About Oil Painting
The roots of oil painting trace back to ancient painting techniques, but the modern oil painting technique was established in Europe around the 15th century. Early oil painting techniques replaced tempera painting used in the Middle Ages and developed mainly in the Flanders region (now Belgium and the Netherlands).
The technique was refined by the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck. He developed a method of mixing linseed oil and walnut oil with pigments, allowing for smooth and bright color expressions. This technique quickly spread because the slow drying time enabled painters to make gradual adjustments and layer colors to create depth and light effects.
Oil painting became especially popular during the Renaissance and evolved into a central technique that shaped the history of European art.
Why Did It Become Popular?
Oil painting gained significant popularity in Europe after the 15th century. The reason lies in its ability to express depth and brightness of color more easily compared to other techniques, along with its slow drying time, which allowed painters to work meticulously on details. Additionally, oil paint is less prone to fading over time, making it a favored medium for preservation.
Throughout the Renaissance, many painters used oil painting techniques, including masters like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Rembrandt, who created masterpieces with this method. Due to its expressive freedom and durability, oil painting remains one of the most popular artistic mediums today.
Recent Developments in Oil Painting
Contemporary oil painting continues to evolve, integrating diverse styles and concepts from modern art while inheriting traditional techniques. In terms of materials, environmentally friendly options, such as water-soluble oil paints, have been developed alongside classic oil paints, providing artists with a broader range of choices. Additionally, with advancements in digital technology, artworks combining analog and digital methods are becoming more common.
In content, modern expressions like abstract and conceptual art are widely incorporated, leading to an increase in works that reflect personal emotions, social issues, and philosophical themes. Artists often tackle provocative themes more freely while still utilizing the texture and depth characteristic of traditional oil painting.
Exhibition venues have diversified, with presentations not only in galleries and museums but also on social media and online platforms, allowing oil paintings to reach new audiences.
Themes I, the Painter Yu, Wish to Address
“The Importance of Living in Harmony with Nature”
“Humanity as a Part of Nature”
These concepts are often forgotten, but I strongly believe they are questions we should revisit.
Thank you for reading, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s event! 😊
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