oil paintings

It is believed that Oil painting came into vogue probably during the middle ages. The general opinion is  that some European artists began using oil as a medium when they painted on wood. It was found that water colors were not very durable. Hence the use of oil in painting gained popularity. Essentially,linseed oil derived from flaxseed was mixed with pigments. The smooth paste which was obtained was easy to apply, easy to fuse, and successful in producing a smooth consistent texture. Although oil paintings were produced in the 11th century, it is only in the 15th and 16th centuries that they emerged as a viable and widespread medium. Van Eyck  is regarded as the “father of oil painting.”

Initially oil paints were used on surfaces of shields and other decorations, but when the artists realized the potential, they resorted to using it more frequently.
The sheen which is present in oil paintings and the different visual effects which are produced are due to the painters using different oils in the same painting. Instead of linseed oil, if poppy seed oil, walnut oil or safflower oil is used along with the pigments, then the paintings develop a certain identity of their own. In a single painting, many layers of paint are used to produce the desired effect. The ground rule however is that each layer should be oilier than the previous one. This ensures that the paint dries properly and also ensures that the painting does not peel or crack. In painting parlance, this concept is known as “fat over lean”.

Many of us have often wondered how certain oil paintings are translucent, while others are dense or have sheen of their own. The secret lies in the medium used. Cold wax, resins hold the key to the appearance of the final piece. When the oil painting dries completely, the artists coat it with a layer of varnish mixed with turpentine. This helps to seal the colors, tone, and density and in a sense preserve the vivacity of the painting. However, some of the contemporary oil paintings are varnish free.

Although the process of oil painting differs, all artists who use oil paint as a medium have certain things in common. Whatever surface they use, (the most commonly used surface is canvas)the surface is first “prepared”. Of course some of the masters like Da Vinci used a wooden panel. A coating of glue mixed with pigments is applied on the canvas. Then the outline is drawn. The artists choose their brushes according to the effect they want to produce. There are soft paint brushes and hard paint brushes. The hard brushes are called bristle brushes. Bold strokes are usually produced by bristle brushes, round brushes are used for detailed painting, and  “bright” brushes for broad areas. In contemporary art, synthetic brushes do the work of hard and soft brushes more effectively and are also easier to use.  Knives are used to remove the excess paints. Of course, rags, sponges and swabs come into play now and then depending on the type of effect the artist wants to create. Firm easels are also a prerequisite for oil painting.

Some oil paintings follow a monochromatic color scheme. This means that apart from black and white only one other color is used. This makes it easier to create a sense of harmony with varied shades of light and dark of that color.

Indian oil paintings range through a wide spectrum. The themes used and the vivid colors leave us spellbound. Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings are an epitome of life, symbols of beauty and an exposition on the finesse needed in the art of oil painting. So filled are they with imagination and so exquisite are they in style, that they cannot fail to touch anyone who sees them. Some of M.F. Hussain’s  oil paintings are absolutely matchless. His abstract oils have that mystic quality which is haunting.

 

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