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The New Oil Painting: Your Essential Guide to Materials and Safe Practices

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At a glance

Condition
New
Dimensions
5.05 x 0.85 x 7 in
Weight
12.1 oz
Publisher
Chronicle Books
Publication date
June 15, 2021
Language
English
Print length
232 pages

Description

Here is everything you need to know about getting into oil painting—and maintaining a safe, solvent-free oil painting practice—in a slim, sophisticated guide. Oil painting is an exciting and adventurous medium, but aspiring artists can feel daunted by complex setups and the thought of using harsh chemicals. All of that changes now. The New Oil Painting walks you step- by-step through oil painting fundamentals—which materials you actually need, how to mix paint, how to set up your painting space—and, most revolutionary of all, how to eliminate harmful solvents from your work and replace them with safe, effective substitutes. This instructional handbook is organized into chapters with helpful diagrams throughout illustrating various techniques and tools. Whether you're a true beginner or have been painting with oils for years, you will find that this book has everything you need to build a new, thriving, toxin-free practice. • UNIQUE APPROACH: Not only does this book help aspiring artists build a repertoire of skills and materials, it also offers all artists, regardless of their experience levels, methods for eliminating solvents and other toxic substances from their oil painting practices. What was once a dangerous pastime is now a guilt-free, health-conscious, and rewarding activity. And using safe, nontoxic materials is better for the environment! • LONG-TERM USE: Good art instruction can deliver over a long period of time, and this handy guide is no exception. Along with being able to use this as an entryway into oil painting, you can also use it for reference or reread sections when you need a brushup. • EXPERT AUTHOR WITH IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIALS: Painter Kimberly Brooks was the founding arts editor at Huffington Post. As a painter, she exhibits her work frequently throughout the United States and was a featured artist with the National Endowment for the Arts. She has led oil painting workshops, and now she shares her vast knowledge of the subject in this accessible and comprehensive handbook. Perfect for: • Artists and art aspirants interested in exploring a new medium • Experienced oil painters looking to eliminate solvents from their practices • Painting students and teachers Read more

Specs 8

Publisher Chronicle Books
Publication date June 15, 2021
Language English
Print length 232 pages
ISBN-10 1452184798
ISBN-13 91
Item Weight 12.1 ounces
Dimensions 5.05 x 0.85 x 7 inches

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Top Amazon Reviews


Must Read for Any Oil Painter
Format: Paperback
The New Oil Painting by Kimberly Brooks is a refreshing new look at an historic art form. It is not written by a novice who did some research on the internet or took a painting class in college, but rather a dedicated die-hard with over 25 years experience. Although experienced, don't let that scare you as this book is for both veteran and newbies alike. It begins with the basics of what paint even is, and discusses aspects like it's composition - "pigments," "binders," and "additives." Kimberly provides important history, fundamentals, and even how to read a paint tube, so you know how to buy the right paint and use it correctly. Told you she breaks it down! From there she introduces other topics like mediums, which alter the consistency, drying time, and finish. She provides best practices for using mediums, including how to create your own complex mediums. Told you it's also for experienced painters. The book debunks important misconceptions about oil paining like it requires the use of solvents, which are not good for us. Also, oil paints are generally safe (as long as not ingested) because they don't release harmful fumes or chemicals when drying. Kimberly brings years of research from experts and chemists, investigation of different painters' methods through out history, as well as years of her own experimenting. As you will learn, she has been on a journey of discovery, history, and chemistry and you will gain tremendous insights from that journey. It goes without saying, anytime you're dealing with paint, your dealing with chemicals. Not all chemicals are bad, but they can be, specially in paint. The author provides experienced insight backed by research of the chemicals to avoid like resins and solvents, and healthier and environmentally safer alternatives. All this just skims the surface of what the book covers. You'll also learn about brushes, canvas, other tools, and thinking 3 dimensionally. Suffice to say, this is a great little book on the materials and safe practices of oil painting and definitely a must read for anyone interested in oil painting. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021 by Rischa

