In this tutorial I am going to show the techniques I am using to create impressionistic floral painting in oil. First of all you will need to prepare the brushes, turpentine (sometimes called white spirit, that cleanes the brushes, othervise they will be ruined at the end of painting), leensid oil also called the thinner, to thin the paints.
The reference photograph is being taken from my back garden, I was so charmed by it that wanted to commit it to canvas there and then. If you use photographs try to keep them in the same line of vision with your canvas, this will help avoid drawing misproportioned objects.
On the left is shown a rough outline of the roses, to fit the canvas and find the right position for the objects. At this point you can correct any mistakes you've made with eraser so it is ready to paint.
Start with the stems, mixing aquamarine with yellow lemon that will give you naturally looking green of the foliage.
Roughly follow the drawn shapes of the flowers. Where the leaves picke the sun, add some more yellow lemon. Then start outlining the basic shapes of the stems amd petals. Leaving the details for later, when you will have a better view of what needs correction/more emphasis.
In order to create some bold tones, impasto as it is called, I used pallette knive. Use the pallette knive as if you were using a brush and apply paint with it, leaving bold colour on the canvas. As it is shown on the picture below. This stage is important as it is about mixing and applying colour on the canvas and experimenting. Don't be afraid to experiment !
If an accident happens simply wipe it off with kitchen towel while the paint is still wet. Start working with smaller detail, softening rough areas with dry brush.
Finally, use small brush to redefine small detail such as shadows on the petals, since roses have lots of petals, this painting is being painted in impressionistic style, which is the impression of an artist of the painting.
At last, start working out the background - the fence behind the roses, not forgeting to give it realistic look of wood, by applying different coulours such as raw sienna and burnt umber.
Below is the finished image of the painting. I hope you enjoyed this small tutorial on how to paint in oils. Why not give it a go and paint it yourself !
