Modern Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide

Published in Russian by EKSMO (first published 2011) · Part of the "Learn to Paint with Olga Shmatova" series · Currently out of print; a digital edition is planned · Not yet available in English.

Modern Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide was released in 2011 by the EKSMO publishing house as part of the "Learn to Paint with Olga Shmatova" series.

About the Book

After the success of Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide, a second, companion volume followed, devoted to the alla prima technique (from the Italian alla prima — "at the first attempt," "all at once"): a method of painting in which the picture is completed in a single session, working wet-into-wet. This approach captures impressions with remarkable freshness and immediacy.

The book drew particular interest from professional artists thanks to the author's unique techniques and practical solutions for working alla prima. Special attention is given to methods for speeding up the drying of oil paintings, storing mixed colors, and other professional secrets that make working with oil paints more comfortable.

In 2011, two complementary books on oil painting appeared in the series:

Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide — a manual on the classical multi-layer technique
Modern Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide — a volume devoted to the alla prima technique

The book is not currently being reprinted by EKSMO, but distribution in electronic format is planned.

Authorship and Editions

2011 — first publication of Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide, a self-study guide to classical oil painting
2011 — first publication of Modern Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide, a volume devoted to the alla prima technique, which allows you to complete a painting in a single session

Important: The year printed in a copy of the book may differ from the year of first publication, because the publisher updates it with each reprint. You can check which printing you are holding in the publication data on the last page of the book. The ISBN may also change between reprints.

About This Edition

ISBN 978-5-699-52914-8
Publisher: EKSMO
80 pages, with illustrations
Format: 84×108 1/16
2011

Who This Book Is For

Beginning artists who want to master the alla prima technique of oil painting
Anyone who wants to make use of the many painterly effects oil paint can achieve
Artists looking to raise their technical skill level
Anyone who wants to learn the techniques of an experienced professional

The Advantages of Oil Paints

Technical possibilities

Multi-layer painting
A wealth of textures
The ability to work on a painting over a long period
Ease of making changes

Artistic qualities

Depth of color
Richness of shades
A wide range of transparency
A variety of textures

Practical strengths

Readily available materials
Lightfastness of modern paints
Longevity of finished works
Easy framing and presentation

Versatility

Suitable for any genre
Works with a variety of techniques
Combines well with other materials
Allows works of any size

What Makes the Alla Prima Technique Special

Speed of work

A painting completed in a single session
The freshness of the first impression is preserved
Spontaneity and expressiveness
Well suited to painting outdoors (en plein air)

Technical features

Working wet-into-wet
Mixing paints directly on the canvas
Using textured brushstrokes
A wealth of surface textures

Advantages of the method

Bright, fresh color
A unified, cohesive result
An energetic manner of painting
Every work is one of a kind
A fast working pace

Painting Materials

Modern Painting — p. 7
Art Materials — p. 8
Drawing for Painting — p. 11
Pigments in Oil Paints — p. 14

Artistic Techniques

Thick Paint Rubbed In — p. 17
Washes of Fluid Paint — p. 20
Using a Fan Brush — p. 23
Fluid Paint with a Palette Knife — p. 28
Fine Lines with a Palette Knife — p. 32
Thick Paint with a Palette Knife — p. 37
Relief Texture of the Ground — p. 40
Scratching (Sgraffito) — p. 42
Removing the Top Layer — p. 45
Removing Paint — p. 48
Monotype — p. 50
Finger Painting — p. 52
Spattering — p. 54
Stamping — p. 56
Paint Fillers — p. 59

Painting Together

Summer in the Moscow Countryside — p. 63
Still Life with Mushrooms — p. 66
Winter Park — p. 70
Portrait of a Striped Friend — p. 74
Gladiolus "Victoria" — p. 78

What Makes This Book Special

Clear explanations, with example works by the author and her students
Detailed step-by-step illustrations
Technique diagrams with practical advice on applying each artistic technique
Common mistakes described and corrected
A system of exercises for every technique
Advice from an experienced artist

What You Will Learn

Oil painting skills and techniques for working in the alla prima technique
Creating smooth transitions of color and tone
Drawing fine lines
Applying semi-transparent layers
Original ways of working with oil paint
Choosing materials and tools for alla prima

Practice Assignments

15 foundational techniques for working with oil paints
3–10 exercises in every chapter on artistic techniques
5 complete step-by-step painting demonstrations

The Illustrations in the Book

Modern Oil Painting: A Self-Study Guide features works by both the author and her students. At first, Olga Shmatova did not always label the illustrations, assuming that readers would intuitively be able to tell professional works from student ones.

However, the quality of the paintings created by students under Olga's guidance turned out to be so high that even experienced artists could not always identify the authorship with confidence. It is brilliant proof that Olga Shmatova's teaching method allows beginners to achieve impressive results.

At the same time, to avoid confusion, in later printings the student works were marked with a special symbol — a white smiley face. This way readers can give due credit to the author's mastery while fully appreciating her students' achievements.

The Author Thanks Her Students

The book features works by the author and her students:

Tatyana Dobrichenko, Maria Bogdanova, Yulia Zhukova, Svetlana Korobeynikova, Anastasia Davydova, Elena Peresvetova, Alexey Petrov, Yaroslava Kuzmicheva, Natalya Subbotina, Anna Pukhova, Galina Kulikova, Nina Kulikova, and Vera Shmatova.