Rediscovering Painting

Yes, dear. We had an art studio in the greenhouse. Including a kiln and foundry. Our tutor lived in, and all the instruction was in Italian. I’ve always felt like not being able to develop artistically in Italian is like not having books in your house. What do you think?

Yes, and finding the right medium is important. I usually found myself impatient with painting, but finally felt liberated when I was introduced to oil pastels.

I wanted to get into painting but I was so put off by the chemicals and how bad it is for the planet. What is going to happen to all the toxic paintings I produce after I die? These things aren't going to hang in the Louvre. Plus the danger of oil paints catching fire in your house is really a little too much for me. It seems like something people need to find a green alternative to or else stop doing it.

^^^ I mean the turpentine or whatever that stuff is catching fire.

Plus the smell, r3 r4. It gives me a migraine.

I've been painting abstracts and learning Italian this year. I'd already begun pre-pandemic, but now I don't have to go out at all if I don't want to. Class is remote, and that's nice. I'm trying to enjoy what there is to enjoy of this period. I hope I'm not dipingo-ing and Italian-ing while Rome burns, but there's no way to know the future.

The chance of artist oil colors catching fire is very low. It's the turpentine and the linseed oil that you have to be concerned with. The former, as opposed to the latter, if kept in tightly closed containers doesn't pose a high risk. However, linseed oil, which I use to thin my paints, will build up on rags or paper towels when I wipe my brushes. From what I've learned, it has a low combustion point because it heats up as it dries. So if I were to let rags of the stuff sit around in my studio in a pile, it would be a major spontaneous combustion fire hazard.

To prevent this, I spray the dirty rags heavily with water and put them in a bag and then dump them outside in the trash when I'm done for the day. As far as air toxicity goes from the turpentine vapors, I have a reversible double fan in the window to draw out the air while i paint.

I’m not even bothering with oils these days. If you take time to do a good underpainting, and build up layers, acrylics produce wonderful results. Doesn’t work so well with 1-2 layers on white canvas. Working on a landscape with some semi nude figures, and really happy with the depth I’m getting.

[quote]If you take time to do a good underpainting, and build up layers, acrylics produce wonderful results. Doesn’t work so well with 1-2 layers on white canvas.

I'm just starting, r7, and have no classes, no teacher. With what should I underpaint? I want a white background, onto which I pour other colors.

Do some internet research, there are many videos and opinions on the subject.

Not all types of art painting are flammable in the way oil painting can be (which isn't very risky). I like the smell of linseed oil, but I understand if people find it objectionable (turpentine, too). But watercolor and acrylic paints produce little or no smell, and have risks with flammability that I'm aware of. To be honest, I had an ambition to master watercolors, but was never pleased with the results. Oil painting made me too impatient, while I sometimes felt that acrylic paint dried too quickly. That's why I've concentrated on oil pastels, since the timing doesn't seem to be an issue the way it can be with paints. And, since I was already drawing with pencils and charcoal, oil pastels didn't require a huge change in technique for me.

Regardless of the medium, I think it's important for most of us to have some sort of artistic expression, even if it's those senior crayon coloring books that have become so popular. My Mom did all sorts of needlework: quilting, crocheting, re-upholstery, as her artistic outlet once she lost interest in oil painting.

I’ve picked up my brush again and am putting my talents to work to help restore some faded paintings around Spain. It’s been very rewarding.