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"Rather than using a palette, hold the paint itself and apply the color directly to the screen." I think there are many people who want to use paint in a more intuitive way.
Vibrant and transparent color, glossy texture, and heavy matiere. The richness of expressive power that oil paints have is a big attraction, but to fully bring out that ability, you need specialized tools and knowledge. The "Oil Stick" from Sennelier, a long-established French art supply manufacturer, has achieved the intuitive feel of painting while retaining the charm of oil painting.
Oil sticks are an art material that provides an entryway to new expressions, from those who are trying oil paint for the first time to artists who want to incorporate mixed media. In this article, we will explain the basic information you need to know, such as how to use and maintain oil sticks.
Check out this article to learn more about mixed media and how it differs from traditional oil paints and oil pastels.
Table of contents
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How to use: Enjoy painting directly or with a brush |
Features of oil stick
Oil sticks are "solid oil paints" made by kneading high-quality pigments with safflower oil and mineral wax that do not cause yellowing.
Not only can you hold it in your hand to leave bold and intuitive strokes on the screen without using a brush or palette, but it also has the vivid color and profound feeling that is unique to oil painting. As a coloring material that combines the improvisational nature of drawing with the depth of oil painting, it will greatly expand the range of your creativity.
It also has a high affinity with base materials and techniques that can be used with traditional oil paints.
For example, it is possible to paint directly over dried oil or acrylic paint matière, or to layer it with a brush or palette knife. The ``scratch technique'' involves scraping away the paint on the surface to reveal the underlying color, the blending of colors on the screen, and the plasticity of paint, which leaves traces of the raised marks of a painting knife or brush intact, which is one of the major characteristics of paint.
Furthermore, transparency and gloss can be adjusted as desired by diluting with volatile oils such as turpentine or by using painting solutions (painting oils, drying oils).
At PIGMENT TOKYO, we carry the ``Introductory 6-color Set,'' which has highly versatile colors, and the ``Fluorescent & Metallic 6-color Set,'' which has gorgeous color variations. It is also recommended for those who want to try using it for a unique color mixture or accent color, or for those who are making their debut with oil paint using oil sticks.
How to use: Enjoy painting directly or with a brush
We will show you how to use oil sticks to enjoy basic techniques common to oil paintings, such as drawing directly on the screen, mixing colors, and using gradations.
Variations in how to paint
Samples of various techniques such as direct painting, strokes with a brush, impasto with a painting knife, and gradations diluted with turpentine. It is possible to create a wide range of expressions, such as the rich texture created by thick coating and the difference in transparency caused by dilution.
Line drawing: intuitive strokes
The dynamic and powerful strokes unique to stick-shaped solid paints bring a sense of speed and intuitive expression to your works. In addition to being able to draw directly on the screen as if you were using a crayon, you can also use a painting knife to create edges (corners) to create more expressive lines.
Also, since the drawing taste and hardness vary depending on the color (pigment), one of the features is the unique touch that changes with each color. Of course, if you use it on a palette, you can use it in the same way as traditional oil paints, so it is also effective to use a brush for color mixing and detailed drawings.
Color Mixing/Gradation
In addition to using the palette, you can also mix colors directly on the screen. You can enjoy intuitive blending by blending the colors drawn with an oil stick with your fingers or cloth, or using a painting knife or brush.
Color mixing on screen
The image above is an example of color mixing by direct painting, the "wet-on-wet" technique of painting over colors before they dry, and gradation created by rubbing. The color and expression can change dramatically by using different tools and applying layers.
Mixing colors on the palette
This is a sample of oil sticks mixed on a palette.
Adding a small amount of fluorescent pink to the dark color of silver instantly gave it a brighter look. It creates a unique, nuanced pink color while retaining the unique metallic shine.
On the other hand, when primary blue was mixed with fluorescent yellow, the original fluorescent effect subsided and a bright green color was created. By deliberately incorporating fluorescent colors and metallic colors into the color mixture, you can enjoy deep tones that are a little different from commercially available paints.
