how to paint fire in oil paints?

Question

Ive been searching the internet but there is very limited material I can find that isn't digital painting.
Can anyone give me advice on how to create a realistic fire?
I am doing it on canvas and the fire rises to the halfway point so little flame tutorials are useless i would say.

Thanks and I welcome your help.

Answer 1

There's nothing wrong with looking at photos. You'll see that flames are actually quite abstract and form all sorts of shapes. After awhile you'll be able to paint flames using your imagination.

It is better to paint the lightest areas first- white and some yellow. Then add the orange and red later. You can also add some blue and green flames if you want but these are usually smaller flames near the base of the fire.

Then add black and other dark colored areas at the very last to help the flames pop out.

Answer 2

I would suggest you switch to acrylics, Oil need to be applied to something that is NOT absorbent. So you need to prime the wall with acrylic paint or gesso and sand it and reapply the gesso and sand it, etc several times. Or you could hang a large piece of canvas stretched tight and primeit with gesso. If you have never worked it oils, they can cause you to pull you hair out. You overmix and you will get mud. And they can take weeks to dry and are not considered dry for up to 1 year or more. When they have dried they need to be varnished with an artist quality varnish (but not before 3 months of drying) The lovely part of acrylics, brushes and tools can be wash with water (not turpentine) and the painting dries in 20-30 minutes. Don't like it, wait a minute and paint over it. I would suggest that you do a small trial run in both mediums and develope some techniques before you jump into the 8 foot job. And you might consider doing it in sections. I frequently do a large painting but it is actually 8 different deep canvases when hung together they make one large picture, but they are easier to move because they may actually be 24 x 48 inches.

Answer 3

Copy a drawing from the reference image onto a canvas or sheet of watercolor paper. Outline flames with light, loose strokes. Don't try to pencil in every change in color. Instead, define layers of flames.Paint everything in the picture except the flames and any glowing, hot material. A dark background will contrast with the bright flames and coals. Add any cast shadows for a dramatic effect.Create a bright orange with yellow and red, blending the palette knife. Mix a dab of the orange paint into a large blob of glazing medium. Blend translucent orange washes into the yellow. Define the tips of some flames with a small brush by outlining the flames with pale yellow. Add depth and intensity with deep red-orange behind the lighter flames.Brush white into the centers of any burning coals. Add intense yellow and orange washes. Paint crisp, black edges as needed.

Answer 4

I use mostly arcrylic, but sometimes do oil,



Pretty much mix different shades of red and yellow to maje many types of oranges, and maybe a small amount of blue. MIX COLORS. Experiment a little on your pallet until you find many shades, then, make sure they contrast to the painting. It may not work well as you start, it's a a skill you need to learn but you'll get it.

Answer 5

look at the subject and then paint it , all realistic artists paint what they see .

blend red and orange and warm yellow , watch this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjFX8K_lKys

although it is water but you can do the same with to paint fire , watch when he puts some paint and splatters them randomly with a big brush .



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry-AEtNb4c0



good luck !

Answer 6

Same way you paint anything. Paint what you see. It might help to look at other artists' attempts to paint flames.

http://www.google.ca/search?q=painting+flames&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=BwcEUJSzDeWi6wHzw_mKBw&sqi=2&ved=0CF8QsAQ&biw=1152&bih=727