Do Paint Sticks Work Well?

Paint sticks can be used like chalk or pastels.

Paint sticks, also known as pigment or oil sticks, are oil paint in stick form. They are more practical than liquid oil paints, because they're ready to apply, don't release odors and dry more quickly. A combination of pigments with linseed oil and wax, these sticks can produce oil-paint-like effects and details. They work well for creating a new painting or enhancing one of your previous works of art. Paint sticks are easy to use at any skill level.

Things You'll Need

• Blank canvas or partial painting
• Turpentine
• Paintbrushes
• Palette knife
• Linseed oil
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Remove a part of the paper wrapper that protects the paint stick. Remove only small portions with each use, since the wrapper protects the colors and preserves their quality over time.

2. Apply the desired colors to your painting. Use the tip of the paint stick to draw thin lines or the sides to cover a larger area. The sticks can be used like pens to create lines or add surface enhancements to your art.

3. Create blended effects by applying a drop of turpentine to the painting's surface as you work. Or to blend the colors after you're done applying the paint sticks, use a paintbrush dampened with turpentine.

4. Mix two colors by applying the colors -- one next to the other -- on your painting, then applying a drop of turpentine and mixing with a paintbrush or palette knife. Or you can mix a color on your palette or a piece of cardboard, and transfer the new shade to your painting with a paintbrush.

5. Apply a thick layer of paint stick, and carve motifs into it using a palette knife or a sharp object.

6. Obtain lighter shades by applying white over the existing color. Darken the colors by mixing black or a complementary darker color.

7. Create watercolor washes and effects by coloring the surface with a thin layer of paint stick color and then applying turpentine over it with a paintbrush.

8. Create an impasto effect by applying thick layers of color on your working surface, then adding texture with your palette knife.

9. Combine paint sticks with liquid oil paints to create highlights or outlines. For best results, allow the liquid oil paint to cure for over 48 hours before applying the paint stick colors.

10. Allow the painting to cure. Paint sticks typically dry within 72 hours, depending on the complexity and the size of the painting. The quick drying time is an additional benefit of the paint sticks, because oil paint takes up to six months to dry completely.

11. Cover the sticks with the remaining paper you removed in Step 1, when you're done painting. Or use wax paper to cover them.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint sticks work well on surfaces such as cardboard, canvas, paper, wood or metal. The paint doesn't adhere as well on glass.

• If the paint sticks dry over time due to unsuitable storage, shave off small parts of the stick and mix with a few drops of linseed oil to create oil colors.

• Even though paint sticks are nontoxic, hypoallergenic and safer than liquid oil paints, supervise children when using these sticks, and don't allow them to lick or eat the paint.

References

• ARTalk:Working With Paint Sticks