OIL PAINTING WITH NO PAINT BRUSHES
A paintbrush is certainly the most commonly used
tool in oil painting. But that does not necessarily
imply that paint brushes are indispensable for oil
painting. Most people, because they do oil
painting with paint brushes, easily forget that there
are other ways to apply paint to a surface.
 Most
people who are knowledgeable about oil painting
will agree that palette knives have for long been the traditional
oil paint mixing tool. It is indeed a fact that
palette knives are ideally suited for creating smooth, consistent
mixtures of paint with the medium. At the same time, there is
no denying that there is a host of oil painters
who go beyond the palette with their knives, straight to the painting
surface.
These knives are available in a variety of shapes
and sizes and even made in plastic. As all of us are aware, for
mixing purposes, just one traditional shape or size might do. But
applying paint calls for a range of palette knives to choose from
like choosing a set of brushes. When you are attempting to paint
with palette knives, experiment with different shapes and sizes
to see what produces the best effects. It is generally believed
that smaller and thinner knives are ideal for lining, and the bigger
ones are more suited for loading on the paint.
 There
are people who are fond of using stencils into their painting work
= particularly when the subject demands a repetitive effect. There
are ready-made stencils available in the market or you can make
your own with the aid of a stencil kit. But you must take care to
use the proper materials or else, the desired results cannot be
achieved.
All professional painters will agree that stenciling
is not a traditional oil
painting method. This is one reason why there are hardly
any tutorials. Professional will insist you should still keep in
mind the fundamentals of the medium - what is generally known as
‘fat over lean’. It is obvious that very thin paint
will bleed around the edges, so it might be necessary to wait until
one of the thicker layers of your painting. But it is a fact that
stenciling in one of the under layers gives a great effect. However,
it is advisable to experiment to find a solution that will fit your
needs.
You will soon find rags, sponges and even your
own fingers as excellent alternate tools when it comes to oil painting.
Professional oil painters claim that it is possible one could create
an entire oil painting using rags and/or sponges
and without the aid of paint brushes. Sometimes the background color
of the painting can be effectively done using just one’s own
fingers. Of course, the basic ‘fat over lean rule’ always
applies, so bear that in mind when experimenting in any innovative
methods.
However, one should exercise caution when painting
with your fingers or any other part of your body. You must make
sure that the oil color and solvents do not absorb into your skin
and then into your bloodstream. This could lead to health problems.
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