Oil paintings are among the most beautiful and realistic, thanks to their texture and depth, which give them a photograph-like appearance. Oil paint is made up of pigment and oil, which is usually linseed, walnut, or poppy oil. It takes a long time to dry, allowing an artist to make changes to their work before it dries.
Artists used tempera paint, which was made from egg yolks, before oil paint was invented. Tempera paint dries much faster than regular paint and lends itself to a very precise painting style. Because tempera paint dries so quickly, you’ll use small brush strokes in layers. It’s also linked to classical art and, surprisingly, poster paint.
In the 1400s, Jan van Eyck is credited with inventing oil paint. Oil paints provided artists with an additional medium for capturing and reflecting light, allowing them to more realistically imitate life. You’ll notice that a lot of oil paintings resemble photographs. Oil paint would remain popular until the 1950s, when acrylic paint supplanted it as the preferred medium for many artists.
While painting with oil paint provides options for a seasoned artist, it can be difficult for many aspiring artists. All of the things that make oil paint so popular also make it difficult for those who aren’t used to working with such long drying times. In painting, the term “fat over lean” refers to the practice of increasing the amount of oil used with each layer. The paint can crack if the top layers dry before the bottom layers. You can speed up the drying time of the top layers by adding more oil to them.
Linseed oil dries the fastest and is ideal for use as a base layer or underpainting. It’s worth noting that linseed oil has a tendency to yellow, which is particularly noticeable with light colors. It’s best avoided for soft-hued upper layers. Poppyseed oil is a good substitute, but it dries more slowly. Never let your art work dry in complete darkness. Oil can rise to the surface and form a thin film on the surface, causing yellowing. If this occurs, place your artwork in a bright window for the day to prevent further damage.