Layering
This is a "wet-on-dry" technique in which a new color is placed on top of a dry color layer. Since colors do not mix on the screen, it is possible to create expressions that take advantage of the underlying colors.
In particular, layering transparent colors creates depth through visual color mixing effects. By adjusting the transparency with turpentine, etc., you can obtain overlapping colors that resonate.
Glazing
This is a technique of applying thin layers of transparent or translucent paint, allowing the underlying layers to show through, giving the color depth. It has been widely used in many classic masterpieces.
By adjusting the transparency by dissolving the oil stick in turpentine oil or painting fluid on the palette, you can create the "texture that seems to contain light" that is unique to glazing, as well as the glossy shadows that are unique to oil painting.
*"Turpentine" "Oil Paint Stripe Clear Box Set No.5"
We are unable to ship overseas or by airmail. Thank you for your understanding.
"Oil Paint Stripe Clear Box Set No. 5" is a set that includes all the tools necessary for production, including paste-type (tube) oil paints, various knives, oil paint brushes, painting solutions, and paper palettes. You can start creating as soon as you receive it without having to worry about choosing tools, so it is recommended for people who want to start oil painting or as a gift.
For basic information on brushes and brushes and how to choose them, please refer to this article.
Base material
Oil sticks can be used on a wide variety of materials as long as they are prepared with a suitable base for oil paints. Primer treatment not only suppresses excessive absorption of oil into the base material, but also has the effect of increasing color development and fixing power. Additionally, by freely arranging colors and textures using glue, oil ground, acrylic gesso, etc., you can further expand your range of expression.
Examples of usable base materials
・Canvas/wood board
・Metal: Color Titanium Panelsetc.
・Synthetic paper: Unipaper/Paper suitable for oil painting such as Yupo paper
・Paper: Thick paper (illustration board, watercolor paper, cardboard)/Japanese paper, etc.
*If it is thin, it will be easier to draw by attaching a panel.
*When using unprocessed materials, please apply a primer suitable for each base material.
*Before full-scale production, we recommend creating a test piece (trial painting) to confirm fixation and color development.
*This product cannot be shipped overseas. Thank you for your understanding.
Primer
Select a primer suitable for oil paints depending on the type of base material.
A smooth base will create smooth lines, while a rough base will create a faded look. Why not explore your own painting texture by preparing colors and textures in advance, such as a ``color base'' made by adding color to acrylic gesso, or a ``smooth matiere'' made by polishing true gesso.
*"Gesso S" cannot be shipped overseas. Thank you for your understanding.
This related article explains the groundwork for paintings and how to attach canvas panels.
Drying period/finishing
Oil stick drying period
[Estimated drying period]
Dry to the touch (surface): Approximately 2 to 5 days
Complete drying: 6 months or more
Screen painted thickly with oil stick
The drying time for oil paints, including oil sticks, varies greatly depending on the thickness of the paint and the surrounding environment.
The image above is a sample with oil stick applied to it so that the thickest part is about 3mm thick. Even after 30 days have passed, there is only a film on the surface, but the inside is soft, and if it is thickly applied, it will take a long time to harden (completely dry).
To speed up the drying process, store in a well-ventilated place or use a medium or painting solution containing a drying accelerator.
finishing
Although it is possible to complete the work with just an oil stick, after it has completely dried, applying an oil painting varnish (varnish) as a finishing touch will have the effect of both "protecting" and "presenting" the work.
Protection: Prevents fading due to UV rays and lighting, adhesion of dust and dirt, and wear due to friction.
Qualification effect: Adjusts the image to your desired texture, such as gloss (shiny) or matte (matte), giving a sense of unity to the screen.
*Dammar Banis cannot be shipped overseas or by airmail. Thank you for your understanding.
Points to note when using
Maintenance before and after use (removal and prevention of surface film)
Drying oil, the main component of oil paint, has the property of solidifying when it reacts with oxygen (oxidative polymerization). Therefore, a protective film (film) will form on the surface of the oil stick if it is not used for several days.
