Foreign artist and a good teacher art school Johannes Vloothuis teaches thousands of students how to paint in oils (among other painting techniques). Johannes gave us 10 best advice for artists oil painting. I think you will agree that every artist should know these basic painting techniques.
1. Use white underpainting or quick-drying white.
One common problem that plagues oil painters is that when you add a layer of paint on top of another, they tend to blend together. For example, it is difficult to add snow on mountain tops when the first coat of paint has not yet dried.
When an artist gets into a rage and faces such a problem, he gets upset and puts the painting aside, and returns to work after a few days. There are special new whites that can solve this problem, unlike standard titanium whites. They are called quick-drying white or white underpainting.
2. Fine lines with oil.

Most, if not all, oil painters get frustrated when they try to paint fine lines oil paint, especially on paint that has not yet dried. Even signing a painting is not so easy if the signature is small. Here are some ways to achieve this without waiting for the oil to dry out:

• Use a plastic card instead of a spatula
• Use acrylic paint over dry oils
• Another innovative way is to use pastels. It usually doesn't dry, but you can seal it with a coat of varnish.

3. Underpainting on canvas.

If you visit an art gallery and look at oil paintings up close, you will see that there are voids in the brush strokes in the painting with the color of burnt sienna - this is underpainting. It provides the following benefits:

• It is more difficult to evaluate and select a color on a white background
• In plein air in sunny weather, a white canvas will be too bright. You can, of course, wear glasses, but there will be obvious problems with choosing the color
• It is almost impossible to paint an entire white canvas in a quick, spontaneous plein air and you will be left with white gaps between the strokes.
• Oil paint is not 100 percent opaque, so there will be gaps in the underpainting between strokes. important role in the perception of the picture. If you are painting a picture with warm colors, such as autumn, then it is better to make the underpainting in a cool color

In the image below you can see that a warm underpainting was used, then we added shadow, sky and foliage colours.

Underpainting of Johannes Canyon Vista

Completed landscape of Canyon Vista, Johannes Vloothuis
4. Apply oil in a thick layer

One big advantage of acrylic and oil paints is the ability to apply thick, thick layers that can convey a three-dimensional appearance. Other paints such as watercolors and pastels do not have this quality. My advice is to start with a thick layer of oil paint and work your way down to a thin layer. Add drops of paint only for small details - tree trunks, stones, flowers, leaves.
In the picture below you can see that the flowers and leaves are applied in a thick layer and therefore create a foreground effect.

Carmel Mission Johannes Vloothuis
5. Dry brush to create texture

To paint heaps of leaves, a lawn, foam in the crash of waves and waterfalls, use the “Dry Brush” technique. Dry brushing is a term used to describe the technique of applying paint by "stroking" small amounts of paint. The dry brush technique can be used to make wood look scuffed, paint lots of small leaves, paint foam near water, and add weeds to grass.
For a more visual representation, in the video below you will see how to draw a tree using the dry brush technique.

6. Drawing on already dry canvas

Alla Prima or wet on wet is a popular painting technique in oil painting. However, the time and size of the painting may not allow you to complete work of art in one sitting. Working on dry painting does not give the desired blending effect. This can be a problem when doing reflections on water that require blending.
To work on dry painting, I recommend first adding a thin layer of Liquin oil paint thinner. New paint will dissolve, but will not merge with the previous layer. This way you can soften the edges of the image!
7. Invest in professional quality paints and save on canvas.

Canvas is expensive and mostly an afterthought, however, many professional artists choose to use this high quality canvas in their paintings.
I will admit that there is some benefit when it comes to dry brushing on canvas in that it frames the painting beautifully, but I don't think the benefit is worth the high cost.
available in our online store.
You can prepare your paintings by simply applying super-heavy Liquitex gesso with a paint roller to the wood panel. This will leave random raised little bumps, simulating linen fabric. Use masonite or birch for the panel. And, instead of spending money on canvas, spend money on professional paints, from which you will reap the benefits.
8. Use different colors to create more interest in the painting.

