Characteristics of oil paint

The basis consists of two components:

1. The pigment that determines the color of the product is a filler, the number of which reaches 2 thousand. Pigments are divided into:

• organic (derived from animal and plant components) and artificial origin, rarely used;
• mineral: natural (ochre, umber, mountain cinnabar, ultramarine) and artificial (cadmium, cinnabar, manganese, whitewash and others obtained from metals)

Some pigments require large production costs, while those that are commonly found have low costs.

1. A binder is used to hold the pigment particles in place as they are applied to the canvas. For many centuries, linseed oil has been the main oil, but now others are being added. All oils used are divided into: drying oils - linseed, poppy, nut, hemp; semi-drying - sunflower, cotton, maize, rapeseed; non-drying - olive, almond, palm, castor, pistachio.

In addition to oils, a wax solution is used as a binder (added for fluidity), natural resins (for brightness), as well as some additives that can increase durability.

The entire range of oil paints is divided into categories intended for different purposes and degrees of professionalism.

Professional

Used by professionals for painting or conducting a master class. For their production, high-quality binders, highly light-fast pigments and a minimal amount of fillers are used. Paints have an accelerated drying time.

Semi-professional

It is based on high quality binders, but analogues are used instead of expensive pigments. The paints have ideal light fastness and good concentration.

First level

Produced on the basis of synthetic, cheap binders with fillers. This affects the quality of the pigment concentration.

How to identify low-quality paint

There are several points to pay attention to when choosing:

• High fluidity or, conversely, pasty;
• Separation of the pigment from the binder when the oil first flows out of the tube;
• Presence of foreign impurities in the recipe;
• The strokes form stripes and an uneven layer;
• It spreads when it dries.

Explanation of icons

Tubes of paint have special markings in the form of stars or plus signs (on foreign copies).

+ or * - low light resistance; in the sun, such compositions fade within a year. Useful for writing sketches, but not for paintings.

++ or ** - average light fastness, paintings will “live” for 25 years. For beginners, this is a good choice.

+++ or *** - an excellent option for painting. The brightness of the flowers lasts up to 100 years.

The squares indicate the degree of hiding power or the degree of paint coverage:

• white – transparent, used for glazing;
• black and white – translucent; when mixed, pure shades are obtained. Interaction with transparent and solid views is possible;
• black - good hiding power, another name for paint is body paint. Ideally covers the canvas, used for thickness and texture. It is impossible to achieve transparency with any thinner.

Terms of use

To create a painting, you should prepare paints, canvas, palette and brushes. If paper is chosen as the base, its density should be high, and a primer mixture should be applied. It is necessary to store materials in a separate place, the studio.

To create a painting, you should prepare paints, canvas, palette and brushes.

How to paint in oils

Each master decides for himself which technique will be used. Either multi-layer application or single-layer application is used. The second method is easier to implement.

Creating a painting includes the following steps:

• The general contour elements of the work are drawn with charcoal;
• They begin to paint with bright shades, applying the lightest and darkest colors. Shade transitions are made by mixing colors;
• Small elements are drawn, you need to draw details on the entire canvas, without stopping at individual areas;
• Details can be changed within three days.

The dried layer should not be touched with hands and should not be wiped with a cloth.

They begin to paint with bright shades, applying the lightest and darkest colors.

Does it need to be diluted?

To obtain a relief pattern, the introduction of a thinner is not required; a thick consistency will help to obtain the desired effect. Other techniques may require the use of a less thick consistency.

Then special solvents are used, they help to obtain shiny elements, increase the transparency of the layer, increase or decrease the time for drying the coating. Thinner is also added if the paint begins to harden in the container.

To obtain a relief pattern, the introduction of a thinner is not required; a thick consistency will help to obtain the desired effect.

Paints for beginners

They are less dense and more pliable than for professionals. The Russian company produces paints of different price categories, including for beginner artists.

Ladoga

Many professional artists recommend this brand for beginners and young painting enthusiasts. The pigmentation is medium and the consistency is perfect for learning how to pick and blend shades. Dries quickly.

Advice: professionals recommend purchasing cadmium shades from more expensive brands.

