Oil paints have long been the "medium of choice" for artists. Early masters such as Michelangelo and Caravaggio used oil paints to create their renowned art. Later artists such as Thomas Kinkade, use the same type of paint to bring their work to life.
According to art webzine Gremlins in the Garage, "Oil paint gives a richness and depth of colour that is unsurpassed by any other medium." One of the biggest advantages of oil paint is its long drying type. It allows artists to fix mistakes or makes changes hours, and even days later. Once the painting is completed, this becomes a disadvantage as the artist waits for the completed work to dry. You can lessen the time it takes oil paint to dry in a few different ways.
Instructions
1. Use thickened linseed oil to lessen the time it takes oil paint to dry. Read and follow the directions on the container to achieve the best results. Mix a little of the linseed oil with the paint before you use it. According to Filarecki Fine Arts, cold-pressed linseed oil dries in three to five days.
2. Paint pictures by using light, thin strokes of color. Let each layer dry and harden before you add more paint.
3. Lean the finished artwork against a sunny window to dry the paint faster, advises Bill Martin's Guide to Oil Painting. You can even lay it flat on the top of your refrigerator. Don't use any type of moist heat. Dry heat works the best. If the room is humid, run a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air.
