WILDFLOWERS BESIDE OLD FENCE

Oil Painting – It Takes Practice…

I paint mostly in acrylics because that is the medium that was focused on in my youth, however, recently I was given some oil paints. I have painted with oil paint in the past, but because it was so different from acrylic, and needs a lot more supplies, I didn’t really give it a fair chance. With the new oil paints I have acquired, I decided to give it another try.

I found in my iStock collection a field of flowers with a decrepit fence. On my first try I did a green wash but didn’t like the green undertones that were coming through. I stopped and pulling out a new canvas and tried a wash in burnt sienna, which I immediately liked better. For curiosity’s sake I decided to complete both pictures.

I do have to say that painting with oil paints can get a bit frustrating because of the length of time it takes to dry. Mine took about 3 – 4 days before becoming tacky. I know this is supposed to be an good thing, but I’m used to paint drying in minutes not days, so I had to alter some techniques.

I like the fence and the flowers better from the first try, but I like the bushy tree and the light in the second. I do admit that painting landscape isn’t my favourite and by the end of the second picture I found myself getting impatient to finish so I could clean my pallet and move on. I’m going to try a still life next.