Available in tubes in boxes with different numbers of shades.

Price - from 1000 rubles. for 12 colors

oil paints Ladoga

Advantages:

• Dries quickly;
• Individual tubes and sets are available for sale;
• Affordable price.

Flaws:

• Lack of saturation

Studio

The composition contains natural oils and high-quality imitation of natural pigments, which makes color shades less saturated. The creamy texture is comfortable when applying strokes and is suitable for those who are just starting to learn painting.

There are packages on sale with different numbers of tubes and individually.

Manufacturer - Gamma Russia

Price - from 155 rub. for 10 pcs.

oil paints Studio

Advantages:

• Bright shades;
• Mix well and apply;
• Dries quickly;
• Availability.

Flaws:

• Poor color palette;
• Burn out

Georgian

Inexpensive English product, based on artificial dyes that apply easily. Different shades are easy to mix, dry quickly, and do not fade for a long time. Delicate creamy consistency is ideal for beginning artists.

Country: Great Britain

Price - from 255 rub. (tube 38 ml)

Georgian oil paints

Advantages:

• Good hiding power;
• Give a clear structure of the smear;
• Rich colors;
• Mix well.

Flaws:

• Takes a long time to dry;
• High price

Master Oil

A classic version of oil paints, which are made using traditional technologies. Well applied to any surface. The composition contains finely ground pigments, natural and synthetic, providing light-resistant shades.

The paint does not turn yellow and looks the same in daylight and artificial light. Suitable for mixing with Russian products “Ladoga” and “Master Class”.

Production - Ferrario Italy

Price - from 300 rub. per tube 60 ml

oil paints Master Oil

Advantages:

• Lightfast;
• Can be mixed;
• Large volume;
• Quality;
• Any solvent is suitable.

Flaws:

• Rarely found in sets.

Classico

The Italian manufacturer Maimeri produces products individually and in sets. Thanks to modern technologies, the compositions contain a minimum of harmful substances. For example, pigments that imitate: mercury, cadmium, cobalt. The composition does not contain wax or thickeners. These characteristics made the products safe for children.

The colors do not turn yellow when dry. All shades in the palette are rich, especially blue and orange. A thin layer dries in 48 hours.

Country: Italy.

Price - from 260 rub. per tube 20 ml.

Classico oil paints

Advantages:

• No harmful substances;
• Bright color palette;
• Quick drying;
• Convenient tube size.

Flaws:

• No

Royal Talens Art Creations

The recipe is based on a binder - linseed oil and high-quality organic pigments. Royal Talens Art Creations are recommended for beginning artists and have bright, long-lasting colors. Suitable for thin and pasty layers. Drying occurs in 7-10 days.

The picture does not lose its freshness even after 2-3 years. There are sets and individual tubes of 40 and 200 ml on sale.

Country: Holland

Price - from 200 rub.

oil paints Royal Talens Art Creations

Advantages:

• Economical consumption due to consistency;
• Rich colors;
• Mix well;
• High quality.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Main palette

The color range of artistic paints is varied; there are about 100 shades that can be used to create a unique work of art. There is a certain set of colors that will help create a picture:

• White to obtain the desired tone of white, different whites are mixed in the required ratio;
• Red;
• Blue;
• Green;
• Yellow;
• Brown;
• Black.

You can get any other shades from these shades; you should try mixing different ones so that in the future the process of obtaining the desired color is not difficult.

The color range of artistic paints is varied; there are about 100 shades that can be used to create a unique work of art.

Semi-professional and professional

One of the advantages of this group is a successful combination of price and quality. The paints are popular among beginning artists, amateurs, and college students.

Rembrandt

Paint production is located in Holland. High quality pigments and binders; no fillers are used. The unique recipe of Dutch paint is to create a range of shades that have universal artistic properties: drying period and shine of any pigment number. The palette includes 120 colors, the most famous are translucent.

Metallic colors use pigments instead of copper powder that do not oxidize or fade over time. The manufacturer gives a 100-year guarantee for most paints.

Manufacturer: Royal Talens (Holland)

Price - from 800 rub. per tube 40 ml

Rembrandt oil paints

Advantages:

• High color fastness;
• Extra fine grinding of pigment;
• Pure, rich colors;
• Proven quality.

