Thursday, 23 February 2012

Oil paint

Oil paint is a mixture of color (pigment) and oil (medium). Paints are usually mixed by the artist for each specific project. The mixing of pigment with a medium is the basis of successful oil painting. Oil painting involves the application of the oil paint in layers on a canvas or other surface.
Commonly used mediums are linseed, walnut, and poppy seed oils. Mediums have different properties. Linseed oil dries the most thoroughly so it is frequently used on the bottom layers of oil paintings. Linseed oil tends to yellow color, so it is hard to use with lighter pigments. Poppy seed oil is the least yellowing of the mediums and is also the slowest to dry. It is often used in whites and lighter colors as well as on the top layers of an oil painting.

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