Oil painting

Oil painting is a sophisticated artistic method that uses pigments combined with a drying oil as a binder.

This technique allows artists to achieve a wide range of visual effects. It provides greater flexibility and richer, denser colors than many other media. Artists can also use many layers to create a deep transition from light to dark. Because oil paint stays wet for a long time, it allows for significant changes during the process. An artist can alter the color or texture of a figure while the paint is still fresh. They can even remove an entire wet layer using a rag and turpentine to begin the work anew.

The chemistry of the paint depends on the specific ingredients used by the artist.

The basic components are pigments and a drying oil. Common drying oils include linseed oil, poppyseed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil. Linseed oil is the most general-purpose option and comes from the flax seed. Some artists prefer safflower, walnut, or poppyseed oils for lighter colors like white. These specific oils yellow less than linseed oil during the drying process. However, these oils often dry more slowly and may not create the strongest paint film. An artist might even boil the oil with a resin, such as pine resin or frankincense, to create a protective varnish.

To ensure the painting remains stable, artists must follow a technical rule called "fat over lean."

This rule dictates that each additional layer of paint should contain more oil than the layer underneath it. If an artist applies a layer with less oil over one with more, the final painting may crack or peel. The consistency of the paint on the canvas is also controlled by how these layers are applied. Artists can manipulate the density, or "body," of the paint by adding other media. These include cold wax, resins, or varnishes to adjust translucency and sheen. They may also use solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits to thin the paint.

The history of oil painting reveals a global timeline of discovery.

The oldest known oil paintings are Buddhist murals found in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.

These works date back to the 7th century AD and show a highly refined use of pigments and varnish. In Europe, oil was used for statues and woodwork starting around the 12th century. A monk named Theophilus Presbyter wrote instructions for oil-based painting in a treatise around 1125. While some historians incorrectly credited Jan van Eyck with inventing the medium, Early Netherlandish painters were actually the first to make it a standard method. They pioneered the use of layers and glazes in the 15th century.

As the technique spread, the materials used to support the art also evolved.

Early oil paintings were often done on wooden panels that required expensive preparation. By the end of the 15th century, artists began using canvas as a support. Canvas was cheaper, easier to transport, and allowed for much larger works. Venice became a leader in this shift because sail-canvas was easily available there. For very small, detailed works, artists sometimes used copper plates. These metal surfaces were very firm and allowed for incredibly fine detail. By 1540, oil painting had almost completely replaced egg tempera for panel paintings in most of Europe.

Artists use different tools to achieve various textures and visual styles. Most traditionally use paintbrushes to transfer paint to the surface. However, some use palette knives to apply or scrape away paint.

This can create a raised, rough texture known as impasto. Venetian painters like Giovanni Bellini and Titian were early leaders in using these textured effects. In the 17th century, artists such as Rembrandt began using dark grounds to change the painting's appearance. This created a distinction between artists seeking a smooth, glassy surface and those who wanted to show the marks of their tools.

A major shift in how artists worked occurred in the mid-19th century.

Before this time, artists or their apprentices had to grind pigments and mix paints by hand in a studio. This made it very difficult to paint away from the workspace. In 1841, the American painter John Goffe Rand invented the collapsible metal tube. This invention allowed artists to carry pre-mixed paints easily. It enabled the rise of plein air painting, which is painting outdoors in the fresh air. This development was a key part of movements like French Impressionism.