Oil painting for beginners

[Morgan_s]

Does anyone do this?
I'm interested in starting and wander how much would a cheap setup be?

[boxtops]

Not more than twenty quid, but I can't stand the smell http://www.ebay.co.uk...at=See-All-Categories

[cazzz1975]

it varies wildly, you could pay upto 100 pounds to get set up or as little as 30 pounds

http://www.amazon.co....ef=pd_sl_36po2dji4q_b

http://www.amazon.co....Ck%3Aoil+paint+canvas

[Morgan_s]

Thanks, can you get away with a cheap set of paints or do you get what you pay for in the "Oil painting world"?
I do know that the paper can be expensive dependant on the quality.

[cazzz1975]

if you are only starting, its not necessary to buy the highest quality canvas or paint, even some of the cheaper stuff is very good.

once you become more experienced you can look for better quality stuff.

[boxtops]

You'd be better off joining an evening class at Adult Education, they will tell you all that you need, techniques, paper, quality of paint, how to start, etc.

[DTCwordfan]

Agree with boxtops ^

[Morgan_s]

Thanks cazzz1974.
Boxtops that's the perfect idea and i will definitely be looking into this next week.

[Morgan_s]

Sweet talking? No it's merely gratitude, something this world unfortunatley is lacking and needs more of.

[cazzz1975]

1974 was a good year :)

[Morgan_s]

Oh i get it now.
I made a mistake with the year, good eyesight spacecadet!

[cazzz1975]

thats okay morgan, that sort of thing has no effect on me :)

[rowanwitch]

don't buy the cheapest paints but something aimed at students... canvasses try somewhere like wilkinsons or even the local discount shops but buy decent brushes.... and look after them... a mixture of bristle flats, and good quality synthetics... also a palette knife or two...

Daft as it sounds try a paint by numbers first it will give you a feel for how the paint handles and also you will find out if the smell affects you... I can't paint in oils as it gives me a really sick headache

[ethandron]

have you considered acrylics as a start morgan? they're a little easier to work with for a beginner and have the huge advantage of not smelling or needing special stuff to clean the brushes, just water. they dry very quickly too, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.
'the works' chain of shops have art materials at very reasonable prices.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't believe one's first attempts at developing technique & skills requires expensive paints. Jus get a few cheap ones and enjoy. Don't expect brilliance at first, like everything else you do it for the fun, and get good (hopefully) as time goes by.

That is yet another thing I'd like to take up again. Not sure why I don't make a list and start off some things.

[ethandron]

no time like the present old geezer :)