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, Duo, Albena Vatcheva

Duo

Albena Vatcheva

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

€175 €167

Painting, Valind, Stefano Mazzolini

Valind

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 150 x 200 x 4 cm Painting - 59.1 x 78.7 x 1.6 inch

€5,000

Painting, Postpink, Stefano Mazzolini

Postpink

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 180 x 150 x 4 cm Painting - 70.9 x 59.1 x 1.6 inch

€5,000

Painting, Cordon Bleu, Ellie Hesse

Cordon Bleu

Ellie Hesse

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

€1,976

Painting, Ballade, Ta Rui

Ballade

Ta Rui

Painting - 54 x 73 x 3 cm Painting - 21.3 x 28.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,762

Painting, Code 1953, Thierry Carrier

Code 1953

Thierry Carrier

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

€1,800

Painting, Paysage 232, Xi Lan

Paysage 232

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€2,000

Painting, Fracas, Agnès Tiollier

Fracas

Agnès Tiollier

Painting - 97 x 130 x 2.5 cm Painting - 38.2 x 51.2 x 1 inch

€3,800

Painting, Paysage abstrait 9, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 9

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 8, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 8

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 7, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 7

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 6, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 6

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 5, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 5

Xi Lan

Painting - 60 x 60 x 1 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 4, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 4

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 3, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 3

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 2, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 2

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Paysage abstrait 1, Xi Lan

Paysage abstrait 1

Xi Lan

Painting - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€1,200

Painting, Every Rung, Emily Berger

Every Rung

Emily Berger

Painting - 35.6 x 27.9 cm Painting - 14 x 11 inch

€1,858

Painting, Hit it, Emily Berger

Hit it

Emily Berger

Painting - 35.6 x 27.9 cm Painting - 14 x 11 inch

€1,858

Painting, Portrait No 90, Renjie Gao

Portrait No 90

Renjie Gao

Painting - 100 x 80 x 4.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 1.8 inch

€4,000

Painting, California, Adrien Faveau

California

Adrien Faveau

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

€3,600

Painting, Sans titre, Patrice Palacio

Sans titre

Patrice Palacio

Painting - 150 x 120 x 2 cm Painting - 59.1 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

€9,500

Painting, Field, Siranush Vardanyan

Field

Siranush Vardanyan

Painting - 35 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€500

Painting, Elle, Albena Vatcheva

Elle

Albena Vatcheva

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

€899

Painting, Protection, Irene Mahon

Protection

Irene Mahon

Painting - 46 x 55 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 21.7 x 0.8 inch

€510

Painting, La Paix, Albena Vatcheva

La Paix

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 23.5 x 23.5 x 2 cm Painting - 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.8 inch

€199 €190

Painting, L'oiseau, Albena Vatcheva

L'oiseau

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 18.5 x 18.5 x 2 cm Painting - 7.3 x 7.3 x 0.8 inch

€175 €167

Painting, Visions (MR21), Marie Aimer

Visions (MR21)

Marie Aimer

Painting - 65 x 50 x 0.2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

€1,500

Painting, Unititled, Doïna Vieru

Unititled

Doïna Vieru

Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch

€300

Painting, Untitled, Doïna Vieru

Untitled

Doïna Vieru

Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch

€300

Painting, Unititled, Doïna Vieru

Unititled

Doïna Vieru

Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch

€300

Painting, Unititled, Doïna Vieru

Unititled

Doïna Vieru

Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch

€300

Painting, Unititled, Doïna Vieru

Unititled

Doïna Vieru

Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch

€300

Painting, Sentinelle, Florence Boré

Sentinelle

Florence Boré

Painting - 110 x 73 x 0.5 cm Painting - 43.3 x 28.7 x 0.2 inch

€2,550

Painting, Vast VII, Iva Markova

Vast VII

Iva Markova

Painting - 37 x 33 cm Painting - 14.6 x 13 inch

€545

Painting, Pastatou, Claudine Picard

Pastatou

Claudine Picard

Painting - 127 x 97 x 3 cm Painting - 50 x 38.2 x 1.2 inch

€1,000

Painting, Duo 2, Pamphyle

Duo 2

Pamphyle

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

€1,250

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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.