Question about Oil Painting Technique?

Question

So I just finished a still life in oil paints and I'm very happy with the results. The problem is that this is my first time using oil paints, and I didn't do much research beforehand. I just jumped right in, and painted an already prepared canvas with oil paints (winton brand) straight from the tube. I didn't mix the paints with anything. I did a lot of layering of colors (i.e. a dark layer for shadows, and then layering lighter colors on top). So my first question is, how long will it take to dry so that I can at least transport the painting from one place to another (on a plane- I'm thinking I'll have to carry it on). Second question is, will there be problems with my painting since I failed to mix it with turpentine or whatever people commonly use? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

It depends upon the brand of paint, the colors used and the thickess of the paint. surface .Drying time can vary between 2 days and a month, depending mostly upon the thickness. If it is very thick, even after that month, the paint under the dry skin can still be wet and the surface can rub off.

I realise you probably did it fairly thinly, but I am preparing you for the worst case scenario. Also titanium white seems to be slower drying than other colours, so you might feel it in two days and find it's all touch dry except for the areas where's you've mixed titanium white into the paint. Dark colors seem to dry faster.

My apologies for the convoluted reply, but oil is a convoluted medium!.

You can buy wet carriers at most good art stores, or do a search online. The other thing you can do in an emergency is to stick it , stil wet, in a frame then put it in a suitably sized box. this will protect the surface. Acrylics would have been a better choice in the circumstances, but then hindsight is a great thing. hope it works out. Lizzie :o)

Answer 2

Mediums help you to speed the drying, get a different texture and glaze. Experiment with them. Do some reading.

The painting will dry to the touch over a few days to weeks, depending on the color. Painting should be varnished with picture varnish when it is dry, in about 6 months to a year.

An easy way to transport is to put a space frame around the canvas. If you canvas was a stretched canvas with the wood bars in the back...this will work. Go to the lumber yard and buy some strips of wood, that are called 1 x 2x, they are usually about 8 feet long. Cut them to the size of your canvas and nail to the sides of the canvas and they will stick up past the top of the canvas. Put strips on all 4 sides. You can then lay a heavy card board top or another canvas to protect the wet canvas. This method was used by us old time artists who paint out in the field and we can take a stack of wet canvas without worrying about them touching.

Answer 3

It's not imperative that you use turpentine when using oil paint- I only use it when I'm trying to make my paint last longer. Light colors dry more slowly than dark colors (except solid black- solid black oil paint takes FOREVER-months- to dry), so that's a factor. Generally it will take a week to dry most of the way, but I would allow a couple of weeks before trying to transport it without any protection. I'm sure you did fine- and congrats on actually liking your first oil painting!

Answer 4

yeah, a couple of days to touch dry, but it won't really be dry for months, especially since the paint is probably thick. Many people paint with oils without adding any medium, unless they want to thin it to make fine lines.

When you transport it, make sure the paint will not touch anything.

Answer 5

I have seen a "bracket" or carry device sold at art stores that allows you to carry two canvasses the same size, face to face with a small gap between them...

this will allow you to transport your canvas safely even if it isn't fully dry.

Do take the time to learn about various oil painting mediums & driers [Japan Drier, Cobalt...even a little Turpintine promotes drying]

Answer 6

Hang on the wall and do not touch it for a few months.

No. The paint is fine from the tubes.