Oil paintings

The technique of oil painting has been almost unchanged for hundreds of years. The base for these slow-drying paints are oils, usually linseed oil. If necessary, the colours can be mixed together to achieve the desired shade, which gives great opportunities for the artist. With their use a glossy effect can be achieved, as well as matt. It is not surprising, then, that so many of the most outstanding paintings in the history of art were made using this technique, only to mentioning the immortal image of “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci. Oil painting can be divided into two categories: classical and alla prima (meaning “from the beginning”). The first one is based on the application of layers of substances and paint, the second one is based on the application of a thick layer of paint “from the beginning”, and then spreading it with a brush or spatula.