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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, Tableau, Bernard Sannier

Tableau

Bernard Sannier

Painting - 92 x 73 x 3 cm Painting - 36.2 x 28.7 x 1.2 inch

$954

Painting, Samuraï I, Zinsky

Samuraï I

Zinsky

Painting - 114 x 79 x 3 cm Painting - 44.9 x 31.1 x 1.2 inch

$4,769

Painting, Piscou, Zoral

Piscou

Zoral

Painting - 60 x 81.5 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 32.1 x 0.8 inch

$954

Painting, Brush, Juris Dimiters

Brush

Juris Dimiters

Painting - 52 x 32 x 3 cm Painting - 20.5 x 12.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,073

Painting, EVASION, Bernard Rebatet

EVASION

Bernard Rebatet

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

$1,073

Painting, 97AE34, Gregory Verheecke

97AE34

Gregory Verheecke

Painting - 70 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

$2,325

Painting, Bacalar, Jeff Ferst

Bacalar

Jeff Ferst

Painting - 61 x 61 x 5.1 cm Painting - 24 x 24 x 2 inch

$2,450

Painting, Sac à main, Marion Cadet

Sac à main

Marion Cadet

Painting - 55 x 38 x 2.5 cm Painting - 21.7 x 15 x 1 inch

$2,146

Painting, Seven apples, Vyusal Rain

Seven apples

Vyusal Rain

Painting - 59.9 x 49.8 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.6 x 0.8 inch

$650

Painting, Grey Landscape, Piero Sadun

Grey Landscape

Piero Sadun

Painting - 52.5 x 57.5 x 3.5 cm Painting - 20.7 x 22.6 x 1.4 inch

$6,557

Painting, No Evil, O'Neil Scott

No Evil

O'Neil Scott

Painting - 200 x 100 cm Painting - 78.7 x 39.4 inch

$32,000

Painting, Butterfly, Liva Pakalne

Butterfly

Liva Pakalne

Painting - 40 x 40 x 8 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 3.1 inch

$2,265

Painting, Pont Neuf, Paris, Armand

Pont Neuf, Paris

Armand

Painting - 46.5 x 65 x 1.5 cm Painting - 18.3 x 25.6 x 0.6 inch

$1,480

Painting, Ruelle animée, Curtenaz

Ruelle animée

Curtenaz

Painting - 65 x 81.5 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 32.1 x 0.8 inch

$1,582

Painting, Flowers, Michael Milkin

Flowers

Michael Milkin

Painting - 61 x 61 x 2.5 cm Painting - 24 x 24 x 1 inch

$7,800

Painting, i1q, Kateryna Komendant

i1q

Kateryna Komendant

Painting - 80 x 130 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 51.2 x 1.2 inch

$4,769

Painting, Untitled, Ursula Krauss

Untitled

Ursula Krauss

Painting - 100 x 120 x 4 cm Painting - 39.4 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch

$5,245

Painting, Parallel I, Albena Petkova

Parallel I

Albena Petkova

Painting - 100 x 135 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 53.1 x 1.2 inch

$1,651

Painting, Sans titre, Jacques Rouby

Sans titre

Jacques Rouby

Painting - 102 x 80 x 5 cm Painting - 40.2 x 31.5 x 2 inch

$5,007

Painting, Lookout, Nanci Erskine

Lookout

Nanci Erskine

Painting - 106.7 x 71.1 x 3.8 cm Painting - 42 x 28 x 1.5 inch

$1,700

Painting, Lilies, Ieva Liepina

Lilies

Ieva Liepina

Painting - 70 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,311

Painting, Vision 1, Josiane Saya

Vision 1

Josiane Saya

Painting - 70 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$4,172

Painting, Sin título, Hernan Ardila

Sin título

Hernan Ardila

Painting - 150 x 113 x 0.2 cm Painting - 59.1 x 44.5 x 0.1 inch

$5,067

Painting, Closure, Sayeed Momoh

Closure

Sayeed Momoh

Painting - 81.3 x 91.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 32 x 36 x 1 inch

$2,350

Painting, Roy's, Yann Argentin

Roy's

Yann Argentin

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

$2,146

Painting, Girl, Oswaldo Figueroa

Girl

Oswaldo Figueroa

Painting - 41 x 41 cm Painting - 16.1 x 16.1 inch

$691

Painting, Shipyard, Paul Guiramand

Shipyard

Paul Guiramand

Painting - 50 x 100 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 39.4 x 0 inch

$15,498

Painting, Chien froid, Peter Doig

Chien froid

Peter Doig

Painting - 106.5 x 75 x 3 cm Painting - 41.9 x 29.5 x 1.2 inch

$536,456

Painting, 1720, Carl White

1720

Carl White

Painting - 51 x 51 x 4 cm Painting - 20.1 x 20.1 x 1.6 inch

$2,027

21/100

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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

$1,252

Painting, Orgasm, Dasha Pogodina

Orgasm

Dasha Pogodina

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

$2,766

Painting, Régate, Pierrick Tual

Régate

Pierrick Tual

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

$858

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.