When using an oil brush to create a hyper-realistic style, one needs to master a series of meticulous techniques and steps to ensure that the work achieves a highly realistic effect. Here are some key usage tips:
First, the preparation stage
Choose the appropriate canvas and paint
Choose high-quality linen or cotton fabric as the canvas. They have good oil absorption and extensibility, making them suitable for creating hyper-realistic works.
Use high-quality oil paints to ensure bright, long-lasting colors that are easy to mix and blend.
Prepare painting tools
Choose oil painting brushes of different sizes and shapes, including flat brushes, round-headed brushes, fan-shaped brushes, etc., to meet different painting needs.
Prepare auxiliary tools such as a color palette, toner, turpentine, and a scraper.
Make the canvas base material
Apply the base material on the canvas to make it smooth, even and meet the requirements of painting. The base material can be either acrylic base material or oil painting base material, and its thickness can be adjusted as needed.
When applying the base material, follow the texture of the fabric. Generally, after brushing horizontally for one coat, brush vertically for the second coat, and then brush in the opposite direction. After each coat of base material is applied, use sandpaper to sand until the surface of the canvas is smooth and flat.
Second, the drawing process
Take shape
Use a pencil or light-colored oil paint to gently outline the outline and general shape of the object on the canvas.
When shaping, be accurate and meticulous, and try to make every step perfect to lay a solid foundation for the subsequent painting.
Lay out large color blocks
Based on the color and light and shade relationship of the object, quickly apply large color blocks using a large oil painting brush.
Pay attention to the color matching and transition to make the overall tone of the picture harmonious and unified.
Detailed depiction
Use a small oil painting brush to meticulously depict the details of the object.
Pay attention to presenting the texture, grain and light and shadow effects of the objects. For instance, when drawing the skin, the rubbing technique can be used to handle smooth skin. When drawing rough objects, a scraper can be used to create a certain texture effect.
When depicting details, one should maintain patience and meticulousness, gradually delve deeper, and avoid depicting too deeply at one time, which may make it impossible to modify.
Color adjustment
During the painting process, one should constantly observe the overall effect and adjust and correct the colors.
You can use tinting oil or turpentine to dilute the pigments, making the colors more transparent and natural.
When adjusting the colors, it is important to maintain the overall tone and the relationship between light and shade of the picture.
The color is restored by the shading method
When the painting is nearly completed, the shading method can be used to restore and enhance the color effect of the picture.
The overlay dyeing method refers to applying a thin layer of transparent or semi-transparent pigment on the already dried pigment layer, making the colors in the picture more rich and soft.
Third, post-processing
Check the screen
After the painting is completed, carefully inspect the picture to ensure there are no overlooked details or areas that need correction.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the overall tone, light and shade relationship, texture expression, etc. of the picture, and make minor adjustments when necessary.
Varnish protection
To protect the picture and prevent the paint from fading and cracking, a layer of varnish can be applied after the picture dries.
Choose the appropriate type and brand of varnish for your oil painting and apply and protect it as per the instructions.
Fourth, other matters needing attention
Keep the picture tidy
During the painting process, it is important to keep the picture clean and orderly. Avoid splashing paint outside the picture or dirtying the canvas.
When using a color palette, it is necessary to arrange the placement of pigments reasonably to avoid confusion and waste.
Arrange time reasonably
Hyper-realistic style works usually require a relatively long painting time. It is necessary to arrange the painting progress and time allocation reasonably to avoid excessive fatigue and being overly eager for quick success.
During the process of painting, one can take appropriate breaks and adjust their mindset to maintain the enthusiasm and motivation for creation.
Keep learning and practicing
Hyper-realistic works have high requirements for painting skills and artistic cultivation. One should constantly learn and practice new painting techniques and theoretical knowledge to improve one’s painting skills.
You can visit art galleries, museums and other art venues to appreciate and study excellent hyper-realistic works, and draw inspiration and experience from them.