Why is Oil above Canvas so Beloved?
Oil is perhaps the first place popular material used by all painters. The world’s famous paintings Sunflower (Van Gogh), Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) and Impressions Sunrise (Monet), are all painted with oils.
These air-drying oils, typically man-made from linseeds, are durable and especially user-friendly for painters. They are also great for creating beautiful textures for each work of art.
Contrary to popular belief that Europeans were pioneers in adapting oils for art, the world’s earliest oil paintings of Buddhist images were discovered in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan caves. These faithful expressions link back to 650 AD, almost 800 years before Renaissance in Europe.
Acrylic and Oil, what’s the difference?
While oil and acrylic paintings look like similar to an untrained eye, they hold very different properties for painters.
Time to Dry
Oil is a traditional, centuries-old medium which is much prized. They take a longer time than acrylic to dry, therefore may be more suitable for certain painting techniques. As acrylic is water-based, the quick evaporation of water allows it to dry more rapidly.
For painters who prefer to work faster, he may choose acrylic over oils. Beginners may choose oils with longer time for consideration and repairing before drying.
Toxicity
Toxicity of oil also sets it apart from acrylic. The use of solvents such as turpentine in oil increases its toxicity. Hence, it is best to do the job in a well-ventilated room when using oil.
Versatility
Acrylic colours tend towards a shade darker when dried. While experts have added that it is less appealing than oil, contemporary artists are fast becoming fans of acrylic. Its differentiation allows the use of pastel, charcoal and pen on top of the dried acrylic surface, great for creating mix-media art works. Blending other bodies into acrylic such as sand, metal and paper are also possible.
Longevity
Whether acrylic can last longer than oils, it remains debatable. Alleged acrylic’s 50 year-history, it is still early to say that it can outlast its replica. Oil, however may crack and discolour over time.
The writer is the owner of art prints store and online art museum
and a painter using both mediums
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