How to Blend Oil Paint Smoothly

Blending oil paints smoothly is actually quite simple and can be accomplished in a variety of ways depending on the feel you're going for throughout different ares of your painting. You don't need any specially-bought brushes to achieve these effects, and they're so easy you can implement them and improve your own works today!

Check out my Complete Guide to Oil Painting here (More videos coming soon so make sure to save it!)

FREE Skillshare workshop coming Nov 2020! https://www.skillshare.com/user/caleighbirdart

10.11.2020

Woo hoo! I’m Teaching on Skillshare!

Yay! I’m now posting detailed technique tutorials on Skillshare and you can watch them for free!

It’s actually a total coincidence that I’m getting on it right as the shizzz is going down bc it’s been on my To Do list for a few months now and I started creating my first course weeks ago but, ahem, got a little sidetracked with.. um yeah, ya know.

But the good news is with posting my ‘How to Paint a Bird of Paradise Flower’ course I get my own shareable link for TWO FREE MONTHS of classes!

There are literally tens of thousands of courses to choose from from art to business to learning computer programs to graphic design. Nobody’s going anywhere for a while so why not learn some new skills for free?

So pop through my special link and go learn something new! Yay!

3.18.2020

How Much Oil Paint to Use on a Painting

Knowing how much oil paint to use for your artwork can vary greatly depending on how much surface you are covering, how many layers you like to paint in, and how thick you lay down the application. Because of this there really is no right answer, it mostly comes with practice to learn how to waste as least as possible.

However I do have some paint-saving tips I will share with you today while mixing oil paint for an 'adult hand-sized' subject so that you can see the proportions I use for my own artworks.

And PS: This video comes partly from a question I got here on YT so feel free to leave them for me in the comments and I just might make a video just for you! Yay!

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originally published November 9, 2018

3 Ways to Improve a Drawing for Painting

Improving your drawing before applying paint is key to a successful work. Trust me, you do not want to wait until you've got wet paint on your linen or canvas before correcting any compositional or structural issues.

The good news is that I've got 3 super easy tips for you to implement before, during and after your preliminary drawing to insure the strongest and most beautiful final piece possible.

If you didn't catch my previous 'Rule of Thirds' + How to Make a Composition Grid tutorial you can find it here:

https://youtu.be/VvSAlq3ctkw

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originally published October 11, 2018

How to Paint Dreadlocks in Oil

Painting dreadlocks in oil is simple but can be a bit time consuming. I've developed an easy technique that I'll be sharing with you today so you can just relax and enjoy the repetitive and meditative process when you decided to tackle some dreadhead art of your own. 

Purchasing your paint or brushes through my special links helps to support this blog. Thanks!

Round 0 Brush
https://bit.ly/2nqr2Tx
Round 2 Brush
https://bit.ly/2KLpn3U
Fine Liner
https://bit.ly/2vyJ9eh
Naples Yellow
https://bit.ly/2toymBq
Yellow Ochre
https://bit.ly/2nsPvHv
Cadmium Orange
https://bit.ly/2vvrzb6
Raw Umber
https://bit.ly/2nr2jOA
Burnt Sienna
https://bit.ly/2OVAs5G

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originally published August 9, 2018

How to Varnish an Oil Painting

Welcome fellow artists! I've got a super simple video for you today, but if you're anything like me you want even the simplest artsy stuff explained before you jump into it yourself.

Varnishing an oil painting is actually really easy. It only takes a few supplies, but it's important to wait until your painting is completely dry and set so I like to wait between 2-6 months (depending on paint thickness) before varnishing any of my works. 

Do you need any varnish? Using my links will help support my YouTube channel. Thanks!

Golden MSA Varnish
https://bit.ly/2KfWbXs
Golden Solvent
https://bit.ly/2yJ2GNi
 

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originally published June 28, 2018

Mixing Caucasian Skin Tones in Oil

Hiya fellow artistas! Today's vid is kind of a double whammy because you get a sneak peek of my latest artistic venture as well as a very informative lesson (uh..... not to mention, BOOTY!). What can I say, I wanna start 2018 off with a bang:)

I go into detail on my palette and mixes and then do a little demo showing how even after I mix my skin tones I continue to accentuate certain areas of the figure with warm or cool tones as needed. Hope you learn a lil something! And if you do, a 'Subscribe' on my channel would be fantastic! 

Here's how I start my palette:

And here's a tiny sample of my reference photo (you'll just have to wait 'n see why I'm only sharing a tiny piece of it [squeeee!]:

Enjoy the show!!

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originally published January 2, 2018

How to Clean Oil Brushes Safely

Cleaning your oil brushes properly will help even the least expensive brushes last for years, and it only takes a few minutes. Grab some solvent, soap, warm water and a dish glove and let's get started!

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originally published December 12, 2017

'Nyeema' Goddess Painting Time Lapse

Me oh my Nyeema was a fun one to paint! Between those bright eyes, pretty pink smile, and fabulous stitching on her scarf I had a blast pulling out all the stops!

Nyeema, a self described Moonflower, is an amazing space-cadet-earthling-flower-child-flow-artist, for lack of a better word ;) She brings love and light to everything she does, and uses her social platforms to advocate for greener living and care for the planet. Nyeema is a very expressive muse, from her green hair and thrifted fashions to her hula hooping style and deeply personal prose on her Instagram (@indigomoonflower). She's the kind of person who has a lot below the surface, and is always up for adventure!

'Nyeema' measures 12x16 inches and is oil painted on oil primed Belgian linen mounted on birchwood.  This painting is available for purchase, and prints are coming soon, and you know she's on my 2018 Bohemian Goddesses Calendar too!!

If you notice, I added my paint mixing into the video this time. Do you find that helpful? Let me know if you like that in the comments below, of if it just added too much time to the beginning. Thanks! And....

Enjoy!

Paint Mixes:

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originally published November 12, 2017

Best Brushes for Oil Portrait Painting

Aloha friends! Today I'm bringing you my favorite oil painting brushes. I've done a lot of trial and error throughout the years and I would love to share with you the very best types I have found for painting in a realistic style, especially for portraits and figures.

Luckily for you, me, and all the other starving artists out there, I've found that when it comes to paintbrushes, it's less about the brand of brush, and more about the shape and style. You definitely do not have to break the bank in order to get great brushes. Yay! 

If you're curious about blending oil paints check out this recent post. 

To learn a bit about my very favorite paint, M Graham & Co look here. (And no, I'm not sponsored by them..... yet.... I hope to be soon though. I'm totally trying to work up the nerve to approach them about an affiliate program because I love their oil paints so flippin' much. Fingers crossed!)

Whatcha think? Is this advice nice 'n clear?

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originally published October 31, 2017