When you first start using it or if a film has formed again, be sure to remove it before use.
Film on the surface of the oil stick: A film is formed where the surface is glossy.
How to remove the film/before use
By scraping the surface thinly with a knife or cutter, you can restore the smooth drawing quality.
Preventing film/after use
To prevent the oil stick from drying out (oxidative polymerization), wrap it tightly in cling film (such as food-grade plastic wrap) to prevent it from coming into contact with air before storing it.
[When used without removing the membrane]
If the paint is covered with a film when drawing directly, the color will not be applied to the screen and the original smooth drawing quality of the oil stick will be lost.
Also, when painting with a knife or brush, the peeled film will mix into the paint as lumps (grains), causing damage to the surface of the painting.
Thickness when applying paint
Thickness: Recommended within 1 mm
*If you want to make it thicker, wait for the bottom layer to dry before applying another layer.
You can increase the thickness of the oil stick by applying more layers after the bottom layer has dried, but be careful not to apply too much at once, as the surface will oxidize and polymerize first, and the difference in shrinkage from the inside may cause peeling or cracking.
[About oxidative polymerization reaction]
Oil paint hardens slowly over time due to an oxidative polymerization reaction in which oxygen in the air and oil combine.
Like traditional oil paints, oil sticks harden slowly through this oxidative polymerization process, allowing them to firmly adhere to substrates with a suitable base coat.
Comparison of drying characteristics between water-based and oil-based paints
|
oil paint/oil stick |
Watercolor paints/acrylic paints |
|
|
Drying mechanism |
Oxidative polymerization of oil (reaction with oxygen) |
moisture evaporation |
|
change in volume |
almost no decrease |
greatly reduced |
|
Condition after drying |
solidifies while rising |
The thickness will be thinner than when you applied it. |
After production: How to wash brushes/work environment
How to wash oil paint brushes
1. [Wipe] Wipe off the paint thoroughly with paper or cloth. (It's even better if you pre-wash with a solvent.)
2. [Washing] Apply oil paint brush cleaner or dish detergent and use your palm to push out dirt from the roots of the hairs.
3. [Rinse] Rinse carefully with lukewarm water until the bubbles and slime disappear.
4. [Dry] Wipe off the moisture and dry it horizontally (or hang) in the shade.
*Cleaning the roots of the hairs: If you do not remove all the paint from the roots in step 2, it may cause the brush to harden or become damaged.
*Direction when drying: If you dry the brush in an upright position, the metal fittings on the tip of the brush may corrode.
Working environment
Please ventilate the area during and after work.
Clothing
Oil paint is very difficult to remove if it gets on your clothes, so we recommend wearing clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, such as work clothes or an apron.
Also, the oil stick becomes soft during use and tends to stick to your hands, so if you are concerned about getting it dirty, please prepare rubber gloves.
[If it gets on your clothes]
Before the paint dries, wash it with a mild detergent and warm water. *It will not come off when it dries.
The biggest appeal of oil sticks is that you can directly project the beauty of color onto the screen without having to use difficult tools or preparations.
Once you have mastered the basic usage, let's expand your range of expression.
This article explains in detail the differences between traditional oil paints and oil pastels, as well as the "mixed media" technique of combining different materials.
About Sennelier
Sennelier is an art supplies manufacturer founded in Paris, France in 1887.
Pigments and paints have long been used by many famous painters, including Picasso, Cézanne, and Pissarro. Known for producing high-quality art materials, the company continues to receive high praise from artists around the world.
Reference materials
Sennelier (Language English/French / German / Spanish)
Oil Stick Colors in the Hand
Oil PastelOil pastels
Holbein Art Materials Co., Ltd.
Anatomy of color materials ③ Gesso base for oil paintings
Editor & Writer
Natsuko Shiraishi
Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.
Favorite matière: Paper, dynamic moves of wood fiber
Graduated from the Textile Design at Tama Art University. She is an artist who mainly works with original Washi paper and calligraphy.
Favorite matière: Paper, dynamic moves of wood fiber