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Oil PaintingSUPPLIES
- Lamp(s) with 75- to 100-watt light bulbs
- Fan
- Dehumidifier
- Liquin or Galkyd
- Refined linseed oil
Overview
Oil paint is known for its slow drying time, which enables artists to work on and rework their paintings for an extended period. Unlike other paints that dry through evaporation, oil paint hardens during a slow oxidation process. It can inconveniently take weeks, months and sometimes years to fully harden. While there is no secret to making an oil painting dry in hours, there are several things you can do to speed up the drying process before and after painting with oils.
Step 1
Purchase an alkyd oil paint medium such as Liquin or Galkyd, and either mix it with the paint or dip your brush in it before painting. Alkyd mediums yield faster drying times in addition to increasing the glossiness and smoothness of the paint. You can find them at any art supply store.
Step 2
Mix a small amount of thickened linseed oil with oil paint before applying it. Thickened linseed oil, also available at art supply stores, is known as a good oil painting medium, because it also quickens drying time and adds color intensity to the paint.
Step 3
Paint in thin layers when working on an oil painting. Allow each layer dry sufficiently before you continue painting. When you apply thick paint all at once, it takes much longer to harden.
Step 4
Place a lamp with a 75- to 100-watt bulb about 10 inches away from the painting for a few days. Remove the shade so the bulb is entirely exposed. Depending on the size of the work, you may need to use more than one lamp.
Step 5
Allow the painting to dry in a room with a dehumidifier. Moisture in the air slows down the oxidizing process. Or, leave it close to a fan.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- WARNING : When leaving a painting under a lamp, make sure it's away from a place where the lamp could accidentally get knocked onto the painting.
