The transition began with Early Netherlandish painting in northern Europe, and by the height of the Renaissance oil painting techniques had almost completely replaced tempera paints in the majority of Europe. Oil paint eventually became the principal medium used for creating artworks as its advantages became widely known. Its practice may have migrated westward during the Middle Ages. Although oil paint was first used in western Afghanistan sometime between the fifth and ninth centuries, it did not gain popularity until the 15th century.
The paints themselves also develop a particular consistency depending on the medium. Painters often use different oils in the same painting depending on specific pigments and effects desired. Certain differences are also visible in the sheen of the paints depending on the oil. These oils confer various properties to the oil paint, such as less yellowing or different drying times. Other oils occasionally used include poppyseed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil.
Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body and gloss. Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil - especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Ah the joy of art collecting.
The paints themselves also develop a particular consistency depending on the medium. Painters often use different oils in the same painting depending on specific pigments and effects desired. Certain differences are also visible in the sheen of the paints depending on the oil. These oils confer various properties to the oil paint, such as less yellowing or different drying times. Other oils occasionally used include poppyseed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil.
Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body and gloss. Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil - especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Ah the joy of art collecting.
