Reclining male nude

This sketch is my first and only attempt at working with oil paints. I loved it and hated it at the same time.

On the one hand, oil paints are smoother and easier to work into the canvas. The colors blend in with each other naturally, and it’s easy to get transparent washes of color. Also, it seemed to me like you could get the most out of the shape of your brush when using oils.

On the other hand, oils take forever to dry, which can be frustrating. Once I know that a piece is finished, I tend to want to scan it and tweak it and show it to people, so having to wait for a week or two drives me crazy. Plus, the solvent I was using to dilute it was very strong; a well ventilated room is a must.

Despite the pitfalls of oil painting, I really like how this sketch turned out and I would probably work with oils again. Not just yet though.