Solid monochrome colors are boring, so top artists exaggerate and add multiple variations of similar shades in one area. Try this: Partially mix the colors on your palette until you've evened out the saturation (about 50 percent blended). Use more force when squeezing out the paint. You must be able to see the subtle color variations in every stroke. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, your paintings will look more alive.
You can also use a colorful mixture to paint foliage, grass and rocks. You'll learn more in the short art video below, which shows you how to paint different types of greenery with realistic foliage.

Also watch the video to learn how to mix colors and what strokes you can use to paint thick spruce trees.

9. Draw fog for atmospheric depth

I think the fog is completely blown away landscape painting. Scenes where fog is beautifully painted can add deep atmosphere to your painting.
IN art gallery I saw it once beautiful picture Upper Yellowstone Falls with a lot of fog, where falling down it reached the bottom. However, I could see through the fog and it looked very realistic. This was achieved through the use of white zinc, which has a characteristic translucency. You can also use it to add haze to distant mountains and other areas where fog can add atmosphere.

10. Use your fingers

There is an unfounded fear of using oil paint, especially if it comes into contact with skin. Please note that leading manufacturers list toxicity levels on their paint tubes.
I love mixing oil paints and want smooth strokes. With your fingers you can feel and apply the right pressure on the canvas, applying good strokes. You can't do that with a brush.
Well, buy high-quality spatulas and brushes in our online store in the appropriate section  and section

For a child, drawing with paints is one of the favorites. creative fun! And every baby tries to “create” with the help of bright colors from 10-12 months. But how to choose the right paints so that painting brings only joy?

Why do children need paints?

set: it’s good if the paint set includes a couple of brushes and a sippy cup for water where you can blot the brush;

manufacturer: try, in addition to the previously purchased set, to buy paints from the same manufacturer so that they match perfectly.

And finally, a couple of tips on choosing a brush if you buy it separately. There is nothing complicated here; you just need to evaluate just a few parameters. So, a wooden handle is better: it is more pleasant and harmless to the child’s body than a plastic one. But the hair bundle can be either natural or synthetic. It is more important that it holds securely, and that the hairs do not fall out and lie flat when you wet the brush (in good store They will easily give you a glass of water and a sheet of paper to make sure of its quality). And don’t forget about the base - the cage in which the fibers are secured. It should be strong, not loose and with an invisible seam. By the way, for drying the brush should be stored exclusively with the tuft up - this way it will preserve its properties longer.

Tell us, has your child already mastered and loved drawing with paints - and if so, what kind?

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Each artist has his own unique technique that allows him to create real works of art. However, in order to transfer all your thoughts and creative ideas on paper, you need to select the right colors. After all, the point here is not only in the harmonious combination of colors. It's important to find paint products that will preserve your work for years to come.

Some artists prefer to create enough bright pictures. They have a whole palette of colors and shades. Others like textured designs in which every stroke is drawn. There are also contemporary artists, working with contours. To draw silhouettes of people or create entire landscapes on paper, you need to use various types colors depending on what you want to depict.

There are different types of paints for drawing and painting. They differ from each other:

• by composition,
• purpose,
• additional functionality that is inherent in paint and varnish material of this category.

Sometimes to find suitable paint, artists are experimenting with various types these paints and varnishes. This is the only way to understand how the paint lays on the paper and how long it will take for it to harden.

You can find the paint that suits you right away or decide which paint material you need using various materials and dyes. Here everything depends only on you and your desire to find the most suitable paint and varnish material for creative work.

There is a great variety various colors for drawing. Depending on the material used and the composition of the paint, artists purchase from specialized stores everything they need to complete all subsequent creative work.

As a result, the choice of paint is up to you. Let's look at the most common types of paints and varnishes that artists often use to create their masterpieces.

All beginning artists choose gouache for their creative works.

This paint has excellent functional characteristics:

• dissolves in water,
• acquires a velvety effect,
• has a good color palette.

However, after it dries on the surface of the material, you can notice a slight pallor of the paint. Gouache turns pale due to the fact that it contains white.

But this is only a small drawback that can be hidden with the help of other auxiliary paints and varnishes. For example, on finished work sometimes varnish is applied. It gives the work a shine effect, and the gouache colors look new in the painting.

