In America, geographic isolation and growing freedom led to the craft of oil painting being smothered by artistic intent. Here are some results.
oil paint
Oil sketches and studies became accepted as works of art. But not all Impressionist paintings have survived as well as they should.
Turner’s innovation was driven by his desire to explore colour contrasts and texture. But it led him to lapses in technique which have damaged his paintings.
Putting oil paint into bladders allowed painters to take it out for use outdoors. But adding some media caused paintings to age badly and fall apart.
His later paintings in particular were the first major works to exploit the visual effects produced by surface texture. How?
Rubens’ methods were extensively documented by a contemporary. Do they reveal or conceal any dark secrets?
The advent of wet-in-wet, canvas supports, fewer layers, impasto, and visible brushstrokes.
Did Antonello da Messina learn to paint with oils in Flanders, and bring back a revolution to Italy?
A detailed look at the materials and technique in van Eyck’s mature works, and those of Lucas Cranach the Elder.
The major problems in oil painting had been solved before the van Eycks. One was a reliable supply of solvent/diluent spirits.
The Eclectic Light Company 