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Basic Oil Painting Techniques

Learn how to paint with oils and the basic techniques of oil painting from a professional artist in this free video art lesson.

Series Summary

The art of painting with oils has it's roots in the Middle Ages, as oil paint was used as a more functional and durable replacement for tempera paints. While oil-based painting is mentioned as far back as 1125 BCE, the medium gained popularity with 15th century painters in northern Europe, and the glossy finish of the paintings helped to define the style. Italian Renaissance painters soon began working with oils, and oils have been the preferred medium of painters for centuries since. The process of oil painting is somewhat more involved than using quick-drying acrylic paints. Traditionally, each layer of the painting, from the underpainting on, is someone oilier than the previous layer, allowing for the paint to dry properly without cracking or peeling. The artist can choose to add varnishes, resins or waxes to change the translucency of the paint. Some oil paintings can be dry enough to be varnished in six months to a year, but many art conservators say it can take as many as 60 to 80 years before a painting is completely dry.

In this series of free video art lessons you'll learn the basic techniques of painting with oils. Expert artist Vince Fazi shows you what art supplies you'll need to get started, how to set up a still life subject for your painting, and how to choose the colors for your painting. He'll also show you how to make oil paintings from a photograph, including how to get started, how to place color and shapes on your canvas, and how to emphasize the focal point of your piece. Watch these free videos to learn the basics, and then follow your imagination using these basic guidelines, and start your masterpiece today!

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About the Presenter

Vince Fazio