History of Oil Painting

An introduction of oil paintings

For centuries now oil paintings have been a favorite choice for both artists and admirers. Despite a few advancements in paint, the overall process of creating oil paintings hasn't changed significantly.

What is oil painting?

Oil paintings differ from other paintings because oil paints are used to produce the images. Linseed oil, poppy seed oil, and walnut oils were and still are some of the most commonly used oils to create these paints. Pigments are simply added to the oil to create the necessary colors for the oil paintings.

The ability to create realistic tones and colors with oil paintings makes it a popular medium. 

Unlike other painting mediums, oil paintings feature extraordinary hues, linear treatments and textural effects.

A historical overview

In the late Middle Ages oil paintings entered the art scene in Europe. Many historians credit Jan Van Eyck with the invention of oil paintings while others believe Van Eyck was just the artist that made oil paintings popular.

Regardless of who invented oil paints, it is believed that they were used for more than just designative oil paintings. For example, oil paints were used on the surfaces of shields because it proved to be more durable.

The process

Oil paintings are traditionally created in a number of stages with the first being a sketch. Typically artists that create oil paintings will then fill in the large areas of the sketch with a thin layer of paint and then move onto the details once the larger areas have been perfected. Oil paintings can take a few days or even years to create depending on the artist.

The oil paintings of today

Oil paintings are still a popular medium today because oil paints are often easier to use and can create a number of unique effects.  Over the years a couple of advancements have been made that contribute to improving oil paintings.

First of all, there are now water miscible oil paints. Oil paintings created with this type of oil paint can easily be touched up with water instead of the traditionally used turpentine.  Another new option is heat-set oil paints. With heat-set oils, oil paintings remain in a liquid state until the artist sets it using a high temperature.

Caring for oil paintings

Since their inception oil paintings have always been fragile, which makes proper care essential. Oil paintings can be harmed by too much sunlight or extreme variations in temperature. For example, coastal climates can actually destroy oil paintings by browning the varnish.

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