Oil-Painting: This technique was not suddenly invented; the story that accredits its invention to the Van Eyck brothers is incorrect, although they did much to help the evolution of the new medium. Previous to the 15th century the painter had to rely on fresco and tempera, both of which media, as beautiful as they are, lack the power to give the full richness and glow to the pigments. The exploratory steps of adding oil and varnish to egg tempera to raise a brighter, stronger palette were taken by such as Piero della Francesca (c 1410/20-92), Filippo Lippi (c 1406-69) and particularly Antonello da Messina (1430-79). Today the colours are principally ground in linseed oil. Supports can be canvas, hardboard, wooden panels or prepared paper. Brushes are largely hog bristle as they have the strength to control the thick colours; painting-knives are also used for application. The technical procedure is always to start with a lean underpainting and then finish with richer thicker paint if desired. Heavy impasto and glazing can be employed for special passages. When completed and thoroughly dried through, a process which can take up to and more than twelve months, then a resin or wax varnish can be applied.

 

Related Words

Oil-Painting: This technique was not suddenly invented; the story that accredits its invention to the Van Eyck brothers is incorrect, although they did much to help the evolution of the new medium. Previo . . . View Full Definition

Varnishes: Protective coatings for oil-paintings, tempera, acrylic, alkyd, gouache and water-colour. Varnishes may be made from natural or synthetic resins, with additions of natural or synthetic waxes . . . View Full Definition

Walls: A painting made directly on a wall or a ceiling is termed a mural. The surface of the wall has to be carefully prepared so that the paints will have the maximum chance of adhering. For fresc . . . View Full Definition

Megilp: (also termed: mcguilp, magilp) An 18th-century oil-painting medium, a mixture of linseed oil, mastic varnish and lead driers. It is a jelly-like substance slightly cloudy and yellow. It does . . . View Full Definition