Process Of Oil Painting

By Author: Leonardo da Vinci
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The majority of oil paintings are done with a mixture of linseed oil. Recent chemical developments had led to the production of water miscible oil paints. These oils could be mixed with water and cleaned with water. This process is achieved by minor modifications in the molecular structure of linseed oil or other oils used as the painting medium. The traditional oil painting medium has been canvas that was made out of linen cloth but cotton fabrics that are less costly are gaining in popularity.

Initially, the artist prepares a wooden frame, termed as ‘strainer’ or ‘stretcher’. The strainer is a rigid frame without adjustable notches in the corners. The stretcher is an adjustable type of frame. The canvas material is pulled tightly across the wooden frame. It is either stapled or tacked to the back edge. After this, a ‘size’ is applied to the fabric to protect it from the acidic nature of paint. In the earlier times, animal glue was used for this but acrylic gesso, which is a mixture of titanium dioxide and acrylic binder, is ...
... widely used at present. Several layers of acrylic gesso are applied, with sanding done on each layer before the next layer is applied.

Apart from canvas, other types of surfaces like paper, wooden panel, slate, linoleum, cardboard, and pressed wood are also used for oil painting. Wooden panel are costlier and heavier. They also warp or split when exposed to extreme weather conditions. In spite of that, many artists use panels since painting fine details is easier on wooden panels due to their solidity.

The oil painting process is likely to vary from one artist to another. Normally, the artist sketches an outline of the desired subject before applying pigment on the painting surface. Pigments are natural substances that provide color. Sulphur is used for yellow color and cobalt is meant to achieve blue color. The pigments are mixed with linseed oil or other oils. Brushes are the main tools used for applying the paint. Modern brushes are made of synthetic materials that are highly durable. The oil painting is done in layers, with each layer allowed to dry before the next one is applied.
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You can read more about how oil paintings come to life on Aspekt Kunst's website. Oil paintings is also called oljemalerier. Our website contains a world of art. The URL to the site is: www.aspektkunst.no/maleri