Oil Paints

Oil paints are composed of ground pigments suspended in a drying oil, such as linseed or safflower oil. Oils do not dry by evaporation as with acrylic and watercolour, but oxidise into a solid state. The drying time of an oil painting can extend into weeks or month, limiting its commercial applications. However, the long open time allows for areas to be intensively worked, and the high levels of luminosity and the glazing effects which can be achieved make for highly realistic portraiture and landscapes.

Oil paint as an artistic medium became popular in the fifteenth century due to its durability when dry. Its hard-wearing qualities made it popular inside and out, and the oils were obtainable from many commonly grown crop plants. Since its initial development, oils have been variously improved by artists and manufacturers. Early oils underwent tonal shifts while drying, and the oil vehicle was prone to cracking and yellowing. Many of the historical alterations have been concerned with trying to overcome these problems

Oils are popular with fine artists, and those trying to recreate the effects achieved by historically popular artists, such as Rembrandt and Whistler. Due to the drying times and potentially harmful pigments and mediums, oils tend not to be used in schools.

Famous oil painters include Leonardo Da Vinci, Claude Monet and J. M. W. Turner.