Starting out with oils

[Eludia]

Hi Guys,

I'm just starting out and I'm getting some kit together before starting my first project. I am going to try using oils for the first time and after reading through some posts on this site (and others) my starter palette will be:

Titanium White
Lamp Black
Cadmium Yellow Light
Burnt Umber
Yellow Ochre
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
French Ultramarine

All from W&N Artisan range (to start with), I may "upgrade" to proper oils at a later date. I am a complete novice so any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Any deletions/additions to this list that you would recommend?

Cheers,
Billy

 

[Eludia]

I should add that the main subjects that interest me at the minute are fantasy/sc-fi and other "non historic" stuff. I would like to have a free rein when choosing colours etc. and not having to worry about getting the correct shade of grey or green or anything like that.

Cheers,
Billy

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Hi Billy,
A very good first mix,.. However, 'Burnt Sienna', and 'Raw Umber', and maybe, 'Cadmium Red', are worth considering adding to your initial palette! as these seem to be the backbone, of most oilers! ... but a good palette, so far!

Regards,

Mark

 

[billyturnip]

Looks good Billy. I also use Artisan paints and would suggest adding Naples Yellow to your list. I prefer Cobalt Blue to French Ultramarine but that could be down to personal taste.

Roger.

 

[megroot]

Looking good.
I should avoid Black. You can always mix your black. I use for instance indigo and raw umber for black.
It is easy to highlight. And further darker then black you can't go.
And a furhter addition to your palette is indeed Naples Yellow, Cadmium Red, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Green, Mars Brown, Mars Orange (both are great for leather painting) Sepia,
I use these colors alot.

Marc

 

[JonP]

I would suggest a bright red such as Winsor Red or Scarlet Lake and definately Naples Yellow; it's great for highlighting.

 

[Eludia]

Thanks for the help so far guys, the list is already getting quite long

 

[polyphemus]

Recommended from the classic Building and Painting Scale Figures book by Shep Paine;

Chrome Yellow, Winsor Blue, Bright Red, Titanium White, Blue black, Gold Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Permanent Magenta, and Cadmium Scarlet.

Gold Ochre is recommended instead of Yellow Ochre as the latter tends to gray out mixes eg. skintones. Magenta is included as it is very difficult to mix decent violets/purples/crimsons.

Geoff

 

[billyturnip]

Some good recommendations fellas but remember Billy is using the Artisan range and not all the suggestions are available... some not even close. This is a problem I encountered but now look upon it as a blessing in disguise because it means I saved money, don't have of tubes that I use only rarely and have to give more consideration to mixing my own colours.

Roger.

 

[Gary D]

A very well known assortment for flesh mixes consists of:
Titanium White
Burnt Sienna
Ochre: Yellow or Gold. Gold has more black in it.
Also, for final touches:
Raw Umber (for deep shadows in eye sockets, along the nose ridgeline, outlining hairline and accessories)
Venetian Red (for cheeks, noses,lips, and a final wash)

These are the ones I've been using for years and are based on Shep Paines books.

Gary

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Billy! ... list them all down! .. and then pick the ones that come up regularly! by putting a tick, next to them .. Saves you going, 'Ga-Ga',! with decisions and money!

Mark

 

[Eludia]

Cheers Mark, thats exactly what I'm doing. I am trying to limit my palette to start with so that I can get used to mixing colours, not to mention the cost. The last thing I want to do is spend a fortune on paints to realise that oils are not for me after all.

I picked up a cheap starter set with 10ml tubes, made by Reeves i think so I'm not expecting great things from them. My plan is just to squeeze a few blobs onto a tile and play about with mixes for now before getting some decent paints to use on my first proper project

many thanks,
Billy

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Cheers Mark, thats exactly what I'm doing. I am trying to limit my palette to start with so that I can get used to mixing colours, not to mention the cost. The last thing I want to do is spend a fortune on paints to realise that oils are not for me after all.
My plan is just to squeeze a few blobs onto a tile!

I would initially forget, the 'Tile', idea! .. that is for, 'Artists who use canvas', which soaks the oil! .. ... Blob! some onto a piece of card (non shiny) i.e. an index card! .. and leave them for 30mins +, ! before use! it takes out the excess oil, and is much more manageable, and improves drying time!.. the results are just the same.

Mark

 

[billyturnip]

I use the card method as described by Mark and then transfer the paint to a tile for mixing.

Roger.

 

[Richie]

Hi Billy,
I'm no expert and I am just setting off with oils too. You have received some really good advice above, I would also say because you are doing sci-fi/fantasy which I like to see but would not have the imagination for, this will ultimately determine your colour palette/choice. It might be worth viewing a couple of things like this;
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/mixing-greens.58674/

It's simple but effectively shows just what you can do with a few colours and the same could be done for reds, blues etc. As Mark said pick the common colours that you need everything else can be mixed.

I have used a few oils, plus water based ones and I get pretty good results, like you I don't want to lash out until I no that is the way to go.

Good luck, look forward to seeing your work in the future
cheers
Richie

 

[brian]

Some sound advice has been given,but always remember and enjoy painting with oils .Just use the colours you have and muck about with different mixes and then you can gradually add to more paints as you go along.I'm not 100%sure on this but I think Shep Paine reckoned you only need 5 oil paint colours to paint anything.Maybe somebody can enlighten me if i'm wrong.
Brian

 

[Eludia]

Many thanks for the advice guys. I'll probably stick more or less with my original palette for now and slowly add your suggestions over time. Naples Yellow has come up a few times so that will most likely be the first addition.



Billy