Oil paint is a very versatile medium which can be manipulated in many ways. They dry slowly allowing them to be modified and moved around on the surface of the painting for a time after applying. After oil paints have dried, they can be painted over without disturbing the original color beneath. An artist can build up layers of paint and create different effects. These are just a few of the reasons why oil paint is so popular.

With the great many magnificent oil paintings that are hundreds of years old in museums, we know that if properly prepared, oil paintings last through the test of time. Some artists think of this as perhaps being discovered someday, even if it is a hundred years from now. They’d like to know their painting would still be around.

Oil paint can be used in different ways creating different textures. If used directly from the tube, it can be worked in a thick impasto style with bristle brushes or painting knives.

Oil paints can be formulated creating a creamy consistency and even be  thinned down so much they can be applied to create an enamel like finish. When mixed with white spirit or turpentine it can be used as a glazing color modifying the appearance of the color beneath.

Bristle brushes can create dry brush and scumbled techniques. Soft hair brushes can manipulate the oil paint leaving a smooth surface. Many artists make their artistic statements with their type and style of brush strokes (think of Van Gogh).