On the one hand, this is the most simple paint for drawing, which is the first choice of conversation artists. On the other hand, working with gouache is very difficult. After all, in order to achieve the desired color you will have to experiment with shades. It is also somewhat difficult to achieve an even tone. Therefore, before applying paint to the work surface, artists prefer to use small rough drafts, allowing them to create the desired shades of colors.

But over time, when you learn to work with gouache, you will discover all the advantages of this paint. First of all, all the mistakes you make while working can be corrected fairly quickly. To do this, you just need to apply a new layer of paint, which will differ from the previous one in its thickness. This will hide all the shortcomings you made while performing all the work with gouache.

Remember not to apply gouache in too thick a layer. After all, after it dries, some elements of the design may crumble. The paint itself does not have a strong structure; if you work with it incorrectly, all defects and your mistakes will be visible after finishing applying the paint.

Try to slowly complete all the creative ideas you have in mind. This will avoid large quantity mistakes that even professional artists can make when they neglect the rules when using gouache in their works.

Surprisingly, it is with this paint that they begin their creative path children. However, with the help of the same gouache, great artists create real works of art that captivate with their beauty and uniqueness.

Using gouache they were created greatest works art of such famous artists as Picasso and Rubens. Still think that gouache is just children's paint? It's time to take a different look at this unique paint material.

Watercolor

Watercolor can be bright or pale, depending on the color you choose. It, like gouache, can dissolve in water, but unlike the previous paint it has special functionality.

The first layers of this dye give the paper a certain color. But the peculiarity of watercolor lies in the subsequent layers. After all, after applying and drying on paper, the paint gives it a shiny effect, without coloring the already applied words in a certain color. In fact, in this case, watercolor appears on the working surface as a transparent emulsion.

Artists love watercolor precisely because of its properties. Transparency allows you to:

• give the paintings a special flavor,
• highlight some details of the landscape,
• emphasize the most significant moments in creative work.

In order to convey the full range of his emotions and feelings, the artist has only paint and paper on which he can depict a future work of art. Sometimes the work lacks a certain shade for expressiveness or completeness. In some cases, paint applied in several layers can create the desired effect. But you need to know about these features of watercolor paints.

These paints and varnishes are ideal for depicting landscapes. Using watercolors, artists often paint the changing sky, playing with different colors.

In some cases, it is watercolor that helps create portraits that can amaze with their mystery and unusual realism.

Any work done in watercolor will look perfect only if you avoid mistakes. Before completing all the paint application work, practice first on rough drawings.

Even professional artists use small sheets of paper to check:

• how the paint will lay down,
• is given color perfect,
• Is it worth applying watercolors this way?

Only after the paint has dried can you determine whether you have done all the work perfectly or whether there are any shortcomings. When working with this paint and varnish material, you can use various paint application techniques.

It's always nice to try something new and unusual. See how a certain combination of colors can give a completely different idea of ​​the same creative work. Surprisingly, two artists will paint the same flower differently. After all, everyone will use different colors and shades in their work, a certain technique that allows them to depict an object of interest to the artist on paper.

Perhaps watercolor is the best paint for artists. If you don’t know how to work with it yet, it’s time to learn how to handle this paint and varnish material.

Video. Drawing with watercolors.

Magical shades of pastel

What kind of paint is suitable for painters, because it is not paint that is used to apply it. The paint and varnish material itself is available in the form of convenient pencils or small crayons, which are very easy to use to draw on the work surface. This is the special appeal of pastels, because painting with them is quite exciting. The very fact that you don’t need to use a brush to work with pastel makes it a unique paint.

There is no need to mix colors or dip the brush to get the right paint consistency. In fact, such a pencil becomes an extension of the hand, allowing the artist to create unique paintings using only paint and paper.

Despite the special composition of paints and varnishes, pastels are quite easy to work with.

On the other hand, pastels are very easy to work with. Simply mix shades and get the colors you want right on paper. You can use a special shading or simply rub the paint on the paper with your fingers. Everything here depends on your desire and ability to do creative work professional and correct.

If you make small mistakes and mistakes when working with paint, you can simply hide them by covering one layer with paint of a different color or the same shade, creating a brighter and more saturated color.