Flaws:

• No

Master Class

Domestic produces a Master Class series, which contains specially processed linseed oil and a high concentration of pigment. The paint has great coverage, saturation and density of strokes. The color palette includes 99 shades.

Contains high-quality pigments, produced in-house. Many artists rate the paint as highly professional. It can be mixed with colors from other Nevskaya Palette series.

Manufacturer - Russia

Price - from 246 rubles. per tube 46 ml

oil paints Master class

Advantages:

• High performance;
• Large color palette;
• Does not change tone after drying;
• Can be used for restoration work.

Flaws:

• No.

Winsor&Newton

The British company has been producing art materials for 170 years. The entire palette is distinguished by its purity and high quality. During production, only the best oils and technological methods of mixing mineral and organic pigments into the base are used. The process technology makes it possible to prepare paint using a single pigment that conveys the corresponding color. This allows the colors to mix well. Dry over several days, a thin layer dries from 2 to 12.

For example, Alizarin Crimson paint has been part of the Artists series for 130 years and has been popular with artists. A painting painted with such paints will retain its original appearance for up to 200 years.

Country: Great Britain

Price - from 550 rub. per tube 37 ml

oil paints Winsor&Newton

Advantages:

• Tested quality of raw materials;
• Great hiding power;
• Lightfastness;
• Mixes well;
• There are sets and individual tubes on sale.

Flaws:

• No

Schmincke

This German brand has several series based on high quality oils. For beginners: Akademie OL COLOR.

Professionals prefer the Norma Oils series. Manufacturing technologies are more than 100 years old, using ancient recipes and rare, high-quality pigments. Even thin strokes remain clean and juicy. The consistency of the composition allows use without thinner. Highest light fastness and hiding power. The colors are especially vibrant: red, yellow, orange.

The Mussini line is made from Mussini resin, which is a modern process for recreating Renaissance oil. The colors of the series mix well with other tones from this manufacturer.

Country: Germany

Price - from 900 rub. for 35 ml

oil paints Schmincke

Advantages:

• High quality;
• Environmentally friendly product;
• Highest hiding power, light fastness;
• Does not require thinner.

Flaws:

• No.

Lefranc&Bourgeois

The French brand does not use wax or fillers in its paint formulation. The Lefranc line is distinguished by high quality paints, ideal consistency and coverage. The Louvre series has perfectly matched colors, especially good shades of red and carmine.

The Extra Fine series contains 120 shades, most of which are single-pigment, using the purest pigments. This ensures high color rendering, light fastness and durability. The entire line has been redesigned: some old colors have been removed, for example, natural cadmium is no longer used (replaced with an analogue).

The product texture and design have been redesigned. Modern equipment is used in production. To obtain a stretchy, dense and thick structure, triple grinding is used.

Country: France

Price - from 353 rub. per tube 20 ml

oil paints Lefranc&Bourgeois

Advantages:

• High quality of raw materials and final product;
• Wide palette of shades;
• High light fastness, color rendition.

Flaws:

• It takes a long time to dry.

Da Vinci

The series refers to ultra-thin paints. They are easy to apply and dry quickly, the paints are highly lightfast and remain bright for a long time. The composition contains very finely ground pigment, due to which the strokes lie smoothly.

Paints can be found in professional stores or on the manufacturer’s website.

Country: USA.

Price - from 800 rub. per tube 35 ml.

oil paints Da Vinci

Advantages:

• Ultra-thin;
• High light fastness;
• Good consistency.

Flaws:

• Not always on sale.

Van Dyck

The Italian factory Ferrario produces a series of ultra-thin oil paints that appeared 100 years ago. The entire palette has a rich, dense color, good hiding power and light fastness.

Pigments provide high durability and economical consumption. The paints have a thick, oily texture.

The series is available in sets and separately in tubes of 20 ml, 60 and 150 ml

Country: Italy.

Price - from 500 rub. for 20 ml.

Van Dyck oil paints

Advantages:

• Finely grated;
• High quality;
• Economical.

Flaws:

• Not always on sale.