Why is Oil along Canvas so Popular?

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by: olgarahmaninof
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Word Count: 362
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 Time: 8:27 AM
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Oil is no doubt the first place popular medium used by all painters. The world's fine paintings Sunflower (Van Gogh), Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) and Impressions Sunrise (Monet), are all painted with oils.

These drying oils, typically man-made from linseeds, are durable and particularly user-friendly for painters. They are also good for creating attractive textures for each work of art.

Contrary to popular belief that Europeans were pioneers in adapting oils for art, the world's earliest oil paintings of Buddhist images were discovered in Afghanistan's Bamiyan caves. These god-fearing expressions date back to 650 AD, almost 800 years before Renaissance in Europe.

Acrylic and Oil, what's the difference?

While oil and acrylic paintings look like similar to an unprofessional eye, they hold very different properties to painters.

Time to Dry

Oil is a historic, centuries-old medium which is much respected. They take a longer time than acrylic to dry, according to circumstances may be more adapted for certain painting techniques. As acrylic is water-based, the quick drying of water allows it to dry more rapidly.

For painters who prefer to work faster, he may like acrylic over oils. Beginners may choose oils with longer time for consideration and measurement before evaporation.

Toxicity

Toxicity of oil also sets it apart from acrylic. The use of solvents such as turpentine in oil increases its poisonousness. Hence, it is best to work in a good-ventilated room when using oil.

Versatility

Acrylic colours tend towards a shade darker when dried. While experts have added that it is less attractive than oil, contemporary artists are fast becoming fans of acrylic. Its adjustability allows the use of pastel, charcoal and pen on top of the dried acrylic surface, great for creating mix-media art works. Blending other bodies into acrylic such as sand, metal and paper are also aliquot.

Longevity

Whether acrylic can last longer than oils, it remains debatable. Given acrylic's 50 year-history, it is still early to say that it can outlast its fellow. Oil, after all may crack and discolour over time.

About the Author

The writer is the owner of art prints store and online art museum
and a painter using both mediums