Levitan is the most a prominent representative artists who professionally worked with pastels. His paintings are distinguished by an unusual play of color and various shades, which combined to create pictures of incredible beauty. Perhaps this particular paint will be the most suitable material for your creativity.

Do artists need tempera?

One of the most ancient paints used by artists is tempera. This paint is simply not capable of changing tone over time and has good brightness. Tempera dries quickly, so it is especially valued among professional artists, for whom time plays a very important role.

Working with this paint and varnish material is very interesting, because tempera is a paint that is quite durable in its functionality.

Professional artists can use tempera to work in various techniques. Therefore, if desired, you can create the effect of watercolor or gouache.

Thanks to the use of such a unique color, you can create amazing paintings, which will combine the effects of different colors. It all depends on the artist’s original intention and his capabilities. Thus, you can work with one paint, but it will seem that the picture combines several paints and varnishes, identical in composition.

Besides all kinds of paints that an artist uses for his work, the most effective and important auxiliary is a simple pencil. Without it, it is impossible to draw contours and sketches of the future of the picture.

The choice of paints depends on many factors. First, the artist decides what kind of work will be depicted on the canvas. Only after this the selection of appropriate paint and varnish materials occurs. Professional artists can paint pictures using only one paint or use several coloring substances that are harmoniously combined with each other.

materials on the topic

Probably everyone can remember similar case, that during the renovation period, more than once, due to his own carelessness, he forgot to close the can of paint, from which the material, to great disappointment, froze and was no longer suitable for use. Below are examples of possible paint solvents that will help you save thickened paint, or simply dilute new paint.

The issue of removing oil paint is of great relevance today, since this kind of problem occurs in almost every case of cosmetic repairs. An activity like removing paint can either become a matter of ten minutes for you, or it can appear to you rather in the form of a curse, taking away hours of your precious time, effort, and often money. Removing oil paint from walls is the most labor-intensive process, especially in cases where the paint is applied over plaster or concrete. However, if you still decide on a new paint job, then the simplest, and therefore popular, methods for removing oil paint from surfaces will be given and discussed below.

Watercolor refers to a painting technique that uses special water paints. As a result, a unique creation is created on the canvas, which has lightness, airiness, and subtle color transitions.

Modern artists, both professionals in their field and simply creative painting enthusiasts, have a huge selection of paints, which you can buy literally at every step. The legendary Da Vinci and Aivazovsky would envy the opportunities modern people. The variety of colors gives rise to another problem, the problem of choosing a material for painting. Let’s try to figure out what kind of paints exist on the art materials market, and what are their main differences.

Pastel.

This type of paint is applied to the canvas not with a brush, but with crayons and pencils made of a special material. It is convenient for artists to work with pastels, since a small pencil becomes a true extension of the creator’s hand. Paints are mixed directly on paper, and the artist can get almost any color shade known to mankind. For this, a special shading is used, or simply fingers, with which the paint is carefully rubbed onto the canvas, and unique colors are obtained. When working with pastels, an artist can easily correct mistakes and create truly unique color combinations. Among the most famous authors of paintings who worked with pastels, it is worth noting Serov, Degas, Levitan. You can buy pastels in any art store, for example, in one like this one: https://masterica.com.ua/grafika.html.

Watercolor.

A water-soluble type of paint that is known to everyone school lessons on drawing. Watercolor is a transparent paint, and the paper is visible through it, which distinguishes it from gouache, which is similar in its characteristics. Watercolors are very convenient for painting, and the paints themselves are famous for their ability to breathe life into paintings. Watercolor is very demanding on the artist’s skills and craftsmanship, and even the smallest mistakes will be impossible to correct. Exists huge amount techniques and tools for working with watercolors, and many novice artists enjoy working with this paint.

Tempera.

An ancient type of paint that is known for its durability and good preservation color range. A whole series The advantages of this material have made it the first choice for many artists - quick drying, water resistance, good combination with other materials for painting. Also, it is interesting in that experienced artist will be able to work with tempera in a wide variety of painting techniques. In its original form, tempera is suitable for creating a watercolor effect, which is possible due to the transparency of the color. But, often tempera is mixed with gouache, resulting in a paste-like paint that is convenient for working with voluminous strokes. Tempera was used by masters of the Renaissance.

