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Alchemy with oils
Oils are just a mixture of linseed oil, pigment, thinner, a waxy
stabilizer, and a drier (a hardening agent that enables the paint to
dry) — but ask oil painters about their paint, and they'll wax
poetic. Like alchemists bent on making gold from base metals, painters
treasure knowledge about the drying times and chemical properties of
oils, and pass this information to their successors like an heirloom.
Many oil painters find that learning from centuries of tradition and
accumulated knowledge is in itself a richly rewarding experience.
A sensual experience
Oil paints demand patience and vision of an artist, but they offer a
sensual experience for artist and viewer alike. Depending on the amount
of oil and medium an artist adds, oils can take weeks or even months to
dry — giving painters time to hone and refine their visions after
applying each successive layer of paint. Artists often describe their
oil paint mixtures in lavish, tactile terms: buttery, syrupy, soupy,
and watery. By applying layer after layer of progressively thicker
oils, an artist can create a sense of depth and texture that tempts us
to touch the finished painting. No wonder why museums have so many
guards to remind us not to touch the oil paintings.
Below are examples of oil paintings available on NextMonet. Click on
any one to learn more about the individual work.
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| Karen Barbour |
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Rich Lehl |
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Tarra Lyons |
The main types of painting are:
Acrylic
Encaustic
Gouache
Oil
Sumi
Tempera
Watercolor
Mixed Media
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