Tag: oil painting tips

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How to Create and Effectively Use Edges in a Painting

Today we will discuss edges, how they are created, and how you can use them to attract the eye of the viewer.

First let’s define what an edge actually is. An edge is essentially a border between two contrasting elements.

The variations in the following components can create an edge: Color, Atmosphere, Light, Form, Shape, Texture, and Values.

You can remember this with the humerus mnemonic CALFS TV. Just imagine baby calfs on TV. (Yes calfs is a variant of calves. )

Edges fall on a continuum with one extreme being lost edges (aka soft edges) and the other extreme being found edges (aka hard edges).

Let’s look at an example of hard and soft edges created with color. The edge between blue and yellow will be much harder than an edge between blue and purple. See the example below.

Example of hard and soft edges using blue and purple and yellow and blue
Example of hard and soft edges using color alone

Now let’s look at an example of edges created with light. Shadows tend to have harder edges closer to an object and softer edges farther from an object. We can see this in the oil painting below of a red apple.

Oil painting of red apple and purple shadow with hard and soft edges
Shadow edges soften as they get farther from an object

Now that we know what edges are and have seen a few examples of creating them, let’s discuss how they can engage your viewers.

Hard edges naturally attract the human eye. Thus, sometimes it is helpful to use sharper edges in your focal point and softer edges as you move away from the focal point.

In the example below, I used harder edges in the fire hydrant to make it the center of interest. The edges in the background trees are far softer.

Red and yellow fire hydrant and green trees digital oil painting in procreate
Example of lost and found edges

Let’s summarize. Edges are created with contrasting borders and can be hard, soft, and anywhere in between. Hard edges can be used to make your focal point stand out among a sea of softer edges, attracting the eye of the viewer.

Do you use hard edges in your center of interest? Feel free to comment or ask a question. I’m here to be your painting guide.

Stop back tomorrow (and every day) for more tips.

Stay inspired

Bry

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How to Oil Paint on a Budget: 3 Tips to Save Money on Oil Paint, Brushes, and Panels

Today let’s discuss how to start (or maintain) oil painting for as little money as possible, without sacrificing quality.

One of the main things you need is paint. But you don’t need every color in the rainbow to start. In fact, you’ll learn quicker if you start with just one pigment, say, burnt umber, for example.

It may not be as exciting, but if your goal is to learn to control oil paint, one pigment is all you need. (See the previous article on monochrome painting.)

And you can get a 37ml tube of premium M Graham burnt umber for under $10. Not bad. Premium oil paint is usually softer and easier to manipulate so you don’t need mediums while painting. So there is more money saved right there.

Now you need a firm brush to push that oil paint around. You can get a high quality Princeton Dakota number 8 for about $10. Sound like a lot for a brush? If you treat it well, it can easily last years.

Here is a video on how I clean my brushes to make them last forever. https://youtu.be/2gMDf1Bwo9o

It’s helpful to have multiple brushes but you can definitely get by with just one. I like angled bright brushes because you can get broad strokes, sharp lines, and fine points. All that from one brush, and more money saved.

For a support to paint on, I like hardboard panels, formally known as masonite. They are great for learning and even finished paintings if properly sealed and primed.

You can get a 4×8’ panel at Home Depot cut into 96 6×8” panels, a perfect size for quick studies. At around $14 for the full sheet, that comes to about 15 cents per panel, compared to $2.50 at an art store.

If you bought those 96 panels in an art store it would be $250. That’s quite the discount.

If you are learning to paint in monochrome, there is virtually no reason to clean your brush while painting. So no solvents need. Just wipe it with a rag or paper towel. More money saved.

Now you could wash your brushes with soap and water after you finish painting, but if you paint regularly, you could just dip them in Gamblin safflower oil.

You can get a bottle for around $25, but that bottle could easily last you a year if you are just using it for dipping brushes. It’s well worth it because it will save you from washing brushes all the time.

Finally you need something to prime your panels. You could get some Golden acrylic gesso for about $15 or student grade gesso for even less. It will do just fine if you are learning and experimenting. But here is a little tip if you want to use some of that money you just saved.

Consider trying Michael Harding nonabsorbent acrylic primer. If you are painting in monochrome with a reductive technique, it will enable you to wipe off paint much more easily than gesso.

It’s a little pricey at $28 for the small jar but a little goes a long way. Not a money saver but it makes painting more enjoyable.

Gamblin oil ground is even better but you’ll also need a sizing like GAC 100 from Golden, and that is more money to spend, and defeats the purpose of this article.

Just about the only other thing you would need is a mixing palette. I prefer wooden palettes but for the sake of saving money you could just use aluminum foil. You probably already have that, so that’s free.

So there you have it: An absolute bare bones way to start oil painting or maintain it if you you are short on cash. It may not be very exciting, but it will get the job done.

What tips do you have for saving money on supplies. Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

Stop back tomorrow, and everyday, for more painting tips.

Stay inspired,

Bry