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, solvent-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
The New Oil Painting is a tutorial and instruction guide to safe and sustainable oil painting and studio practice by Kimberly Brooks. Due out 18th May 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well written, layman accessible, clear and easy to understand treatise on studio safety, practice, and supplies for oil painting. I work in a medical lab around all kinds of caustic chemicals and solvents and lab safety is always a very high priority. It's amazing how many hobbyists and artists don't take chemical safety and waste disposal seriously.
The book has a logical layout, the introduction (how and why the information included is relevant and what to do about it) is followed by two main sections: first workspace and materials considerations, and the second covers techniques including some relevant tutorials on preparing canvases, laying down ground, and color mixing which will be learning opportunities for artists at all levels of experience. The author's voice throughout is calm and knowledgeable but not pedantic or preachy. She also includes commentary on her own working style and tips along the way (as well as some truly sobering cautionary commentary on the potential toxicity of traditional materials and solvents which she experienced for herself).
Five stars. This would make a great choice for library acquisition, maker's spaces, home and school studios and the like.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
