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ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS
oRIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS
TECHNIQUE
Painting landscapes, coastline and skies can be achieved in a range of artist’s mediums; watercolour, acrylic, oil paints, pastels, etc.
I learned the techniques of traditional oil painting from my father, Fred Adams, an accomplished artist and art expert. From the age of ten years old I began to learn about the methods of the Old Masters and today I very much follow this school of art.
The traditional techniques of oil painting vary dependent upon the school or method. In the classical school oil paintings are built up in several layers.
The canvas is properly prepared and each layer is subsequently added. Some layers are allowed to dry fully before the next is applied. At other times the layers are subtly combined as the paint is worked ‘wet-in-wet’.
WHY OIL PAINTS?
Oil paints are used because of the specific characteristics they have. The pigments (that produce the actual colour) are combined with oil, often linseed oil but also safflower oil, walnut oil, etc.
Oil paints also produce some of the deepest and richest colours, from deep darks, through subtle greys, to intense and vibrant highlights. Colours are dependent upon the quality of the pigments used. I normally work with with oil paints from Winsor & Newton (Artist Grade) and Sennelier of Paris (Superior Grade).
This paint is then mixed further with other mediums and materials, such as Damar varnish, various resins, some to extend the paint, some to speed up the drying time. Sometimes very thin layers of transparent paint are applied, known as glazing. This allows colours beneath to show through and create depth.
Opaque paint can be added on top of this (dried) layer, a technique known as scumbling. The techniques of glazing and scumbling were used by many great and Old Masters, and in particular Turner was known for this style of oil painting.
Oil paint is a chosen medium for artists seeking the finest tonal gradation. Allowing us to blend one tonal value, and colour, into another. Producing the finest tones possible.
Painting in oils also produces a strong tonal range, with the darkest darks through to the brilliant highlights. And oil painting is often created from dark-to-light, the opposite to watercolour painting, where the paper produces the lights and darks are added successively.
Oil paints are also one of the most robust forms of art medium. Oil paints dry through a process of oxidisation (not evaporation, as is often thought). This means layers of paint can form a strong and long-lasting surface.
With care and common sense an oil painting can last for many years and certainly outlive the artist and owner.
oil painting materials
COLOURS & PRESERVATION
Very few colours are truly 100% colour light-fast. However oil paints are very effective at retaining their original colours.
Modern pigments and oil paints are far more stable and superior to those used by the Old Masters, many of whose paintings still survive today, some several hundreds of years old.
The final layer applied is often the varnish. Although today, with less air pollution and better materials, some artists choose not to varnish. I prefer not to varnish my paintings. This avoids issues with glare and reflection, often created by stronger household lighting.
CANVASES
The vast majority of my artworks are produced on stretched canvas. With smaller pieced on canvas panels. Stretched canvas is presented on a wooden frame – the stretcher – with the canvas material stretched across the frame and tacked or stapled at the rear.
The canvas is normally cotton, linen or even hemp. I do not use nylon or other synthetic ‘canvases’. This material has then been sized – a coat of sealant or glue is used to prepare the material for the next layer. Gesso is a white medium similar to Plaster-of-Paris but more flexible. This can be built up in several layers.
The thickness of the gesso layers determine how smooth the canvas surface will be. For example, in fine portrait painting the artist needs a very smooth surface. It is said that painting on polished copper creates the finest portraits!
However, as with many artists, I like to paint with the ‘tooth’ of the canvas and use this to create texture and accent highlights. Close up images show how the tooth brings out this effect.
Most of my oil paintings are produced on proprietary canvases. As with the other materials I use, I only choose quality canvases with solid stretchers. For commissioned works I can offer paintings on handmade canvases to (almost) any size. These can be produced in the finest quality Irish Linen.
FRAMING
My oil paintings are offered, and priced to include framing if shown and listed. Frames can obviously be substituted. I do undertake (or arrange) framing at the client’s request and can discuss personal choice, the planned setting for the work, and advise on a wide range of framing options and costs.
Some paintings are produced on deep-edge canvases, or box-framed. These are suitable for hanging without framing. Normally the edges are left white but these can be painted black, or even gold or copper. This creates a stunning and contemporary visual effect.
Frames can be traditional or contemporary and are totally a matter of personal choice – a frame should always be matched to the painting. Frames can also include a ‘reveal’, which is a small space between the canvas and the frame, giving the impression that the artwork is floating in the frame.
It is not necessary to use glass when framing oil paintings and generally I would not recommend this, unless for very special reasons.
More information about Buying Artwork
Some Notes On Buying Art For Sale
Original Oil Paintings are just that; they are my original works and created from personal references, sketches, memories and my imagination.
As an original piece of work there is of course only one. Some original paintings are also recreated as Limited Edition Prints.
I welcome local, national and international buyers and collectors. Shipping costs for artworks will vary dependent upon size, weight, framed/unframed, destination, value, etc.
For this reason all packing and shipping costs are calculated individually. You will be advised of this when you reserve your order.
As you browse the Portfolio you may find pieces that you are interested in. The description will list if the piece is available for sale. Pieces NOT available will be listed as Sold, Reserved or NFS (Not For Sale).
All artworks are priced but these are not published on this site. To find out about prices please use the Reserve Or Request Form Here.
Whilst I make every attempt to keep this stock list up-to-date, please note some pieces may be reserved before the website is updated.
Once you have found a piece you would like to enquire about please contact me here, by email, message, or by calling me direct. If available I can the reserve the piece for you and agree a purchase order.
Please note, artworks can be reserved for up to a total of 14 days without payment. Then your purchase should be completed. If you change your mind the piece will be unreserved and return to the stock list.
Payments are accepted through PayPal or Direct Bank Transfer only. A full purchase receipt will be provided. Please check on any additional taxes that may be applicable in your country if importing.
With every purchase I include a 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If, for any reason, you decide not to keep the artwork you may return it for a full refund. Please note; you are responsible for returning the artwork in the same condition it was dispatched and all costs for shipping and insuring – please see full Terms & Conditions here.
Art For Hire
Instead of art for sale, you may decide that you would like to hire or rent my original artwork. This service is normally provided to companies, organisations and charities. Private Art Hire can also be arranged.
Renting artwork is nothing new. Professional artists often rent artworks, especially large and more valuable pieces. They may be used for commercial display, such as office, reception, hotel rooms, etc. Interior Designers and decorators may also rent original art.
Art for hire contracts can be agreed for a range of periods, from just a few weeks up to a year. This is ideal if you simply want to try out a painting in a particular setting. If you then decide that you would like to then purchase the piece the rental costs paid can be partially used towards the purchase price.
Please note; Art for Hire is subject to approval and only applies to Original Oil Paintings, not Limited Edition Prints.
Contact me personally to discuss your needs and interests.