Why People Turn To Oil Based Paintings

By Paul Hamilton


There is always a debate between oils and other mediums between artists. There are advantages and disadvantages to these. After oil paints, the next common medium is acrylic. A lot of people enjoy these, especially abstract painters as well as beginners. Oil based paintings have been presented in the works of many famous artists from the beginning of times.

There are a lot of ways that the oil paints stands out which gives the painting various effects. This is something you don't achieve with other mediums. For example, you are able to blend it in with greater ease. This is because the paint takes a longer period to dry. It makes it so much easier to work.

It can take up to a day or more for the paint to dry, depending on how much you spread on the canvas. It means that you can do a little work, and take a break and then go and do some more work later on. You can even continue the following day. You can't do the same with acrylics. This is the reason why many people move across to oils.

When acrylics came along, some of the artists took to them and were fascinated by the drying time. Compared to the oils. Many painters were against this because it means that you have to work very fast. You will have trouble blending in the paint. There are less effects that you can create. However, there are things that you can do with the acrylics to make them stand out as well.

By applying a lot of paint, this will create some texture. Artists often use a lot of tools. It especially relates to abstract painters who will use different palette knives. They will use sponges and bottles where they can splash on the paint. They will also create layers and you can see some of the color underneath. This also creates interesting undertones.

With oil paintings, one can say that this is more traditional since it was established first. It is not as easy to control. There are more techniques to learn about. If you have been introduced to watercolors or abstract colors, you will find that you need far less paint when you are using oils.

Abstract painters may complain that it doesn't create as much texture because and it doesn't spread easily. However, there are other solutions to help with this. There are mediums which you can mix with the oil paint. Artists will do this beforehand. Some artists will use the acrylic as a base. This can make a good background. It is a good idea if you are an abstract painter because colors are more vibrant.

Many artists just enjoy painting in this way because it is more traditional. All the great artists used oils, mostly because that is all that there was. However, these days, there is so much else available. Even with so much else that one can choose from, oil always tend to be really popular.




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