Painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil is known as oil painting. In Europe, where this form of painting grew popular in the early modern era, linseed oil is the popular variant used. Linseed was often boiled with pine resin or frankincence and turned into ‘varnish’. This substance was the reason behind the glossy feel that a painting attained.
An artist making an oil painting initiates the work by taking a canvas and sketching the theme or subject with a piece of charcoal. Some artists also use thinned paint for this purpose. Oil paints usually have a mixture of linseed oil, mineral spirits or other forms of spirit that helps in the creation of a thinner, faster or slower drying paint, as required.
A basic tenet of oil painting is that each layer of paint must contain more oil than the previous layer. This ensures proper drying, which would not be possible if the layer on top has less oil. On the contrary, the paint would begin to crack and peel.
The traditional method of making an oil painting comprises the use of a paint brush. However, variations include the use of palette knives or rags as well.
