Oil Paint Portraits

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Oils provide a depth, texture and richness in color that cannot be achieved with other types of paint. Watercolors and acrylics lose intensity as they dry while oils retain rich deep colors after drying. Oils also offer more versatility in terms of opacity. One can easily achieve a brush stroke that is completely opaque and alternatively can add a subtle glaze for a hint of transparent color.

Oils give the painter more control. They take longer to dry allowing the painter more time to achieve a desired look. The painter can work without ever feeling rushed. When the paint dries the painter can paint a new layer without fear of disturbing any underlying layers.

Oil painting has been perfected throughout history. Oils were used as

varnishes to seal and protect pictures in ancient Greece. In the Middle Ages oil paint was used as a decorative paint that was more durable than the previous tempera paints. In the 15th century oil painting landscapes and portraiture became mainstream. Since then techniques for preparing a surface and painting with oils have been developed and past down for literally 500 years. The techniques Dan uses today are the same techniques that were used and refined by the Masters of oil painting throughout it’s extensive history.

Oil paintings are durable.
Once the paint dries and a glaze is added the colors and composition are locked in a time capsule. Other mediums such as pastels can be easily disturbed or smudged. There are fixatives that

can be sprayed on such mediums in an attempt to lock the colors onto the surface but these treatments often change the colors. With an oil painting you don’t have to worry about a brush of the hand or other human error occurring during the framing process or handling of the finished piece. An oil painting if properly cared for can easily last for hundreds of years.

Oil paintings are valuable.
Because of their durability and prestige oil paintings consistently appreciate in value with proper care. Dan’s portraits are consistently appraised above their original price. Thus an oil painting not only offers a beautiful piece of artwork to be enjoyed by generations to come. It also serves as a valuable investment.