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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, Pastoral, Nelli Tsenova

Pastoral

Nelli Tsenova

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

€680

Painting, Vague, Boudier

Vague

Boudier

Painting - 81 x 65 x 2 cm Painting - 31.9 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch

€900

Painting, The Flowerpot, Mika Jacob

The Flowerpot

Mika Jacob

Painting - 60 x 40 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€959

Painting, Willows, Trixie Pitts

Willows

Trixie Pitts

Painting - 30.5 x 30.5 x 3.3 cm Painting - 12 x 12 x 1.3 inch

€540

Painting, Sola 1, Sola Puig

Sola 1

Sola Puig

Painting - 27 x 22 x 1 cm Painting - 10.6 x 8.7 x 0.4 inch

€800

Painting, Heart, Katalina Koneva

Heart

Katalina Koneva

Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

€680

Painting, Berlin Blue, Dasha Buben

Berlin Blue

Dasha Buben

Painting - 65 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch

€750

Painting, Femme II, Hong Shen

Femme II

Hong Shen

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

€500

Painting, Etiuda, Jan Aniserowicz

Etiuda

Jan Aniserowicz

Painting - 41 x 31 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 12.2 x 0.8 inch

€550

Painting, Sans titre 6, Loïc Brun

Sans titre 6

Loïc Brun

Painting - 46 x 38 x 3 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 1.2 inch

€1,000 €900

Painting, What If, Obiora Anamaleze

What If

Obiora Anamaleze

Painting - 119.4 x 114.3 x 2.5 cm Painting - 47 x 45 x 1 inch

€2,149

Painting, Pretty, Christian Vey

Pretty

Christian Vey

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

€1,850

Painting, Abstract VI, Mykola Bodnar

Abstract VI

Mykola Bodnar

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

€750

Painting, Sans-titre, Yang Liming

Sans-titre

Yang Liming

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

€5,500

Painting, Hoshi, Diane Grant

Hoshi

Diane Grant

Painting - 65 x 50 x 0.01 cm Painting - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

€657

Painting, BCM0302243, André Nadal

BCM0302243

André Nadal

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2.5 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1 inch

€4,300

Painting, Untitled, Shay Kun

Untitled

Shay Kun

Painting - 85 x 90 x 3 cm Painting - 33.5 x 35.4 x 1.2 inch

€12,348

Painting, Body of Mind, Lawrence Amoo

Body of Mind

Lawrence Amoo

Painting - 180.1 x 149.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 70.9 x 59 x 1 inch

€9,649

Painting, N°19047 Pieta 1, Capton

N°19047 Pieta 1

Capton

Painting - 146 x 114 x 3 cm Painting - 57.5 x 44.9 x 1.2 inch

€6,200

Painting, Enigma, Aude Herlédan

Enigma

Aude Herlédan

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

€13,000

Painting, Oiseau, Xiang Lin

Oiseau

Xiang Lin

Painting - 70 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

€800

Painting, Beach, Lauren Acton

Beach

Lauren Acton

Painting - 30.5 x 30.5 x 5.1 cm Painting - 12 x 12 x 2 inch

€549

Painting, Between, Xanda McCagg

Between

Xanda McCagg

Painting - 30.1 x 30.1 x 0.1 cm Painting - 11.9 x 11.9 x 0 inch

€1,613

Painting, Sewing Nets, AVEL Muñoz

Sewing Nets

AVEL Muñoz

Painting - 27.5 x 36 x 3 cm Painting - 10.8 x 14.2 x 1.2 inch

€800

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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

€1,050 €945

Painting, Orgasm, Dasha Pogodina

Orgasm

Dasha Pogodina

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

€2,320

Painting, Régate, Pierrick Tual

Régate

Pierrick Tual

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

€720

Painting, Etude 3, Alexander Shandor

Etude 3

Alexander Shandor

Painting - 20 x 20 x 0.2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch

€732

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.