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, Candy, Anya Spielman

Candy

Anya Spielman

Painting - 199 x 158 cm Painting - 78.3 x 62.2 inch

€19,451

Painting, Pink leaves, Andrei Sitsko

Pink leaves

Andrei Sitsko

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

€900

Painting, César, Christine Barrès

César

Christine Barrès

Painting - 30 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€550

Painting, Rade, Philippe Pasqua

Rade

Philippe Pasqua

Painting - 330 x 220 x 10 cm Painting - 129.9 x 86.6 x 3.9 inch

€120,000

Painting, VAN GOGH, Capocci

VAN GOGH

Capocci

Painting - 116 x 89 x 3 cm Painting - 45.7 x 35 x 1.2 inch

€2,600

Painting, Antoine, Françoise Nielly

Antoine

Françoise Nielly

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2.5 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 1 inch

€10,500

Painting, Paris, Josep Teixido

Paris

Josep Teixido

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

€4,500

Painting, Peoni, Tanya Grinevich

Peoni

Tanya Grinevich

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

€500

Painting, Street Market, Leo Guida

Street Market

Leo Guida

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

€1,400

Painting, Untitled, Yrjö Edelmann

Untitled

Yrjö Edelmann

Painting - 111.8 x 111.8 cm Painting - 44 x 44 inch

€23,185

Painting, Fleurs des champs, Anany

Fleurs des champs

Anany

Painting - 122 x 110 x 4.5 cm Painting - 48 x 43.3 x 1.8 inch

€2,900

Painting, On the Back 1, Célia Eid

On the Back 1

Célia Eid

Painting - 67 x 76 x 3 cm Painting - 26.4 x 29.9 x 1.2 inch

€1,300

Painting, El Mar, Leonardo Nierman

El Mar

Leonardo Nierman

Painting - 12.7 x 32.4 cm Painting - 5 x 12.75 inch

€2,319

Painting, Lilac, Peter Tovpev

Lilac

Peter Tovpev

Painting - 60 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

€245

Painting, Vers le bleu, Eric Turlot

Vers le bleu

Eric Turlot

Painting - 50 x 61 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 24 x 0.8 inch

€780

Painting, Réappropriation 5, Kurar

Réappropriation 5

Kurar

Painting - 70 x 100 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

€3,500

Painting, Terrace, Nino Karumidze

Terrace

Nino Karumidze

Painting - 71 x 60 x 2.5 cm Painting - 28 x 23.6 x 1 inch

€1,800

Painting, Nadia, Sylvain Lang

Nadia

Sylvain Lang

Painting - 110 x 84 x 3 cm Painting - 43.3 x 33.1 x 1.2 inch

€3,200

Painting, Bretagne, Georges Laporte

Bretagne

Georges Laporte

Painting - 22 x 27 x 3 cm Painting - 8.7 x 10.6 x 1.2 inch

€1,150

Painting, Icône I, Cécile Girard

Icône I

Cécile Girard

Painting - 42 x 43 x 1 cm Painting - 16.5 x 16.9 x 0.4 inch

€800 €720

Painting, I'm A Spec 2, Azeez Salami

I'm A Spec 2

Azeez Salami

Painting - 106.7 x 101.6 x 2.5 cm Painting - 42 x 40 x 1 inch

€1,855

Painting, Brou, Giuseppe Amadio

Brou

Giuseppe Amadio

Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch

€1,400

Painting, Girl Surfer, Rem Pirumov

Girl Surfer

Rem Pirumov

Painting - 54 x 42 x 2 cm Painting - 21.3 x 16.5 x 0.8 inch

€500

Painting, Seaforms, Claire Wiltsher

Seaforms

Claire Wiltsher

Painting - 80 x 30 x 3.5 cm Painting - 31.5 x 11.8 x 1.4 inch

€1,177

Painting, Aurora, Ulyana Korol

Aurora

Ulyana Korol

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

€1,900

Painting, Mains Guide, J Paul

Mains Guide

J Paul

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

€1,680

Painting, Couple, Ezequiel Solano

Couple

Ezequiel Solano

Painting - 120 x 120 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 inch

€1,000

Painting, Golden Hour, Kane Mclay

Golden Hour

Kane Mclay

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

€675

Painting, 030707, Jean Soyer

030707

Jean Soyer

Painting - 25 x 25 x 4 cm Painting - 9.8 x 9.8 x 1.6 inch

€700

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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.