Origins of Oil Painting
Oil painting is in actuality a fairly new art medium. As a
painting medium, the use of oil in combination with
pigments only dates back to the 1400’s. Prior to its invention, painting in general does date back to the Stone Age,
but paint was made by using binders other than oil mixed
with pigment, such as egg in tempera paints or plaster in
frescoes.
In the early fifteenth century in Europe, there came about a
certain desire for reality in art. Artists were finally beginning to understand perspective and there began an interest
to portray more sincere, moving works of art that were
visually more realistic. Artists began to use nature as a
source of inspiration for their paintings.
Jan Van Eyck (1395-1441) was a painter of the Northern
Renaissance who sought to replicate nature in his paintings. In order to do so, Van Eyck became intent on painting
every minute detail of his subjects in order to make them
seem alive. Eventually, Van Eyck realized that in order to
carry out his intentions of painting such detail to his fullest
satisfaction that he needed to improve the technique of
painting. He became the inventor of oil painting.
Previously, Van Eyck and all other Renaissance painters
and painters before them did not buy ready-made colors.
They ground their own pigment from natural sources such
as plants and minerals, and added a binder to form a paste
with which to paint. Throughout the Middle Ages, the
binder was egg and the final product was called tempera
paint, which had the tendency to dry very quickly. The
quick drying characteristics of tempera paint did not allow
for smooth transitions in shading, which was necessary for
achieving the sense of reality Van Eyck was attempting to
portray. Instead of egg, he used oil in order to work much
more slowly and accurately. An oil binder allows making
glossy colours, which can be applied in transparent layers
or glazes. Van Eyck was also able to apply the tiny detail
lines and highlights with a pointed brush. Soon after
beginning to work with the newly invented oil painting
medium, his work amazed his contemporaries and led a
general acceptance of oil painting as the most widely
suitable painting medium.
So began oil painting as we know it today. Although oil
colors are much more convenient, sold in tube form, and we
have many more mixing mediums to choose from than Van
Eyck did, we still appreciate the same qualities of oil
painting that Van Eyck invented it for.
How is Genesis different than traditional oil?
Not Oil or Acrylic
Genesis Artist Colors™ are a new paint chemistry, called
“Heat Set Artist Oils.” Genesis is an artist quality fine-art
paint that is ready to apply without repeated pre-mixing and
will not dry until you are ready; then it dries very quickly.
Genesis Artist Colors™ offer fine control in mixing, blending
and application, and can be worked in many states without
the addition of mediums. They are very similar to oil paints in
feel, opacity and translucence. Genesis Artist Colors™ stay
wet until heated, making them more convenient than oils or
acrylics. The paint will not dry when left in the open on a
non-porous surface. It is important to use a glass or other
nonporous surface such as china, polished marble or porceAfter ElisabethLouise Vigée Le
Brun
Portrait of Marie
Gabrielle de
Gramont
by Kingslan
Studios
Genesis Oils on
canvas
The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck (oil on panel)
lain for your palette. Since Genesis Artist Colors™ do not air
dry, you do not have to clean your brushes even if you will
not get back to painting for days, weeks or even months.
When cleaning brushes for quick color changes, simply wipe
off excess paint, swirl in rubbing alcohol, wipe and repeat.
The alcohol quickly cleans and evaporates out of the cleaned
brush. You may also clean brushes by using warm water and
soap, such as Dawn® dishwashing detergent. Dry your
brushes thoroughly after cleaning. While Genesis Artist Colors™ can be thinned or cleaned with solvents commonly
used with oil paints such as paint thinner, turpenoid and
mineral spirits, these solvents are not necessary. Most artists prefer rubbing alcohol or non-toxic Genesis Thinning
Medium. Genesis Art Colors™ are not water soluble.
Certified Non-Toxic
Genesis Artist Colors™ are certified nontoxic and conform to
ASTM D-4236. They are certified in a program of toxicological evaluation by a medical expert to contain no material in
sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to
cause acute or chronic health problems.
Origins of Painting on Canvas
Canvas has become the most common support medium
for oil painting, replacing wooden panels. However, panel
painting remained more common until the 16th century in
Italy and the 17th century in Northern Europe. Mantegna
and Venetian artists were among those leading the
change; Venetian sail canvas was readily available and
regarded as the best quality. Oil, acrylic or Genesis oil can
be used on canvas.