Highly Recommended
Format: Paperback
I love this book. It is very well organized, beautifully laid out, and contains a lot of valuable information. It’s also a nice size, small enough to travel with. This book is NOT about technique, art history, composition or “how to make a sunset glow.” It IS about paint, mediums, solvents, brushes, pallets, surfaces, digital technology, non-art supplies that artists use (gloves, artist masking tape, rags, etc.), setting up your workspace, toning your canvas, color mixing rules, cleaning brushes, storing your work, framing and painting the sides, documenting your work, varnishing, etc. —- really practical stuff. And, it features how to use your materials in a way that is non-toxic and safe. I’m really glad I got this book and highly recommend it! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2023 by K

A concise beginners volume for oils
Format: Paperback
This is definitely a book for oil beginners but that said it's a pretty compact and concise overview of materials.. NOTE this is not a book for PAINTING techniques. It's an overview of paint colors and makeups, mediums etc. She gives recommendations about colors, color palettes, mixing, transparencies. There are general brand recommendations split by price for a lot of the materials. Essentially I would say this is a concise takeaway version of the oil materials mini lecture I got from the guy at the arts supply store. The nice thing is this is also a small volume that is about paperback size and fits in your hand so it's good to put in an easel box or a tote if you're a beginner and want some basic guidance to refer to about materials and don't want to haul around a coffee table sized art techniques book.. would prob be good for someone who wants to do plein air or portable painting setups outside of a studio. I thought it was worth the $12 bucks for those reasons The "safety" part of it is a little on the nebulous side (most modern materials are pretty safe as long as you aren't snorting or eating them) and this is definitely not a book on actual painting techniques but as a materials resource guide for beginners I would say it's a good buy ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2023 by Ryan Vincent

A must have resource
Format: Kindle
Move over Ralph Meyers' Handbook of Materials and Techniques! The New Oil Painting is a much needed revisiting of painting studio materials for the Green Age. You can still paint beautifully without damaging your lungs, your skin or the planet. If you have allergic reactions (as I do) to solvents and broadly available oil painting mediums - or if you simply care about our mother earth - you will be so grateful to Kimberly Brooks for putting together this book. Well researched, tested, and easy to read, you will reach for this book to guide you in creating the studio practice you need in order to paint safely and skillfully, with the effects you want. Every artist should have The New Oil Painting on their bookshelf - no, next to their computer for the next time they shop for supplies. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021 by Laura Malone

THIS BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE THIS BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE
Format: Kindle
It's like an art education packed into one little slim volume! I've been painting, with both acrylics and oils, for over 25 years, yet I learned so much. I had abandoned oils because I was tired of living with the smell of turpentine. But it's disappointing to go back to acrylic paint after the richness and nuance of oils! The plastic-like quality of acrylic paint and its super-fast drying time means you don't have time to work--it's already drying before you've even had a chance to think about what you're doing. And it looks more garish and amateurish, to me. I just love oil paint, and this book made it possible for me to embrace it again. Plus, you learn so much about how to set up your workspace, what traits different pigments have and why (I always knew some colors were thinner and some were more opaque than others, but I didn't know why!), what kind of palette to get and how to mix colors on it, and more. The chapters are short and sweet and the illustrations are charming and helpful. The author is a great guide to both beginners and experienced painters. Cannot recommend this book enough. Get it and start painting with OILS! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021 Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021 by Courtney Daniels

A valuable, interesting book worth owning.
Format: Paperback
Excellent, well-organized book on the non-use of solvents, due to their toxic vapors. Many interesting discussions on art materials and preparation, and of varied painting mediums and painting surfaces. I also discusses the qualities of oil paints made by various manufacturers. All-in-all, a valuable book that every artist should read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025 by Toro

What a Relief!
Format: Paperback
We all have our own experiences with oil paint, and for me the downside has always been terpenoids, headaches, and washing my brushes! I SO very much appreciated all the valuable information in this well written and easy book since it makes all the stress and worry go away! Knowing how to work around preconceived conventions makes all the difference in my oil painting experience! Definitely worth having in your studio and for lending to your artist friends. Just make sure you get it back! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2022 by suzizdashiz

This is a Godsend!
Format: Paperback
This is a really great resource! I have wanted to get into oils forever, but have been overwhelmed by the thoughts of having to ventilate, be careful of combustible solvents, and just my overall health. This helps in so many ways. It has great visuals and work around to create beautiful work without the scary problems of oils. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025 by Melissa D
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