Leo Martínez
Oil paints have been used for centuries, with some of the earliest instances of oil painting found in Afghanistan by Buddhist artists. Today, artists mix oil paints to create a variety of colours, shades, and brightness values. When mixing oil paints, artists typically use a palette knife or a brush to combine different pigments with oils and other solutions to create their desired colours. It is recommended to start with a light colour and gradually add small amounts of a darker colour to achieve the desired hue. Additionally, artists often mix their oils with mediums, diluents, or solvents like linseed oil or turpentine to adjust the consistency, fluidity, and drying time of the paint. While it is possible to mix oil paints straight out of the tube, adding these substances can make the paint easier to work with and create a smoother finish. However, it is important to use these additives conservatively as they can affect the outcome of the painting, such as causing flaking or a dull finish if too much thinning agent is added.
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What You'll Learn
Use a palette knife for mixing
While there is no definitive answer to how far in advance you can mix oil paint, it is generally recommended that you prepare your palette before starting your painting and work with a limited palette to create visually harmonious paintings with colours that work well together.
Palette knives are a versatile tool for artists working with oil paints. They are primarily used for mixing colours on a palette and can be used to create stunning effects in your paintings that are not possible with a brush. They are characterised by a straight or slightly bent handle, a rounded tip, and a blunt, flexible metal blade. The cheapest palette knives are made of plastic, while higher-quality ones are made of metal (usually stainless steel) with a wooden handle. Metal palette knives are sharper and better at scooping paint, and they make it easier to create sharp lines and build up thick textures.
To mix oil paints with a palette knife, set up your paint blobs around the edge of your palette. Scoop up some paint with the knife and place it in a clear area of your palette, typically towards the centre. Wipe the knife with a rag to prevent colours from mixing unintentionally. Then, scoop up another colour and add it to the first. Apply enough downward pressure when mixing to ensure that the paints are thoroughly combined. Flip the knife over occasionally to ensure that all the paint is mixed. Wipe the knife frequently to avoid cross-contamination.
Palette knives can be used to create a range of effects in your paintings. They can be used to build up layers of thick pigments and small strokes to create a broken colour effect, which incorporates texture, depth, and optical mixing. You can also use the knife to scrape details into your painting, such as tree branches. This technique is called sgraffito, which comes from the Italian word "sgraffire", meaning "to scratch". To create this effect, use the tip and edges of the blade to scratch or scrape the still-wet top layer of paint to reveal the dry underlying paint surface or canvas.
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Mix from light to dark
Oil paints can be mixed and stored in an airtight container. However, there is no definite answer to how far in advance one can mix oil paints. This is because the time it takes for oil paint to dry depends on the thickness of the paint, the temperature, and the humidity. Oil paints can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to dry completely. Therefore, it is recommended to mix oil paints only when needed to ensure the best results.
Now, when it comes to mixing from light to dark, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to choose the right colours. Select a light colour such as Titanium White, Zinc-Titanium White, or Naples Yellow, and a darker colour such as Yellow Ochre or Raw Umber. It is recommended to start with a generous amount of the light colour and only a small amount of the dark colour, as darker hues in oil paint tend to have stronger tinting power.
Next, use a palette knife to mix the colours gradually, adding small amounts of the darker hue to the lighter one. It is easier to add more dark colour than to lighten the mixture if it becomes too dark. This process allows you to create different shades and brightness values by adjusting the ratio of light to dark colours.
Additionally, it is important to remember the "'fat over lean' rule when mixing and painting with oil paints. This means that each new layer should have a bit more oil and a bit less thinner than the previous layer. The top layer, being "fatter", will harden slowly, while the lower layer, being "leaner", will harden faster, creating a more durable painting surface.
Finally, it is worth noting that there is no rule that says you must mix from light to dark. Some artists prefer to work from dark to light, especially when using opaque mediums, as it is easier to block in the shadows and then add lighter values on top. However, working from light to dark can require more precision and planning to avoid having to cover large dark areas with light paint. Ultimately, the decision of whether to mix from light to dark or dark to light depends on the artist's preference and the specific painting technique being used.
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Prepare solvents and rags
Oil paints are challenging to use due to their drying times and consistency. Artists often mix them with a solvent or a medium to make them easier to work with. Solvents like turpentine increase the fluidity of oil paints but make them dry faster. Linseed oil is another popular choice for thinning the consistency of oil paints and making it smoother and easier to mix with other colour pigments. However, it is important to note that adding too much linseed oil may affect lighter hues by adding a yellow tint.
