History of oil painting an important part of any course of painting
An important part of any course of painting is learning of different techniques and their history. Oil paintings were very popular in the Renaissance, and learning history of oil painting should be important part of any painting course.
Why historical studies are so important? Of course, current techniques of painting can be used, so theoretically you can concentrate on them and ignore other. Well, if you think so, you are incredibly wrong. Why? The history of oil paintingis a good example of constant improvements of techniques and paints. Almost each big color improvement resulted in designing new techniques and often also in new aesthetics.
Unconfirmed data suggest that oil painting techniques was used in ancient times. Confirmed history of oil painting can be dated back to middle ages. First techniques were based on olive oil. The drying time of paints based on it was excessively long, so around 1410 Jan van Eyck invented paints based on linseed oil. His achievements set the standard for a long time. Further addition of lead oxide to pigment and oil mixtures by Antonello da Messina resulted in increasing their siccative property. Additional improvements were made by the other Italian painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Tintoreto. Their techniques and recipes were kept in secrecy, resulting in supremacy of Italian painters over whole Europe. Rubens added another improvements, ending their supremacy, and giving boost to whole renaissance art. Let us remember, that each technical improvement in paint recipes influenced somewhat the style of each of these great painters, so learning the history of oil painting should not concentrate on techniques or styles alone. Only when we think about them together we can fully understand an art of this time.
Learning history of oil painting is ultimately important for those people who want not only to understand but also to conserve art. Understanding of once-used techniques is crucial to being successful art conservator. Although using modern paint recipes and methods to restore damaged paintings is technically possible, some people declare that it is an act of barbarism and demand using traditional techniques.
Oil painting course
Everyone has some sort of a hobby. Model kit making, playing bingo, bowling or playing pool. Some of us collect stamps while others are attending dancing classes. Sometimes, a hobby concerns playing musical instruments (which can be disastrous for your neighbors, if this person is living in a block of flats). There is another (much more peaceful) possibility -- you can paint with oil paints. But to have any satisfying effect, you should consider attending an oil painting course.
Of course you can ask "why?". Well, try it without any instructions. If you'll succeed, you can call yourself an art genius and you can be sure, that you'll have grate future in the art business. But more probably, after several attempts, you'll feel disappointed and you'll consider watching TV as a better option. To avoid such turn of events, you should try oil painting course.
OK, let's assume, that you're considering taking one. What can you learn? That depends on the course, but you'll probably begin with the basics - rules of composition and the perspective. When you'll master those skills, you'll begin lessons about sketching. All that seems quite a lot. But believe me -- it's only a beginning of a good oil paint course. More advanced students will learn how to apply paint. How to play with shadow and highlights. How to correct mistakes and how to avoid them.
All of this is available in during oil painting course school or in some sort of community center. But what about those people, that cannot afford time, to attend one? Or simply don't have access to any such course? They can of course try books, but a book won't tell them, what they are doing wrong. The alternative is an oil painting online course.
Nowadays, it is technically possible, to paint next to your computer. If such computer is equipped with a video-camera and has access to internet, then your tutor, sitting in his chair on the opposite side of the state, is able to instruct you when you work, not after you've done your "homework".
So, if you are looking for a very special hobby, that will make your friends impressed, you can consider an oil painting course as a tempting option. And don't forget that effects of your work will make a nice (and very special) gift for someone special for you.
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Class Discussions on Traditional Paintings
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