How To: Oil Painting Techniques

In this guide, creative artist and tutor Marcia Kay Ellis shows you some great and easy to follow techniques for painting with oils.

The sponge-on-a-stick is great for creating a light, smooth and flat colour wash, owing to the sponge's texture - there will be no visible brush strokes.
Use loose strokes and a large brush to quickly cover large areas of the canvas or paper with a wash. This is a great starting point for a sky in a landscape. The visible brush strokes give texture which can be build on using a natural sponge to create a stippled effect - good for clouds as well as foliage, rocky surfaces etc.
It is important to be aware of where the light in your painting is coming from. If you are copying from a photograph, take note of the shadows and the highlights and where they are in relation to one another. If painting from your imagination, just remember that whatever light hits directly will create a shadow on the opposite side. Use lighter and darker shades of the same colour to create subtle highlights and shadows and a 3-dimensional look.

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