When preparing solvents and rags for oil painting, here are some tips to consider:
- Choose the right solvent: Select an eco-friendly solvent that is suitable for oil paints. Turpentine is a commonly used solvent that increases the fluidity of oil paints. Linseed oil is another option that helps thin the paint and create a smoother consistency.
- Prepare the solvent mixture: In a well-ventilated area, carefully mix your chosen solvent with a small amount of oil paint to create a thin, consistent mixture. Start with a small amount of solvent and gradually add more if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Use rags for wiping: Have a stack of clean, absorbent rags or paper towels nearby. These will be useful for wiping your hands, brushes, and palette knives during the painting process.
- Consider reusable options: Instead of disposable paper towels, you can use old cloth rags or strips of cotton fabric. These can be washed and reused multiple times, reducing waste.
- Prepare a palette knife: A palette knife is useful for mixing oil paints and scraping built-up paint from your palette. Keep a few paper towels or rags nearby to wipe down your palette knife between colours.
- Experiment with consistency: You can adjust the consistency of your paint by adding small amounts of solvent or medium. Add gradually and mix thoroughly to avoid making the paint too thin or runny.
By following these steps, you can effectively prepare solvents and rags for your oil painting endeavours, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable creative process.
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Mix with a brush
Mixing oil paints with a brush is a common practice, and many artists use the same brushes for mixing as they do for painting. When mixing with a brush, it is important to remember that oil paints have a longer drying time than other types of paint. This means that you will need to be prepared to do a lot of mixing to get the right colour and consistency.
To mix oil paints with a brush, start by choosing a light colour as your base. Titanium White, Zinc-Titanium White, and Naples Yellow are good options. Then, choose a darker colour to mix into the light colour. Raw Umber and Yellow Ochre are commonly used darker hues. It is recommended to start with a generous amount of the light colour and only a small amount of the dark colour, as darker hues have greater tinting power than lighter ones. Gradually add small amounts of the darker colour to the lighter one until you achieve the desired shade. It is easier to fix the shade if you have added too little of the darker colour rather than too much.
You can also mix different amounts of white pigment into your colours to create lighter versions of the same shade. Additionally, you can mix two colours together and then add increasing amounts of white to create different degrees of brightness.
If you are mixing directly on your canvas, you can use a variety of brushes to create different textures and effects. You can also mix your paints on a palette before applying them to the canvas. Wooden palettes and glass palettes are commonly used, and some artists tone their palettes with grey acrylic paint to provide a better surface for mixing.
When mixing oil paints, it is important to be cautious when using mediums, diluents, and solvents, as these can affect the outcome of your painting. It is recommended to use these substances conservatively and in small increments, adding only as much as you think is needed. Linseed oil, for example, can be added to thin the consistency of the paint and make it smoother, but it can also affect lighter hues by adding a yellow tint.
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Store mixed paint in air-tight containers
Oil paints can be challenging to work with due to their drying times and consistency. To extend the life of your paints, you can store them in air-tight containers. Here are some methods to do so:
Aluminium Foil
You can place your oil paint in small squares of aluminium foil, then fold the foil over to create an airtight seal. Smudge a little bit of paint on the outside of the foil for easy identification later. However, some sources claim that it is difficult to create a truly airtight seal with foil, and the paint can be challenging to remove.
Aluminium Tubes
You can also store your mixed paint in aluminium tubes. Use a palette knife to scoop the paint into the tube, tapping it repeatedly to make the paint go to the bottom. Fill the tube three-quarters full and use a putty knife to flatten and seal the end.
Plastic Containers
There are many airtight plastic containers available at paint stores that can safely store oil-based paints. Ensure you select a container intended for paint, as the paint can break up other plastic materials and degrade. Heavy-duty Tupperware-type containers can also withstand oil-based paints and are useful for storing large paint quantities.
Glass Containers
Glass containers can be used to store small amounts of paint. Glass mason jars, for example, allow you to easily see the colour of the paint without opening the lid. Ensure the glass container has a wide mouth and an airtight lid.
Freezing
Some artists also recommend freezing your paint on a glass plate to store it. This method helps to slow down the rate of oxidation and evaporation, preserving the paint.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you only mix enough paint for immediate use. However, if you need to prepare in advance, you can store oil paint in an airtight container for future use.
You can mix oil paint with a palette knife or a brush.
You can mix oil paint with a solvent, medium, or diluent. Linseed oil and turpentine are popular choices.
Start with a generous amount of a light colour and add a small amount of a darker colour. Mix from light to dark.
You can start with the three primary colours, brown, and white.
