Why is Oil Painting so Unique?

Art in the Western world has been greatly associated with the Oil Painting in both traditional and modern times. Oil painting has formed a connection with and represented historical civilization, forming association with the issues of the time.

Throughout the world, oil paint has been chosen as the preferred medim for artists. It’s wide scope has kept it as the most stylish choice. It’s outstanding ability to allow fusion of tone and colour makes it unique among other painting mediums, while at the same time oil paint permits the artist to create crisp edge effects. Translucent, transparent and opaque qualities are all with the paints range along with the ability to form wide ranging textures. A coat of varnish is usually applied to the finished painting for protection but also brings tonal depth and colour intensity to the fore – it brings the painting alive.

How is Oil Paint made?

Dry powder pigments are mixed with refined linseed oil to form a stiff paste consistency. The paint consists of these particles of pigments suspended in a drying oil. It is then passed through roller mills, grinding it to a smooth paste removing any tackiness. The viscosity of the paint can then be changed to allow it to flow more easily through the addition of a iquid painting medium such as pure gum turpentine.

Which Paintbrush do I use?

There are two types of suitable paint brush: Red Sable made up of hair from the weasel family and Bleached Hog bristles. Each comes numbered to indicate size and four shapes: round (pointed), oval (flat but bluntly pointed), flat, bright (flat shape but shorter)

Interesting Fact!

The paint tube was invented in 1841 by a portrait painter called John Goffe Rand. This superseded the pig bladder and glass syringe which were used as the primary tool of paint transfer. Previously aristis ground each pigment by hand and added oil. The invention of the paint tube meant that paints could now be produced and sold in bulk in sealed tubes. This was significant in that paint could now be preserved for future use.

For the impressionists, tubed paints offered more spontaneous colours for their plein air palettes. The artist Pierre – Auguste Renoir said: “Without tubes of paint, there would have been no impressionism”.