Painting in Oil is a Noble Art

Since as early as the 5th-century artists worldwide have been painting in oil. To this very day painting in oil is considered a noble form of art, and it is used by many contemporary painters. As an oil painting can last centuries, many of the world’s greatest masterpieces, painted in oil in the 15th and 16th century, are still displayed in museums and galleries. Some of these paintings are so well preserved that their colours are as vivid as they were when first painted, 600 years ago. Over the years artists have developed various techniques for painting in oil. Each technique gives the painting a unique look and feels and adds to its beauty.

Oil Painting Techniques

Let’s look at the most famous oil painting techniques and their distinguishing features.

Pallet Knife Techniques
A pallet knife is a unique knife used by practically any painter. Its original purpose was to be used for separating and mixing the colours on the pallet, however, many artists also use it for painting. When used as a painting tool, the pallet knife creates more expressive and rough lines in comparison to using a brush. The pallet knife can be also used for cutting in the paint, and creating clear and sharp lines in the painting.

Airbrush Techniques
An airbrush is a tool used to spray a mixture of oil colours and spirit. When used by a paintbrush master, the paintbrush creates very smooth colour transitions and can be used to paint very realistically. This technique is also used by many street artists and is considered to be very contemporary.

Thumbs Techniques
Some artists and especially modern artists use their fingers (and sometimes other parts of their bodies) for painting.
This technique allows the artist to work more freely, and expressively. The direct contact with the paint and the canvas is often used by artists to eradicate any inhibition they may experience during the act of painting.

“Length and Breath”
In this technique the oil colour is spread unevenly on the canvas, using a soft brush. This technique gives the painting a unique and beautiful texture and gives it more body.

Carving Techniques
In this technique, the artist first gives the painting a certain thickness by adding many layers of colour. Once the painting is thick enough, the painter carves in it with his pallet knife, to create various shapes and textures and reveal the undertones. As every layer takes ten to fifteen days to dry, it takes a very long time to complete a painting in this technique.

Sponge Techniques
Using a sponge in the process of painting or once the painting is completed, cerates delicate and beautiful texture that brings out the painting’s colours. A sponge is also often used to give the painting a matt finish.

Using Special Materials for Painting

We selected a list of some special materials that painters use when drawing. Let us present them to you.

Sand
Mixing the oil colour with sand gives the painting a rough texture and a three-dimensional appearance.
The sand can also be spread on the canvas evenly or in different forms and shapes, to create various textures.

Linen Fibers
Linen fibres are glued to the canvas and painted in oil to create a rough and unique texture that resembles coconut fibres. The painting is then painted on the textured surface. This technique gives the painting a unique ethnic look.

Plaster
In this technique, the painter spreads plaster on the painting, to give it an antique look. The result is extremely elegant and is sure to give your home a classic touch.

Rice Paper
The artist glues rice paper to the canvas before starting to paint. This technique gives the oil painting a delicate texture that may remind you of creased paper.

Collage
In this technique, materials such as wood and cardboard are attached to the canvas and painted upon to create and bring out various motifs in the painting. This technique gives the painting a unique sculptural quality.