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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, Flamme bleue, Yichao Sun

Flamme bleue

Yichao Sun

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

€1,500

Painting, Whale, Olga Nikitina

Whale

Olga Nikitina

Painting - 40 x 50 x 1.8 cm Painting - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.7 inch

€600

Painting, The island, Peter de Boer

The island

Peter de Boer

Painting - 120 x 170 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 66.9 x 0.8 inch

€4,798

Painting, Lily, Albena Vatcheva

Lily

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 100 x 20 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

€999 €950

Painting, At home, Albena Vatcheva

At home

Albena Vatcheva

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

€1,199 €1,140

Painting, Volupté, Muriel Deumie

Volupté

Muriel Deumie

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

€3,800 €3,420

Painting, Deeply, Steliana Mocanu

Deeply

Steliana Mocanu

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

€700

Painting, Saturation, Philippe Huart

Saturation

Philippe Huart

Painting - 120 x 120 x 4.5 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.8 inch

€9,500

Painting, Psychose, Philippe Huart

Psychose

Philippe Huart

Painting - 120 x 120 x 4 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch

€9,500

Painting, Rock Attack, Philippe Huart

Rock Attack

Philippe Huart

Painting - 100 x 81 x 4.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 1.8 inch

€7,000

Painting, Jazz, Narek Qochunc

Jazz

Narek Qochunc

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

€1,372

Painting, Urban mosaic, Liubou Sas

Urban mosaic

Liubou Sas

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

€3,000 €2,700

Painting, Duo, Albena Vatcheva

Duo

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 20 x 20 x 2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

€175

Painting, Elle, Albena Vatcheva

Elle

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€899 €855

Painting, Elephant, Schagen Vita

Elephant

Schagen Vita

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

€850

Painting, Heading Home II, Jo Moore

Heading Home II

Jo Moore

Painting - 76.2 x 38.1 x 3.8 cm Painting - 30 x 15 x 1.5 inch

Sold

Painting, Line Code, Khrystyna Kozyuk

Line Code

Khrystyna Kozyuk

Painting - 101.6 x 101.6 x 1.8 cm Painting - 40 x 40 x 0.7 inch

€2,058

Painting, Heading Home I, Jo Moore

Heading Home I

Jo Moore

Painting - 76.2 x 38.1 x 3.8 cm Painting - 30 x 15 x 1.5 inch

Sold

13/100

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Discover the selection of our experts

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

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

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.