Would You Like To Know What Oil Paintings Are?

The glow which oil paintings have is exemplary and some times their look is even closer to camera pictures. Reason being, shine of oil colors gives realistic effects to painting. Painters use lots of oils like linseed oil, olive oils, walnut oil, etc to mix with oil paints. They use oils in accordance with effects they want to show on their paintings. Advantages and properties of oil colors improve when mixed with Oil.
Boiled mixture of oil and colors is known as varnish.

History of oil paintings

There are several proofs of the fact that oil paintings were first drawn in Afghanistan. This art later spread to west and the whole world. In 15th century, Painters of Europe started painting with oil colors, especially Belgian painter Jan Van Eyck. He used linseed oil and oils from nuts to make oil colors. Previously Painters were very confined and drew pictures of people and animals. Painters in 15th century broadened their mindset and made pictures of Natural things, religion, and mythology. They painted landscape paintings on a large scale.Famous painters of this time were Giorgio Vasari, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Jan van Eyck.Even today, people use their tricks and techniques to make oil paintings because of their flexibility and usefulness.

If you are new to oil painting, you should be familiar with basic terms like

Acrylic paint- A special kind of paint which dries very fast and used in oil paintings.
Medium- Painters use oils to dilute oil color like turpentine, linseed oil etc. These oils are known as Medium
Palette- It is a board which is used by the painters to mix their colors to make new colors.
Canvas- It refers to the thick cloth that artists use to make their paintings on.
Monet Paintings- Monet or Claude Monet was a legendary French painter of 20th century, who founded an art style, which is called impressionism. Original Monet paintings were sold for millions of dollars in auctions.
Rembrandt - Rembrandt was name of a renowned Dutch painter of 16th century. Original Rembrandt oil paintings are extremely rare these days.
Glazing- To make a surface of canvas shiny by applying some liquid on it.
Genre- A style of art which has same traits.
Landscape paintings- Paintings which depicts mountains, sun, trees, rivers,, flowers ,ponds, etc
Impressionism- It refers to the reflections of light on water. Claude Monet is considered to be the father of this style of art.
Reproductions- Reproductions means copies of works (paintings) of famous old artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Rembrandt etc.
Varnish- it refers to the mixture of oil and oil colors.
Works- In painting world "works" means paintings and drawings.

Tips for beginners

There are various sources from where you can learn oil painting but which one is best for you, you don't know many times. You can attend classes in a university or you can learn from internet. Here is a list of sources from where you can learn oil painting.

===>Tuitions- You can take tuitions from well known artist of your locality. You can learn a lot from them. Their experience shall add to your knowledge.
===>Work as an assistant- Many established painters hire part time assistant to help them. You can work under them to learn more.
===>Video- These days art is taught through videos as well. You can download or purchase videos of art classes.
===>Art books and encyclopedias- You can purchase various books on arts which are good for self teaching.
===>Online tuitions-Unlike other subjects, Painting is also taught online. You can attend online classes as per your convenience but you will be charged for this service.
===>Your own experiments- You can do your own experiments as well. Have no fear, one learns only when one commits mistakes.

Techniques that painters use

Painters start with making sketches of desired scene on the canvas with paint or charcoal. One of the basic law or trick which is used in painting is "fat over lean" which means you have to use more oil on outer layers of painting, so that it does not crack. Painters use different oils like wax, turpentine, mineral sprits etc to make paint thin. They use these oils in accordance with their properties like faster drying etc.

One can learn oil painting very easily these days as every thing is available in market. One can even try to sell one's paintings, if one is good.

Tips before you buy any painting

Your style- You should know what you like and what not. You should not follow suggestions of others blindly.
Good knowledge- You should have good knowledge of art as there are lots of things in paintings like reproductions, landscape paintings, portraits etc.
Reproductions and originals- It is up to you buy an original painting or replica of painting of an old artist. Both have charm of their own.
Know art styles- There are many art styles like Impressionism, Expressionism, Art Nouveau, Academic-Classicism Neoclassicism etc, which you can think of, before you purchase any painting.

Reproductions of famous paintings

Not everyone can purchase original paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Claude Monet and other famous painters. Apart from being expensive, these paintings are only available in galleries only. If you have desire to have these painting, you can buy their hand made reproductions of Rembrandt oil paintings, Monet paintings etc

Consider these things before you buy online

Genuineness- If you are purchasing any painting, you should try to know its originality. Fake or copies of various paintings are sold to customers who don't have much knowledge of painting. Many customers fall prey to local art dealers, who sell reproductions in the name of original paintings. You should go to right online supplier like http://globalwholesaleart.com/
Buying process- These days you can easily purchase paintings online. You should keep in your mind price of painting, taxes imposed on it, shipping charges etc.
Framed paintings- Frames protect your paintings from scratches and dust. You should order paintings with frame. It might cost you a bit, but it good for your paintings.

Now, with this information you can learn a few basic things and start oil painting. All Oil painters are not born painters; they learn painting from surroundings. You can learn painting as well. So what are you waiting for?