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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, De l'intérieur, Kélyne

De l'intérieur

Kélyne

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

$4,446

Painting, Got An Idea?, Jo Gyuhun

Got An Idea?

Jo Gyuhun

Painting - 145 x 112 x 2 cm Painting - 57.1 x 44.1 x 0.8 inch

$13,400

Painting, Diary Notes, Trude Viken

Diary Notes

Trude Viken

Painting - 29.845 x 22.86 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 9 x 0.8 inch

$5,000

Painting, Fauvette, Witold Pyzik

Fauvette

Witold Pyzik

Painting - 120 x 67 x 5 cm Painting - 47.2 x 26.4 x 2 inch

$5,850

Painting, City, Anna Krtshatsyan

City

Anna Krtshatsyan

Painting - 125 x 145 cm Painting - 49.2 x 57.1 inch

$1,872

Painting, Head, Gianni Dova

Head

Gianni Dova

Painting - 37.5 x 46.5 x 0.1 cm Painting - 14.8 x 18.3 x 0 inch

$12,636

Painting, N-4, Robert Goodnough

N-4

Robert Goodnough

Painting - 114.3 x 172.7 x 5.1 cm Painting - 45 x 68 x 2 inch

$24,000

Painting, La fuga, Carlo Petrini

La fuga

Carlo Petrini

Painting - 100 x 120 x 5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 47.2 x 2 inch

$2,164

Painting, State of Grace, Mary Brown

State of Grace

Mary Brown

Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 3.8 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 1.5 inch

$10,000

Painting, Fall, James Scoppettone

Fall

James Scoppettone

Painting - 76.2 x 101.6 x 3.8 cm Painting - 30 x 40 x 1.5 inch

$20,000

Painting, Mafia, Natasha Steshenko

Mafia

Natasha Steshenko

Painting - 65 x 100 x 1 cm Painting - 25.6 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

$1,500

Painting, Deer, Paul Wilde

Deer

Paul Wilde

Painting - 86 x 122 x 1 cm Painting - 33.9 x 48 x 0.4 inch

$3,510

Painting, Ships, Bruno Croatto

Ships

Bruno Croatto

Painting - 43 x 44 x 1 cm Painting - 16.9 x 17.3 x 0.4 inch

$4,095

Painting, Cosmos, Itir Orcun

Cosmos

Itir Orcun

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

$4,621

Painting, Jordan 1, Luc Abalo

Jordan 1

Luc Abalo

Painting - 200 x 130 x 5 cm Painting - 78.7 x 51.2 x 2 inch

$11,700

Painting, Red night (1), Dean Huang

Red night (1)

Dean Huang

Painting - 65 x 53.5 x 3 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.1 x 1.2 inch

$4,680

Painting, Capitol, Claire Halpin

Capitol

Claire Halpin

Painting - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$1,462

Painting, Heat, Akim Levich

Heat

Akim Levich

Painting - 69 x 89 x 2 cm Painting - 27.2 x 35 x 0.8 inch

$8,775

Painting, Composition, Lucien Beyer

Composition

Lucien Beyer

Painting - 60 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch

$573

Painting, Kaalat Habad, Saad Yagan

Kaalat Habad

Saad Yagan

Painting - 140 x 180 cm Painting - 55.1 x 70.9 inch

$20,000

Painting, La douceur du Lac, Yi-GE

La douceur du Lac

Yi-GE

Painting - 100 x 100 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 inch

$9,243

Painting, The Sin, Hyangmok Baik

The Sin

Hyangmok Baik

Painting - 65 x 53 x 1 cm Painting - 25.6 x 20.9 x 0.4 inch

$5,850

Painting, Gumdrop, Brent Estabrook

Gumdrop

Brent Estabrook

Painting - 41 x 41 x 2.5 cm Painting - 16.1 x 16.1 x 1 inch

$6,250

Painting, Paysage peint, J. Hinnen

Paysage peint

J. Hinnen

Painting - 51 x 60.5 x 2 cm Painting - 20.1 x 23.8 x 0.8 inch

$1,235

Painting, Port, Philippe Bonnet

Port

Philippe Bonnet

Painting - 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

$1,522

25/100

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Painting, Discogolf, Ralph Resch

Discogolf

Ralph Resch

Painting - 116 x 89 x 2 cm Painting - 45.7 x 35 x 0.8 inch

$1,228 $1,106

Painting, Orgasm, Dasha Pogodina

Orgasm

Dasha Pogodina

Painting - 90 x 90 x 2 cm Painting - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$2,714

Painting, Régate, Pierrick Tual

Régate

Pierrick Tual

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

$842

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.