how can you tell the difference from an "oil on canvas painting" to any other painting?

Question

i've got to explain what the materials of "dead sea" by paul nash are. i know its oil on canvas, but how do i explain how to find out?

i can only look at pictures on the computer, no smells or feels or tastes, just sight.

Answer 1

Well, if you know the date of the painting, that helps. I looked up the painting (through the Tate--check the link below), and learned that it was created in 1940-1941. The strong saturation of colors could mark a painting as being either oil or acrylic. Since acrylics are a relatively new medium (they've only been in use for roughly 50 years or so), the liklihood of Nash's painting being oil are quite strong.

Watercolor can also have a strong saturation of color, but that in itself, kind of goes contrary to what many watercolorists would consider a "good" watercolor painting (especially during Nash's time)--mainly its ability to be somewhat transparent and airy. Also, in watercolor, "white" would be achieved by non-painting (leaving the space without paint), whereas when painting with oils, white would be painted on. Though the image I saw of the the painting, Dead Sea, wasn't very large, I could clearly see some brush marks around Nash's signature. The brush marks, plus the heavy use of white, tells me that it's an oil painting.

Acrylics, like oils, can leave an impasto (the raised areas caused by pigment). However, it's important to note that oil paintings don't always have impasto. Look at one of Rembrandt's works up close. Or Raphael's. Or any number of other Masters' (ancient or contemporary!) paintings. They're as smooth as glass.

I'm glad that you posed this question. The painting is gorgeous, and I'd not know of it, otherwise (sad to say that I never studied Nash). What a wonderful painting to discuss--with all of its symolism! Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes prints can be transferred onto canvas. I am assuming Kevin Platt is a modern painter, as I have not heard of him. Oil paintings, depending on the artist are usually textured as it is quite a thick substance to work with, however I have seen a few finely painted originals with very little texture. The best way to find out is to ask an art dealer, or contact the website with your question. The website below has a contact page which you can ask questions. Type in the URL, if you don't trust the link. In the meantime enjoy your beautiful work of art. After all, the artist meant it to be appreciated.

Answer 3

oils will leave peaks in the texture, when you stroke oil paintings there are ridges and textures where the oil has set in unique shapes. Watercolours have very little texture as do ink. There is also a smell to oils, but maybe thats too much detail lol

Answer 4

Well, if you can look at it on the computer, you can't get people to come up and examine the texture of that particular painting. If the texture is so important, get another oil on canvas painting for people to actually touch.

Answer 5

you may be able to see that the paint is very thick, and can have a shine to it, and you may be able to see the brush strokes. A watercolour would be blotchy and very very thin it has no density, it literally just looks like coloured water.

Answer 6

It's all to do with the texture