Using oil sticks on canvas involves applying the oil paint directly like a crayon and then manipulating it to achieve the desired effect.
Here's a breakdown of how to effectively use oil sticks on canvas:
1. Surface Preparation:
- While oil sticks can be used on various surfaces, canvas is a common and suitable choice.
- Consider priming the canvas with gesso to provide a good surface for the oil paint to adhere to. This creates a slightly textured surface and prevents the oil paint from soaking into the canvas.
2. Drawing/Sketching (Optional):
- You can create a preliminary drawing on the canvas with charcoal or a light pencil. This helps guide the application of the oil sticks.
3. Application:
- Remove the protective skin from the oil stick before use.
- Apply the oil stick directly to the canvas, using it like a crayon. You can apply varying amounts of pressure to create different line weights and textures.
- For large areas, you can "scrub" in the color. This means applying the color liberally across the area.
4. Manipulation:
- Blending: Use brushes, palette knives, or even your fingers (with appropriate safety precautions) to blend the oil stick pigment.
- Solvent: Use a solvent like odorless mineral spirits or turpentine to thin the oil paint and create washes or glazes. Apply the solvent with a brush to move and blend the color.
- Layering: Oil sticks can be layered to create depth and dimension. Let the first layer dry partially before applying subsequent layers.
5. Techniques:
- Impasto: Apply thick layers of oil stick for a textured, impasto effect.
- Dry Brushing: Use a dry brush to lightly blend or lift color, creating a textured, broken effect.
- Scumbling: Use a dry brush with minimal paint to lightly scrub color over the canvas, creating a textured effect.
6. Drying and Varnishing:
- Oil paint dries slowly. Allow the oil stick painting to dry completely before varnishing. Drying times can vary based on the thickness of the paint and the environmental conditions.
- Varnishing protects the painting from dust and UV damage and also saturates the colors, bringing out their vibrancy. Apply varnish after the painting is thoroughly dry (typically several months).
In summary, using oil sticks on canvas involves applying the paint directly, manipulating it with brushes and solvents, and layering for depth. Proper preparation and finishing are also key to a successful outcome.
