Oil Painting Techniques for Beginners, RISD Art Professor Demo, Part 1 of 2

Demo and discussion with RISD Adjunct Professor Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Cat Huang and guest artist Owen Rival

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Clara Lieu was an Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design from 2007-2020. Her artwork has been exhibited at the International Print Center NY, the Currier Museum, Childs Gallery, the Davis Museum, and more. Lieu received an artist fellowship from the MA Cultural Council, has written for the NY Times, and lectured at Brown University, the NAEA conference, and in Vancouver & China. She has been profiled in Artsy, Hyperallergic, KPCC, & WBUR.

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[theoubliette]

The three of you together, chatting it up is too cute and hilarious.

[gabrielblack]

I feel like it's important to mention that there are several non-toxic alternatives to turpentine and Gamsol. Many natural oils such as spike lavender oil work just as well and are completely non-toxic. Just a good thing to keep in mind as a nice alternative.

[artprof]

For those of you watching this tutorial, please know that our approach to filming this tutorial was to provide very basic information on the differences about oil paint for someone who has little to no experience at all with this material. (thus, the "for beginners" in the video title. Since it is impossible for us to know what each individual person watching this video has access to in terms of a place to paint, (whether it's in a home studio, outdoors, at a local arts organization) we err on being conservative and cautious when presenting information on toxic materials and being responsible about safe disposal of materials that cannot be poured down the sink or placed in a regular trash can without causing harm to the environment.

There are probably some of you who do have that circumstance or facility, but we felt that it would be irresponsible for us to make the assumption that everyone watching this video does. There are certainly nuances and complexities to the toxicity of certain materials, (not to mention so many manufacturers and pigments, each of which are different!) but our point is for people to understand that oil painting isn't a practice that you can casually maintain the way you could if you are doing a pencil drawing.

I'm sure there are some of you watching this video who are much more advanced in your painting practice, have logged many more years, and have tried out many more different materials that we don't mention in this tutorial. Beginners in acrylic and oil painting have a lot of hurtles to deal with when they first start painting. As you progress and find which mediums and techniques are right for you, and develop preferences for your own customized painting technique, you may have different experiences than we talk about above.

[franziska]

Cat is so blunt it's wonderful. "why are you asking me?" "I don't need one" Girl you're wonderful.

[nikitagiri]

My first and only art teacher was so amazing. He gave me the right supply list, taught me the imp of layering, ventilation, how to clean and dispose of things... absolutely every single thing.

RIP 🎨

[jimmyfortrue]

Just an off hand comment about the Turner painting at 58:29 ... A lot of people think that he exaggerated the sky colors in this and other paintings of the time, but this was after the Mount Tambora volcanic eruption of 1815 and sky's looked like this for periods of time. It is considered the largest eruption in recorded human history, led to extremely cold temperatures (The Year Without a Summer) and additionally led Mary Shelly to write the story of Frankenstein. ( Being stuck indoors all summer because the weather was so depressing and inhospitable) and her friend and contemporary, Lord Byron, wrote the poem "Darkness".

[YaburuRunyaru]

I saw the death in his eyes when she brought out the freezer paper XD

[dawnx]

I just bought a set of oils. I'm glad I watched this before starting XD

[calypsowarrior]

I just watched your video and have to say I absolutely loved your down to earth nature. I felt like I was listening to an old friend described her art and with such passion. I loved the easy descriptions and hearing the real struggles made it so reassuring. Thanks

[sunck]

I think using linseed oil is good to use as an oil medium by itself, also oleo gel is a good medium to use by itself. Also mixing colors with a brush can be perfectly fine if you are painting in a French style. Many French styles of painting revolve around painting extremely thin and involves cleaning your brushes after every color by just dipping them in thinner and wiping it off. Some French styles of painting are almost like painting in stains. Different styles of painting have different styles of mixing colors.

[TheAlkhemiaStudio]

I got into this video by random chance and i think it's the BEST begginer tutorial for oilpainting.
All the questions and chitchat really made it educative and fun.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[DouglasPexa]

You need a black in your kit, not to paint darks or dull colors down but to make the best natural green! Use cadmium yellow and the smallest amount of black such as mars or ivory black for one of my favorite greens.

[impish]

This video and part 2 has been VERY helpful... You have helped to demystify the world of oil painting for me in a way I could finally understand... will enjoy seeing more of your tips and tricks for working with oils, which has been challenging as I am used to the quick dry of acrylic... but loving the buttery feel and vibrancy of oils

[luis-ynkp]

Watching these Oil painting videos because I'm putting myself in a high level mindset when I'm actually a beginner! Taking it easy with a painting I need to do for a figurative Painting class

[c.j]

The best approach to oil painting is having the mindset that you can paint anything (no matter how detailed or realistic or crazy) with patience. Because once you have the basics down that's really all it is. When you think about it you could paint in the finest of fine details, or perfect that color to a tee if you have the commitment and patience, it may take tries and a few paint overs but you can.

[haydenpeeples]

This is the best gift I could have received this holiday season! Oil painting has always been so interesting to me but I’ve never known where to start!

[jimmyfortrue]

A suggestion: The final varnish should be a removable varnish... Then in the future the owner has the option to remove the top varnish and then re-varnish.

[amina]

Hi Professor Clara Lieu!
I just finished watching both parts of these videos, and I want to thank you and your fellow artists for sharing your past experiences and mistakes. So informative and hilarious!. :)

[chrispascual]

Live this episode. Takes me back to my first oil painting class. I can smell the medium as I write this.

[lisengel]

Its so true that the real experience of oil painting is so different from digital experience - I fell in love with oil paint to first time I was presented to it when I was 12 years old. I never forget the passionate feelings of joy of the colors and have been attracted ever since - thank you for your very interesting video of the qualities and possibilities of oil painting and I love when brushstrokes are visible. Its what truly makes magic for me. And I loved the comment on the importance of color and the sensitivity to warm-cool and not just dark-light