BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Painting Painting with Oils

I've been wondering if anyone out there really paints with oil paints any more.

It seems most people prefer acrylics today ... how about you?

I've used both and much prefer oil for the depth and translucency of color that oil paint has. I also like the slow drying of oil.
Actually, I have been noticing more oil painters at art fairs recently than in years past, so maybe the tide is turning a little.

I also prefer painting in oils for the same reasons. I think oils are much more forgiving and I just prefer the consistency. Then there is also the aroma, call me crazy but when I smell the oils and the thinner it just takes me to my "creative place".

People always ask me "How do you stand the smell of oils?" And after working with them for so many years, I can only reply "What smell?".

Turpentine is another story, unfortunately. I really prefer to use an unscented product and can't stand the grapefruit scented stuff. What an injustice to a great fruit!

I agree that the workability is wonderful and cannot be equaled in any other medium.

Has anyone tried alkyds?

Grumbacher used to make an orange scented thinner they called Grumtine. I loved the stuff but I haven't seen it in years. It really was true orange scent and you didn't smell anything else.

But I must admit I like the smell of turpentine, not to sniff it, of course, but the ambient aroma in the room while painting.

I have only been painting for a little over a year but much prefer oils over acrylic for many reasons. The ability to blend colors, the slow drying time (which is sometimes a problem but overall good), and it feels more genuine. I tried acrylics in the beginning and again a month ago but always go back to oils.

What is the choosen medium for oils out there?

I used to use only oils, but after putting much, much effort into it, learned to work with acrylics.

At the time, I was teaching many Tole & Decorative Painting classes and students were wanting to use acrylics for the convenience. One of the things I learned was in using craft type of acrylics for most things because there doesn't have to be as much color mixing. They are cheap to buy & actually have a little working time. Or maybe I have just learned to work fast!

If you really want to use tube acrylics and still have some open time, try using a retarder which will slow the drying time somewhat. Working in glazes, layer over layer as is often used in watercolors is another way to achieve a beautiful look.

But I am with you about using oils. Though I seldom use them these days, they will always be my first love!