FAQ

Numerous things can cause oil paint colors to crack, including the application of thick layers, rigid surfaces, incompatible materials, and the ageing process naturally. When paint ages and dries unevenly, it shrinks and expands, which causes cracking. Apply thin layers, use flexible surfaces like canvas, check the compatibility of the materials, and regulate drying conditions to avoid cracking.  

Depending on variables like layer thickness and environmental conditions, oil painting color typically takes a few days to a few weeks to dry to the touch. But over the course of several months to years, it continues to cure and harden. Before varnishing a finished oil painting, artists frequently wait several months to make sure it has completely dried and stabilized. 

The best brushes for oil painting should have natural bristles, like those made of hog or sable hair. Natural bristle brushes are strong and capable of handling oil paints’ thicker consistency. 

You can experiment with mixed media techniques off-canvas even though it’s usually not advised to mix oil paints with other types of paint directly on the canvas. Due to the different bases (oil vs. water), oil paints don’t mix well with water-based paints like acrylics or water colours. However, after they’ve been sealed, you can add oil paints on top of dried water colours or acrylics or add acrylics over dry oil paintings. With mixed media art, you can creatively mix different media without worrying about compatibility problems. Before adding another layer, always make sure the previous one is completely dry.