Oil paint is a versatile medium that has been used since around the 7th century AD to create beautiful works of art. Oil paint is applied in layers to create the illusion of depth. However, these layers of oil paint can take days or even weeks to dry completely. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to speed up the drying process.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Selecting Paint and Drying Media
Step 1. Use an oil paint made of iron oxide for the earth tone
Some of the minerals in oil paints dry faster than other materials. If you have to finish the painting in a short time, use earth colors. Many earth-toned paints are made from iron oxide and dry several days faster than other pigments.
Avoid using pigments such as ivory black and cadmium which tend to dry very slowly
Step 2. Choose a paint made of lead and cobalt for other hues
Pigments made of lead and cobalt are known to dry quickly. Using colors made of metal can help speed up the drying time of the painting.
Step 3. Look for paint made from linseed oil
The drying time of the oil paint will vary depending on what oil is used. Flaxseed oil dries faster than walnut oil. Walnut oil itself dries faster than poppy oil. Paintings made from linseed oil can significantly speed up the drying time of a painting. This oil is also easy to find in most art supply stores.
Step 4. Coat the canvas with gesso chalk glue
Gesso is a primer that is applied to the canvas at the start. The point is to coat the canvas and extend the life of the painting. Gesso chalk glue is great for oil paints because it will absorb some of the oil from the base coat, helping the painting to dry faster. Dip a primer brush or sponge brush into the gesso and apply a thin layer to the canvas. Allow it to dry completely before you proceed with the oil paint.
Step 5. Mix the linseed oil with the paint on the palette
Because linseed oil dries faster than other types of oil, adding a little extra to the paint in the palette will help speed up the drying time of the painting.
Step 6. Mix the paint with a solvent such as turpentine or liquin
There are many products designed to thin oil paint and help it dry faster. Turpentine is the most common drying medium, but alkyd media such as Liquin are also quite popular. Different solvents can produce slightly different textures on paintings. So, experiment to see which result you prefer.
Solvents are hazardous substances. Make sure you follow the instructions on the label and handle this product with care
Method 2 of 3: Apply Oil Paint to Dry Faster
Step 1. Paint on a flat surface
When you paint on a textured canvas, the oil will build up in the crevices, creating a thicker layer that takes longer to dry. Look for a smooth canvas or paint it on another surface, such as a board.
If you're looking for a creative project that dries quickly, try using oil paint on copper potting media. Oil paint oxidizes faster on copper, although it will give the painting a slightly greenish look
Step 2. Apply a base coat using a fast-drying paint
Using a fast-drying paint as a base coat can also help the overall painting dry faster. Paints containing ferrous metals such as lead, cobalt, and copper tend to dry faster.
For example, if you're painting a desert landscape, use a paint made from red iron oxide to color the background
Step 3. Apply a thin layer quickly
Oil paints are best applied in layers. However, if you apply a thick layer from the start, the drying time for the subsequent layers will be longer. So, make a painting starting from the thinnest layer to the thickest. For example, if there's a cat in your painting and you want to use a thick layer of paint to make the fur look more realistic, apply the paint at the end.
Step 4. Minimize the number of coats of paint applied
If you really don't have much time and the painting needs to dry quickly, choose a simple subject that you can paint using a few light strokes or just a few coats of paint, with added detail later on. The more layers you make, the longer the paint will oxidize.
Step 5. Finish the painting with a heat gun
A heat gun can help burn the oil on the painting to help it dry faster. However, if it is too hot, the painting may crack or turn yellowish. For best results, set the heat gun to no more than 50°C.
Hold the heat gun a few inches from the painting and move slowly so the heat can hit the painting. The mouth of the gun will feel very hot. Therefore, do not let your hands or painting come into contact with it
Method 3 of 3: Putting Paintings in the Right Environment
Step 1. Place the painting in a large, bright room with low humidity until it dries
Oil paints take time to oxidize, which is the process by which paint reacts with air to harden. Other types of paint dry out when the water evaporates, but oxidation is actually a change in paint chemistry. Oxidation is best in a room with lots of natural light, low humidity, and good air circulation.
Step 2. Use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate
Oil paint will oxidize faster in dry air. If you live in a humid climate, use a small dehumidifier and place it near the painting. This tool will help remove excess moisture in the air, which will help speed up the drying time of the oil paint.
Step 3. Make the air circulate in the room with a fan
Pointing the fan at an oil painting won't speed up the drying time as significantly as it would with watercolors. However, good air circulation in the room will help the oxidation process to be faster. That's because the oil actually picks up oxygen from the air during the oxidation process. So, getting air to circulate will enrich the oxygen that the paint needs to dry. You can use a regular fan or a ceiling-mounted fan. A low or medium setting is sufficient.
Step 4. Keep the room warm
Oil paint dries faster in warm temperatures. The temperature in the room where the painting is drying must be at least 21 °C. However, the warmer the temperature, the better. Keep a close eye on the temperature in the room using a thermostat or by placing a digital thermometer near the painting.
