In the Limelight: Handmade Oil Paintings

The oil painting has survived many centuries of change. It originated in Western Afghanistan from Indian and Chinese painters doing Buddhist portraits. It has traveled through merchants until it reached Northern Europe with the Early Netherlandish paintings. Handmade oil paintings reached a greater core during the Renaissance period when many world renowned painters like Picasso, Da Vinci, Monet and Van Gogh flourished. This kind of painting has replaced the old tempera paints all over Europe. It is relatively more complex than the typical paintings because it consists of layering oil and pigment mixture to achieve different textures.

Hand made oil paintings use plant oils from linseed, poppy seed, walnut and safflower. Different oils have different drying points. They can also give the pigments a lighter or darker shade. Pigments on the other hand are derived from natural products like sulfur, copper or other plant extracts. As technology continuously booms, synthetic chemicals are mixed to come up with a more varied collection of palettes. During the 1800s, oil paints are mixed and started to come in tubes which made color mixing relatively faster and easier. This evolution from primitive oil paints to newer versions enabled painters to perform outdoor painting, a common approach in French Impressionism. Nowadays, more modern materials are used to attain the desired texture, color, shade and stroke without waiting for a long time or exerting greater effort for better results. The oil paintings can be improved using computer graphics and digital stencils.

Like any other form of painting, handmade oil paintings derive their unique appeal from the human touch. Every stroke and oil layering gives the masterpiece a dramatic effect unlike computer printed variants which lack the vibrancy and sophistication of hand made pieces. There is also more genuineness and reality in a handmade creation since the painter can control even the most minute detail with very fine brushes from the Siberian mink. A handmade painting also has a longer shelf life so it can be kept for a longer time. As such, it is a perfect gift for loved ones who can treasure the keepsake for as long as he or she lives.

Unlike digital reproduction paintings, handmade oil paintings require more complex working time. For instance, an initial sketch is required before the paint layer is added. Many oil layers are added to evoke a better feel and look to the painting. Furthermore, gloss and sheen are incorporated into the final layer to protect the painting from wear and tear. It also prevents cracking and peeling which can reduce the aesthetic appeal of the piece. Resins or frankincense is boiled along with the oil paint to achieve these purposes. The oil technique is famously termed as fat over lean.

Truly, nothing beats what the human hands can do. They can create miracles and better innovations as time passes by. Along with the unparalleled ingenuity of the human brain, oil paintings can reach higher grounds and greater heights of artistic glory.

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James is an expert when it comes to oil painting reproductions of famous museum masterpieces. To find out everything about art reproduction, please visit www.ArtsHeaven.com

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