One of the essential oil painting techniques is the so-called impasto technique, which also was used by van Gogh. A large amount of paint is applied to the canvas in thick layers with a brush or a palette knife. Since oil paints take a long time to dry, this technique has for the artist the advantage that he can mix the colors both on his color palette and on the canvas. If the paint is then troweled onto the canvas, several layers of paint can be created next to each other. Depending on the degree of dryness of the underlying oil paint, the newly applied color either is mixed with existing colors on the canvas or the new color is already attracting existing paint on the canvas with.

 

In the first case, on closer inspection, the original colors are still clearly recognisable, they are drawn along in streaks and can mix in front of the beholder's eye. If the newly applied paint, in the second case, draws with it already existing color on the canvas it can be canceled by the spatula and applied at a later date in line. At the bread edge the attentive observer can then clearly identify the two different colors. From a visual point of view , this approach gives a three dimensional feeling in the picture.  

 

The great art is to influence a renewed application of paint in such a way that existing structures are retained, are painted over or the new paint application mixes with the existing colors at the right moment in time. When the work of art dries, the oil paint can lose its elasticity and tear if the paint is applied too thickly. This can be used specifically as a means and a new structure can emerge in the picture that gives depth. I see this artistic process as creative work. I experience it as something between "leading yourself" and "being guided" and I love this game.

 

However, oil painting also has a disadvantage: Oil takes a relatively long time to dry. It usually takes approximately a year to dry out an oil painting. And unfortunately this process hardly can be accelerated . However, under special conditions and precautionary measures, an oil painting can also be sent or hung a little earlier.