advice for a beginning oil painter?

[LaFrance]

ok Y'all,

I've heard enough times now that, if I *really* want to learn to paint,
I need to paint with some type of physical medium. So, I'm listening.
Oils just seem to be the way to go...

any advice on simple ways to start would be great. i.e. good books/advice for
mixing colors, preparing a canvas, types of canvases, etc.

also, just any practical advice from those of you in the know to perhaps keep me from falling in a pit or two?

thanks muchly,

Brian

[bcottman]

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781581800531&itm=3

This book by Kevin MacPherson is pretty good as a starting point. It covers enough of the fundamentals of oil painting to get you started including materials, supports and such. There are a number of other sources out there as well. The "How to Render" videos by Scott Robertson are good at explaining value structure and creating form. There are also some gouache painting dvds by Bob Kato that seem pretty good (gouache may actually be an easier cheaper alternative to start with than oils).

best advice though is just to continually work from observation. study nature, dont try to make it up.

[LaFrance]

Thanks Brian,

love your stuff, btw.
Funny you should mention Bob Kato... I'm actually taking a photoshop painting
class from him through work (Disney) right now. He's the one who really got me convinced to jump into traditional media, and, coincidentally, also mentioned gouache as a nice alternative. I've ordered the first Scott Robertson dvd... I'll check into the others.

and yes, observation. and practice...

thanks,

Brian

[jmorri26]

Oil painting is tons of fun (if you're patient)

I personally can't stand canvas and many I know (including myself) use either masonite board or heavy illustration board and no primer or gesso. It lets you get really detailed without smearing around a lot of paint which at the beginning was so frustrating!).

My biggest advice is to just get some brushes and a starter set of oils and just play. Try and copy a photograph or another painting. It doesnt matter what you paint on really. A store bought canvas is good too. Just play. (Then post a picture on here for some advice) :) good luck!