Gouache.

A very bright paint that dissolves well in water and fades a little when dry. The process of painting with gouache requires considerable skill, but after the learning process, drawing gives considerable pleasure. The main mistake beginners make is applying too thick a layer of paint, which begins to crack and crumble. Therefore, you need to paint carefully and not make a large number of mistakes, which can only be corrected by applying a new layer of paint. Let's not forget the fact that such people loved to work with gouache famous artists like Picasso and Rubens. .

Pencil.

Many bypass classic pencil side when we're talking about about paints on the art market. But, most of the great artists made sketches with the help of a pencil, which makes it clear what the picture will look like upon completion, what tonality is better to choose!? Nowadays, many people draw portraits with a pencil, and the play of shadows and working with lead of varying softness gives the image unique images.

Acrylic.

One of the newest materials that has become widespread in all areas human life. Acrylic is also actively used in the painting process. This is a water-soluble paint with a quick drying process and long-lasting color brightness. It is interesting that acrylic is produced both in a liquid state and in a thick state, which affects the technique of working with this paint. With the help of thick acrylic, paintings acquire texture, and liquid paint is more similar in appearance to watercolor and gouache. An important advantage of working with acrylic is that you can paint on any surface - paper, wood, glass, ceramic tiles, fabric, cardboard and metal. Having learned to work with acrylic, artists have the opportunity to bring any of their ideas to life.

Sepia and sanguine.

Two types of unique natural materials that demand the artist’s skill. Sepia and sanguine are available in the form of small crayons in various shades brown. Working with this type of paint is at the same time understandable, but also demanding on the artist’s skills, as it requires competent shading, without which the drawing will look blurry. Often sanguine and sepia are combined together, and then the masters get an impressive effect, conveying the smallest details. These types of drawing materials in the best possible way Suitable for working on dot paintings depicting small details and objects.

Coal.

Counts the best material to create so-called “quick drawings”. According to professionals, it is drawings using charcoal that reveal the artist’s soul, his emotionality and attitude to his work. Working with coal will require a lot of skills, since the material is demanding in terms of its application technique.

Mascara.

Another material to work with black and white colors, allowing you to work with both a brush and a fine pen. Ink drawings look contrasting, and artists often resort to understatement when specially delicate spots are applied to the paper. Mascara is a difficult material for beginning artists, because any mistake is irreparable, and the application technique itself requires precise movements.

Oil.

Many people consider oil to be the main material for creating picturesque paintings, and this statement is absolutely true. Oil paints are ideal for those wanting to create a timeless masterpiece. artistic arts. Such paints are known for their longevity, and the designs depicted in the paintings literally come to life when you look at them. Oil is the most “living” version of paints. To work with oil, the surface of the canvas must first be primed, and the artist must thoroughly master at least one drawing technique oil paints. As the artists themselves say: “Painting in oils is an incomparable pleasure for a true master!”

Each person is individual, especially if he is engaged in creative work, for example, drawing. One loves brightness and saturation, another loves tenderness and softness, and the third likes graphics. Many artists choose “their path” from the very beginning and follow it throughout their lives, without trying themselves in other directions and types, but there are also those who are no strangers to experimentation and diversity. It is known that an artist works with a brush and paints, but it’s about the second tool - we’ll talk about paints in this article. Paints for painting come in a variety of types and purposes.

Watercolor. Watercolor paints belong to the group of adhesive paints. They are finely ground pigments that are mixed with special binders (based on vegetable glue). By the way, in high-grade paints the binder is gum arabic, and in low-grade watercolors it is dextrin. In order for the paints to be soft, honey or glycerin is added to them (everyone knows “Honey watercolor”, which we so often tried to taste in childhood).

