Oil Painting for Sale

Oil painting is a painting technique that involves mixing finely ground color pigments with a binding oil, typically linseed oil, though poppy seed oil is also used. Before applying the paint, the surface must be coated with a primer to ensure proper adhesion. This step is essential for the durability and versatility of the medium, allowing artists to paint on various surfaces such as wood, canvas, or metal.

The origins of oil painting trace back to the Middle Ages, but it was the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck who is often credited with refining the technique. His experiments led to new levels of transparency and depth in artworks, influencing other Flemish painters who helped spread the method. Oil painting soon replaced tempera, which relied on egg yolk as a binder, and became the dominant medium in European art.

During the 15th century, wooden panels gave way to stretched linen canvases mounted on frames, enabling artists to work on larger, more flexible surfaces. This transition, however, came with challenges, as oil paint contained toxic components and required skilled preparation. Despite this, the Renaissance saw a surge in its popularity, with Venetian painters like Titian and Flemish masters such as Rubens embracing the medium. Dutch painters, led by Rembrandt, further advanced oil painting techniques, making it a defining feature of Baroque and later artistic movements.

The 19th and 20th centuries cemented oil painting as the preferred medium for modern artists. Industrialization revolutionized its use, with the invention of pre-packaged paint tubes in France in 1840. This innovation played a key role in the emergence of Impressionism, allowing painters to work outdoors, capturing light and movement in ways never before possible. A century later, acrylic paint began to challenge oil painting due to its quick drying time and ease of use.

A fundamental rule in oil painting is the fat-over-lean principle, ensuring durability by applying layers with higher oil content over those with lower oil content. This method prevents cracking and enhances the painting's longevity. While traditional oil painting techniques continue to thrive, contemporary artists often experiment with unconventional approaches. Some painters leave the canvas unprimed to highlight its raw texture, while abstract artists such as Jackson Pollock abandoned classical methods altogether, using dripping techniques to create spontaneous, dynamic compositions.

Oil painting remains a cornerstone of the art world, with countless artists still using this historic technique to produce remarkable works. On Artsper, discover contemporary oil paintings by renowned artists such as Arman, Salvador Dalí, and Robert Combas, showcasing the timeless beauty and versatility of this celebrated medium.

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Painting, Morning, Oksana Ivanyuk

Morning

Oksana Ivanyuk

Painting - 30 x 25 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch

€225

Painting, Paris #1, Harald Wolff

Paris #1

Harald Wolff

Painting - 150 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 59.1 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€3,500

Painting, Mon coeur, Nelson Fabiano

Mon coeur

Nelson Fabiano

Painting - 81 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 31.9 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

€4,000

Painting, Nuit sur NY, Nelson Fabiano

Nuit sur NY

Nelson Fabiano

Painting - 100 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

€5,000

Painting, Shumacher, Marin Marcos

Shumacher

Marin Marcos

Painting - 130 x 97 x 2 cm Painting - 51.2 x 38.2 x 0.8 inch

€14,500

Painting, White orchids, Olga Volna

White orchids

Olga Volna

Painting - 80 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

€719

Painting, Flaming irises, Olga Volna

Flaming irises

Olga Volna

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

€592

Painting, Magnolias, Olga Volna

Magnolias

Olga Volna

Painting - 80 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

€592

Painting, Red Tomato, Ivan Russev

Red Tomato

Ivan Russev

Painting - 30 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 13 x 0.8 inch

€690

Painting, La joie, Cécile Coutant

La joie

Cécile Coutant

Painting - 80 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

€1,050

Painting, Akua #4, Frédéric Choisel

Akua #4

Frédéric Choisel

Painting - 152 x 107 x 4 cm Painting - 59.8 x 42.1 x 1.6 inch

€9,000

Painting, Akua #3, Frédéric Choisel

Akua #3

Frédéric Choisel

Painting - 152 x 107 x 4 cm Painting - 59.8 x 42.1 x 1.6 inch

€9,000

Painting, Gentle Orhids, Olga Volna

Gentle Orhids

Olga Volna

Painting - 120 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

€901

Painting, Parrot (1), Olga Volna

Parrot (1)

Olga Volna

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€187

Painting, Parrot, Olga Volna

Parrot

Olga Volna

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€186

Painting, Meule, Laurent Chabot

Meule

Laurent Chabot

Painting - 80 x 110 x 4 cm Painting - 31.5 x 43.3 x 1.6 inch

€2,900

Painting, Violet Tulips, Olga Volna

Violet Tulips

Olga Volna

Painting - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€86

Painting, Blue parrot, Olga Volna

Blue parrot

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 35 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€137

Painting, Blue parrots, Olga Volna

Blue parrots

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 35 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€137

Painting, Tulip, Olga Volna

Tulip

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 35 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€137

Painting, Tulip, Olga Volna

Tulip

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 35 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

€137

Painting, Morning Peony, Olga Volna

Morning Peony

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€391

Painting, White peony, Olga Volna

White peony

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€391

Painting, Magic peony, Olga Volna

Magic peony

Olga Volna

Painting - 38 x 28 x 1 cm Painting - 15 x 11 x 0.4 inch

€137

Painting, New York 2, Laurent Chabot

New York 2

Laurent Chabot

Painting - 150 x 180 x 5 cm Painting - 59.1 x 70.9 x 2 inch

€5,500

Painting, New York 1, Laurent Chabot

New York 1

Laurent Chabot

Painting - 150 x 180 x 5 cm Painting - 59.1 x 70.9 x 2 inch

€5,500

Painting, Giraffe, Olga Volna

Giraffe

Olga Volna

Painting - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

€86

Painting, Floral Majesty, Olga Volna

Floral Majesty

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€391

Painting, Pink Petals, Olga Volna

Pink Petals

Olga Volna

Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

€273

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Need help with Oil Painting for Sale ?
What is special about oil painting?

Oil painting allows for very efficient mixing of colors and tones. Due to its long drying time, it is possible to alter an oil painting days after the paint has been applied. Oil painting also allows for precision and a range of visual effects.

What's the difference between oil painting and acrylic?

Oil paint and acrylic paint are produced using different materials. While oil painting consists of pigments suspended in drying oils, acrylic paint is water-based. The main difference between the two is that acrylic paints can be thinned down with water, and dry faster than oil paints.

Is oil painting easier than watercolor?

It is easier to correct mistakes when working in oil paint as they are more opaque than watercolors and can be easily scraped off a surface.