnut oil vehicle, as well as walnut oil mediums. The paint is beautiful buttery stuff. Those enquiring here about color charts will find one at the Graham site, under "Oil Colors".

A cautionary note -- the paints come in tubes with unusually wide mouths. You have to pay attention or with just the typical squeeze you wind up with a tablespoon of butter on your palette. For those of us who have the fault of using too little paint, this is perhaps not an altogether bad thing.

Jean Kelly · 10-01-2002, 12:01 AM

Thanks to everyone for all the information. I've already learned so much from just the small amount of research I've done on this. With all your guidance I'm sure I won't waste too much money on this new venture. Things were much easier 30 years ago when I just got a list, and went to the UW bookstore and showed up with what the professor wanted. I still have 2 brushes from my long distant oil painting years.

Sincere thanks for the help. (Smiling)