The Art of Basic Oil Painting: Master techniques for painting stunning works of art in oil-step by step

by Marcia Baldwin, James Sulkowski, Lorraine Gray

From the days of the early Masters, oil painting has inspired and intrigued artists of all skill levels. In The Art of Basic Oil Painting , artists interested in learning how to work with this complex and multifaceted medium will find inspiration through clear, step-by-step painting lessons covering a variety of approachable subjects. First, artists will be guided through the tools and materials required for oil painting, including brushes, supports, mediums, palettes, and paint. This inclusive book also has sections on basic drawing techniques and color theory, as well as brief overviews of perspective, composition, lighting, and painting from photographs. Expert oil painters then guide artists along the way by outlining basic painting techniques, demonstrating how to work with various mediums, teaching the intricacies of color mixing, and much more in an easy-to-digest format. Artists will enjoy working their way through step-by-step projects spanning a wide range of appealing subjects--including portraits, landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, and florals. Full of inspiring and beautiful works of art, The Art of Basic Oil Painting also features techniques for rendering light and shadow, creating textures, and achieving lifelike results. With its fresh approach and plethora of tips and techniques, this book provides contemporary instructions for rendering realistic works of art in a long-standing, timeless medium. Whether you are a beginning artist looking to get started in oil painting or an experienced painter looking to improve your breadth of knowledge, The Art of Basic Oil Painting offers a comprehensive guide that no fine oil artist should be without.

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mona Grewer]

I thought it was awesome!

[Iman W · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was really painful to read—I felt actual physical pain. I bought this book 9 years ago, and I’m glad I never picked it up as a beginner painter, because if I had followed these techniques, I would have really struggled. Personally, I don’t stand by making a pencil sketch at the beginning of a painting or outlining the whole piece. Since multiple different artists are talking about how they paint, you’d think they would at least know basic techniques and rules . The only person I liked in this book was James Sulkowski. Other than that, I think if I had pushed myself to finish this book, I would’ve fallen into a reading slump.

dnf at 45%

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite painting books. Good information on color theory, shading, tinting, getting browns. I like the step by step instructions and the list of colors used for each painting. Really good for beginners. The book has still life, landscapes, portraits, animals and flowers. Worth purchasing.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome starter book. The step by step instruction is helpful. Some artist could be more specific about amounts or colors but it's simple and easy to follow as well contains easier/more difficult projects.