Aug 29
Zebras
19.8cm x 27.8cm
Acrylic on paper
© Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)
It is my dream to create an art which is filled with balance, purity and calmness, freed from a subject matter that is disconcerting or too attention-seeking. In my paintings, I wish to create a spiritual remedy, similar to a comfortable armchair which provides rest from physical expectation for the spiritually working, the businessman as well as the artist.
Henri Matisse
I am a big fan of pastel paint and I love paintings created with pastel. It is such a quick painting medium that can be used to create beautiful paintings very quickly. And with pastel you do not have to bother about toxic smells and fumes; which is quite unlike Oil paints; which can be quite toxic. See tips on how to use Oil paint. My love for the medium and its advantages led me to buy a set of pastel paints some time ago but I am still trying to use them (effectively).
This video is a pastel portrait painting demo by the artist: Alice McMahon. She creates beautiful art with pastels and she enjoys every minute of it too. The work is at a massive size of 6 feet by 3 feet. I hope you would enjoy it as much as I enjoyed it.
copyright Nkolika Anyabolu
For complete details on technique and colours used; visit the painting resources page to see step 1 to step 7 and other helpful painting tips.
The emotions are sometimes so strong that I work without knowing it. The strokes come like speech~ Vincent Van Gogh
An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language~ Henri Matisse
Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art~ Leonardo da Vinci
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say ‘he feels deeply, he feels tenderly’~ Vincent Van Gogh
Every good painter paints what he is~ Rembrandt
I have sold 2 works from my Etsy shop in 2 days. One to a buyer in Canada and another in the United States. It sure does feel good when I sell a work of art. Not only for the money I get to make but for the fact that someone saw my work and loved it so much as to buy it.
For someone trying to promote her art from the most disadvantaged continent on earth where the resources that come so easily to 3/4 of the worlds’ population (who take it for granted) come at a great cost; both financially and physically; selling art online is indeed a feat to be very proud of. And I give God all the glory.
A lot of artists have been complaining about a drop in the number of Internet sales they have been having recently and I count myself very lucky to make a sale (sales).
My sales have been slow to come but I know they will increase over time. I understand it is not easy buying art because not only are they expensive but most times “you” the buyer is almost always confronted by the fact that you are buying from someone you have never met before.
That is one reason why I try to make myself known and I always strive to remove the impersonal nature that creating relationships over the Internet can have. I always encourage my readers and potential clients to go through my resume and biography in order to know more about me.
As an artist, the joy in creating becomes richer and fuller when someone shares in it through your work of art. I encourage you to be part of creation.
I see more and more that my work goes infinitely better when I am properly fed, and the paints are there, and the studio and all that. But have I set my heart on my work being a success? A thousand times no. I wish I could manage to make you really understand that when you give money to artists, you are yourself doing an artist’s work, and that I only want my pictures to be of such a quality that you will not be too dissatisfied with your work
Vincent Van Gogh
Photo by Anthony Easton
Sunny day
2.5″ x 3.5″
Oil on paper
I am a very practical person, more of a D.I.Y person who has come a long way by being willing to learn as much as I can about things I am passionate about.
Using Oil paints can be quite daunting thus you need some tips to guide you. I have compiled some tips here which have helped me which I am very sure would help you too.
Work from thin to fat i:e use less diluents on the upper layers of your painting. This is a golden rule in oil painting and it ensures that your finished work does not crack.
Always have a piece of newspaper, kitchen tissue or cloth beside you for wiping off your brush. During a painting session it is easy for the painting brush to pack in a lot of paint. Having something to clean off the excess paint is especially useful keeping your brush light.
Make sure your painting surface is free of dust.
Always paint in a well ventilated room. Oil paint is made of toxic materials which can be dangerous. The other media used with oil paint are also toxic especially
turpentine (see tip #9). Thus it is important to work in well ventilated rooms so as to ensure that you do not inhale the fumes.
Do not use black as an under painting. Use earth colours (raw umber, burnt umber, raw sienna or burnt sienna) or any other colour you wish to use.
Be confident.
Make sure the lids and tops of your oil paints are screwed on tightly. This is to prevent your paints from caking up while in the tube.
Clean your brushes first then use a mild soap. You can clean your brushes by referring to tip #2.
Stop using oil paint if you start reacting to them. I remember the first time I reacted to turpentine. I developed burning red eyes, running nose and a cough with associated generalized body itching. All this stopped when I gave myself a break entirely from painting for some weeks and when I resumed painting; I kept away from turpentine. The lesson here is to be vigilant and recognize any adverse effects early.
When mixing your paint; avoid mixing much at a time so as to keep your paints fresh.
Use oil or acrylic based primers to prime your canvas or painting surface. This to give your surface tooth and prevent them (especially canvas cloths) from soaking up your paints.
Do not be afraid that your oil paints would dry up overnight. They can still be used by removing the caked up upper layer.
Do not squeeze out too much paint at the same time as they may dry up on your palette.
Do not be too bothered about how the finished work would be.
Avoid inhaling or ingesting the paints as they are toxic. Some artists use face masks when painting in order to minimize the amount of paint that they inhale.
Do not be afraid of making mistakes. Oil paint is a very forgiving medium. You can make corrections even after your work is dry by simply repainting the area you wish to correct.
I hope you found these useful. Painting with oils can be quite frustrating but that should not deter you because it is a beautiful medium and there are various techniques you can use to bring out the best in your painting. Its forgiving nature makes it the best medium for beginners. So give it a try.
Be sure to check out the other how-to articles on art and painting.
Do you have any tips of your own? Please feel free to share it
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