Art Speaks: Oil Painting

Art is a vital part of our lives. It helps children develop their motor skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking and inventiveness. Art also allows us to see new perspectives on our world, our emotions, and our imaginations. There are multiple forms of visual arts, painting, drawing, sculpting, pottery making, jewelry making, wood turning, digital and fashion design.

Less focus on the oldest materials used in the process of painting, oil paints. History tells us that oil paints have been used since the 7th century when oil was taken from walnuts or poppies to decorate caves.

Fast forward – Oil paint is a slow – drying medium made of pigment particles suspended in linseed oil. The linseed oil causes light to bounce around and gives oil paintings a certain glow, as seen in the Mona Lisa’s face. Today’s paints have additives like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, red and yellow cadmium pigments. Many artists increase the glossiness of their paintings with varnish.

by Margaret Warfield – Artist