Watercolor paints are transparent and contain no impurities (for example, white). Watercolors are available in several forms:

Liquid paints in tubes

Soft colors in cuvettes

Solid paints in tiles

Each type of watercolor paint has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, liquid paints are practical to store; they are easily diluted with water, but they are prone to delamination. The remaining types, on the contrary, do not separate, but are poorly soluble in water and become contaminated during storage. Remember that the good ones watercolor paints lie flat on the paper without clumps, lumps or stains. After drying, the paints should not rub off or crack.

Many artists love watercolors because the pictures painted with these paints are light, gentle, as if illuminated by some special light. The watercolor sky, water, sunrises and sunsets look especially picturesque. At the same time, you can also paint still lifes using watercolors - they will turn out soft and expressive.

Gouache. In another way, gouache is called poster paints. They are a paste-like mixture of pigments and emulsion (glycerin, phenol, alizarin oil, water). There are special requirements for gouache:

The paints should be easy to pick up with a brush and lay on the surface in an even layer;

There should be no cracks after drying;

In addition, after drying, high-quality gouache paints do not wear off or crumble, even if the painting is bent;

When stored, good gouache does not dry for long enough.

If the gouache paints have dried out, they can be diluted with ordinary water, but it is better, of course, to do this with a 3-5% solution of wood glue.

Working with gouache is both simple and difficult at the same time. It is easy to correct an error in a drawing - just apply another layer of paint, which will cover the previous one. The difficulty is that you need to be very careful about the process of mixing shades and the thickness of the paint layer. With all this, true masterpieces were created with gouache paints, for example, some of the works of Peter Paul Rubens and Pablo Picasso.

Oil paints. These are pigments ground in drying linseed, nut or safflower oil. Such paints are usually diluted with drying oil. The following types of oil paints are available:

- paste paints. Before use they must be diluted with drying oil;

Ready-made oil paints, which are already diluted in advance with either drying oil or turpentine. You can draw with them right away, you just need to mix them. Finished oil paints can be stored from one to three years. At the same time, they do not lose their qualities and do not dry out.

You can dilute paints yourself, but you should remember that, for example, turpentine or white spirit significantly reduces the characteristics of paints: viscosity, strength, gloss. The degree of thickness of oil paints directly depends on your goals and characteristics of the work.

Oil paints can be opaque and glaze. Covering paints (lead, zinc white, chromium oxide, cinnabar) tightly cover the surface, and glaze paints (kraplak, ultramarine) are almost transparent.

Most often, we associate painting with oil paints, because they are mainly used by artists starting from the 6th century. Realistic, lively, bright paintings are created with oil paints. You can paint with oil not only on standard canvas, but also on cardboard, wood, and paper. And how many different techniques and approaches open up when working with oil paints!

However, it is important to know that before working with oil paints, you must carefully prepare the surface: prime it. Painting in oils is a real pleasure.

Tempera. Tempera paints are ground on egg yolk or an adhesive solution is used. Since ancient times, tempera paints were very popular, but with the advent of oil paints, for some reason they were undeservedly forgotten. Initially, tempera was used only in folk painting, but later its use was expanded. Tempera paints are very durable.

When choosing a tempera, be guided by the following criteria:

Paints should be well diluted with water, and after drying, they should not wash out;

When dry, high-quality tempera paints do not change their color, do not crack or delaminate;

If tempera is stored in tubes, it should not rot or thicken.

Tempera paints combine well with other painting materials. In the right hands, these paints can perform different functions: transparent watercolor layers, thick layers like gouache, paste application like oil.

Acrylic paints. Acrylic is a synthetic paint that is very practical and easy to use. These paints are somewhat similar to tempera paints: they dry quickly and form a thin waterproof film. It is convenient to work with acrylic on any surface, be it wood, glass, leather, fabric or metal.

Gold acrylic is often used for furniture restoration - it can be used to refresh furniture well, giving it luxury and a special style.

Acrylic can be either matte or glossy. During the work process, acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but it is better, of course, to use a special liquid for this. To clean acrylic brushes, wash them with a specially designed emulsion.

Previously with acrylic paints Zhostovo masters worked and created their own unique masterpieces, now they increasingly use oil.

As you can see, there are a lot of paints for painting, they all have their own characteristics. Decide what you would like to try and select the appropriate type of paint accordingly! Good luck and inspiration!